Filled To the Brim With Focus and Motivation
If you live in the Northeast I am sure you have been weighed down by this insane heat. Hopefully everyone has read one of the many posts I’ve seen this week on hydration. If not, just Google it up or go to this past post on hydration to remind yourself how important hydration is before and after a workout.
Now, with that public service announcement done this post is going to take a drastic turn. I have an ax to grind and I’ve wondered if I should write about it. It occurred to me yesterday that this blog is a great place to share this story as it has a good ending.
First let me give some background, a Readers Digest and 40,000 ft. view to set up my story. When I was growing up I was not necessarily the nicest kid all the time. As I got older and into my high school and college years I changed a lot, from know-it-all to a more well-rounded human being. I sometimes think “Why did my group of friends make fun of that kid? Why did my group of friends think they were so superior”? It makes me angry just thinking about it.
Fast forward and I have certainly evolved as a human being having learned a lot from reflecting on those growing years. There has been a part of me that always knew karma was a bitch and one day I would have to deal with someone treating me with disrespect on a ongoing basis. Well, it has happened.
No names, no details. This is all you need to know. A person that I see on a daily basis has recently started to say things like- “what happened to you, you got fat” and “what, do you eat cake on your commute home every day”? The first few times I shrugged it off. The next couple times it started to piss me off. I am now at the point where I harness these feelings when things are said and use it.
The funny thing about the comments is that I am pretty much at my marathon weight. My clothes all fit the same and there is really no difference in my appearance (other than I am growing my hair long and it is out of control now). So why does this person say these things? Are they jealous? Maybe they are not happy with themselves? Whatever the reason, I thank them for saying those things as I have found my
new motivation.
Prior to this I’ve been working out, running shorter races and building a foundation for summer training. But now! But now there is a whole new level of motivation. I rejoined a gym near my office and am working out during lunch, which by the way is awesome to get done during the day. I am having a Rocky training montage moment where the music is playing and my training ramps up to an insane crescendo.
Focus. I am filled to the brim right now with it. Thank you person for saying those things- just in case you are reading this. As untrue, and let’s be honest, inappropriate as the comments are it is serving as pure 100% motivation.
The lesson? Karma is a bitch and when something happens to you that is a negative that could possibly get you down- chew it up, spit it out and use it to stoke your fire.
Has anyone said inappropriate things that you used as motivation? Is it ever appropriate to tell someone that they “got fat”? How do you focus yourself on hitting personal goals?
- Scott
I don’t think I would ever tell someone they “got fat”, even if they did. Chances are if their body has changed enough for me to notice it, that they are also well aware of it as well.
Well said.
Scott: I can’t believe you wrote about this!!
Last night I was having a glass of wine with a girlfriend and we ran into a mutual friends mother – at the wine bar. She asked me “Are you still trying to pursue that 50 Marathons in 50 States thing you posted on Facebook?” I replied: “Yes ma’am, I’m going to try my hardest to do it”… She replied: “Why would you ever do that? (Looked me up and down) You don’t have the athletic ability to do that – Why not do something more intellectual like a PhD?”
I stood there in complete shock.
Needless to say I’m a book worm (with a MBA), who listens to books on tape as I run at 4:30am in the morning when I complete my daily 4 miles. Sometimes I run 2xday, and I use Pilates as my strength work out… This lady clearly doesn’t know my dedication, my motivation, OR my drive to complete my goal…. I ran this morning 4 miles, at 4:30am with a group, at a 7:45 pace…. I’m pretty sure I have athletic ability – and brains. Stupid lady. GO ME!
Go you is right! How infuriating! Keep up your running and athleticism.
Keep on keeping on!
Go you! Dominate! You are a superstar and will surpass all of your goals!
UM do I need to regulate??? Who said this crap?!
What an ahole – clearly that person is dealing with their own doughnut demons.
Take the high road, but I’d def have a hard time not yelling at them.
Regulators! Mount up!
Karma or not, I still don’t think it’s ever appropriate to say that to someone!
And especially someone who is so active and health conscious.
I think someone is very unhappy with their lifestyle and wanted to try and take you down. Little did they know it would have the opposite affect.
I don’t really think it’s ever appropriate. If someone close to you is unhealthy, ask them to workout with you, or cook them a healthy meal, but don’t ever try to belittle or embarrass them.
Good suggestions
Who the heck tells you you’ve gotten fat?
I don’t make comments about anyone’s weight – you never know how they are going to react, and what they weigh is no business of mine. I’ve been working out a lot more recently and have lost some weight as a result of more gym time and more stress in my life. Even losing weight won’t make you immune to nasty comments – I had a coworker actually ask me if I had a medical condition that was causing me to lose weight. Not only is that none of their business, but now I’m wondering if I’ve lost too much weight. There’s just no pleasing the world I guess.
Well said!