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Today I was reminded of something my college swim coach said to me my Junior year: “Every team needs someone like you.”
What she really meant was: “Every team needs someone who sucks, but is there anyway.”
I was a terrible swimmer by college swim team standards; had there been any swim program to speak of that year I wouldn’t have made the cut. As it was, I was a “body,” and my mere presence counted for a point or two each meet, so there I was.
In February of this year I started working out again (after a VERY long time) with a “cross-fit-like” program at a gym near my studio.
I am not a small woman. I started out wanting to lose weight, but after two-plus months at it, I don’t think I’ve lost a single pound. That’s okay; losing weight is now about fifth on my list of reasons why I’m still at it, after “feeling better mentally,” “no more lower back pain,” “able to pick up and carry Liam safely,” and “sleeping better.”
Still, I’m the worst in the class. When we run around the city block, my fellow runners pass me at alarming rates. How did they get so fast?
But they also cheer me on as they go by. Hearing things like “good job!” and “keep it up!” does, indeed, help me keep it up. Their encouragement is super helpful for me and probably fun for them, too, since they get to be both encouraging AND kick my butt!
😀
You are exercising and whatever you are doing is making you feel and sleep better. GOOD FOR YOU!
Love the critter on the top is it a drawing with collage?
Ha… it’s a piece of trash I found on the ground this morning. I scanned it in and added the eyes digitally.
Forgot to say exercising isn’t a race. I am about to start doing the same thing and I know I will be embarrassed about where ever my base line is. 🙂
Thanks for the smile this brought. Great job!
It is all baby steps. We all have to start somewhere. It gets better and easier. Keep at it.
This applies to doing art or other things too. Why do we all feel like we have to be a superstar to do things we love (or know we should be doing?) Great post, Carla.
My hat’s off to you!
I’m almost always one of the oldest / biggest / slowest people in my Crossfit gym, too. But there’s a strong sense of community…mutual cheerleading and shared suffering…that keeps me going back. Even the crazy fit people are sweating and struggling as much as I am. Yeah, maybe they’re running faster or lifting more weights, but they’re pushing themselves hard, and they’re every bit as glad as I am when the workout is over. So even though by some standards we kind of suck, by other standards we’re pretty bad-ass.
Usually I am the oldest or slowest – not the biggest, because in my growing up years I lived with a family of large people – so the smallest was laughed at. But I am usually the most active and healthiest. At the last Journalfest it made me happy when I saw your white hair far down the beach obviously running! I often get a lecture about running at my age – sheesh…and yes every T-day to New Years (at least) I stop moving…and then it takes forever to get going again…I just would like to congratulate you for not stopping forever and giving up.
Carla, I spent two years swimming in the slowest lane of our team. Your arms will still get much sleeker and your whole body will build tone regardless of which lane you’re in! Go for it! And dream of a lake swim. I did 3 lake swims last summer — glorious!
Thanks for the visual, Carla. Too funny.
Athletes bug me anyhow. 😉
It’s just like what you did for me when I took your classes! 🙂
Hey, at least you’re there! More than I can say. Keep up the good work. And, I love your garbage critter.
I worked out for over a year without losing weight. (Had to stop eating sugar to do that!) BUT – I felt better, slept better, had far more energy, was emotionally more stable. There are sooo many benefits and the team you are with ALL benefit from every presence there. I love your attitude.
And yes – there are days we suck at our art. Everybody has to do that sometimes or we’d be really boring. We’d be doing the same old thing in our same old comfort zone and never get any better if we didn’t suck at something sometimes.
Thanks for the reminder!
Working out and staying healthy is not a competition, much like art is not a competition. You definitely get a gold star from me for sticking with the workouts!
And how many of your super speedy classmates would have noticed a bit of trash and made it into art? You can beat the pants off them in your arena. S’all good. 🙂
Oh geeze Carla, this guy sucks so bad he’s actually sucked himself into cuteness. Now, see, all your gym buddies are probably secretly glad they’re not last…you are the one giving every s-i-n-g-l-e one of them the ‘lift’ they need for their day!!! Just like Atlas…you are the giver of the lift and the bearer of that load!!! And no, my middle name is not Pollyanna!
You made me smile! So did your cute little “trash” guy 🙂
Holding grandchildren is worth the effort!
I love the word, “suck.” I love your post.
Hi Carla,
Thanks for the sweet inspiring snapshot of life! Made me smile. I love the part about how the other people are encouraging you.
Oh, you keep it up, Carla! It’s sooooooooooooo worth it. Having lost 70 pounds over the last 12 years, I can assure you of that. Taking it off slowly, and healthily, keeps it off. You should be proud of yourself!
Dear Carla,
You touch my heart with your small stories from your life or from your heart. You are so forthright ( did I chose the right word?- it´s not my language!) that I often get courage from your words. Thank you!
Love this post, love hearing your not a superstar in everything you do (because you are most of the time). Nice to see a gal with humor who is struggling along like us all. I am a BODY lots of time and figure I make the rest of them feel real good, yep that’s our role sometimes, still chuckling.
I’m Proud of you too!!! Thank you for your post! It’s VERY inspiring! To say the least!!!
Love your trash creature, … and nobody is perfect, that’s it – and it’s good.
Went to “aquajogging” today! Great – seemed to be one of the younger ones (I’m turning 60…) but that did not mean anything…Carla, it was like “highschool-swimming-revisited”…I came last!!!! Some things never change!
Carry on…eva
Thank you so much for this post – on several levels! A good reminder for me that it is okay to suck sometimes 😀
Yeup, I feel it’s perfectly ok to suck in some areas of my life. It gives me things to strive for and achieve. It’s hard for me to imagine running around a block much less being the leader of the pack. I prefer walking, thank you very much. You always inspire me and I think that makes you fantastic. 🙂