One thing I find to be absolutely critical to my success is a solid routine. This week, routine was thrown out the window by a long weekend away on the east coast to visit an old friend, and traveling has a way of messing with our habits. Generally, when we’re away on vacation, we eat differently, don’t exercise and drink more than we normally would- after all, it’s vacation. And over the long weekend, I enjoyed great food and had a fair amount of fun and was able to escape routine for a few days, which is especially nice considering I also got a break from work and real life.
Surprisingly, I’m not feeling like my body suffered to much from being away from Quickfit and letting myself enjoy a couple of decadent meals. Because I was staying with friends and not at a hotel, we did eat a lot of meal at home and as I explored a new city, we did a lot of walking. I managed to find balance even without the normal crutch of my fairly rigid workout habits. And if I’m not finding balance every day, even when on vacation, then I haven’t been successful in my attempt to change my lifestyle and become a healthier person.
So really, vacation is like a little test. While I didn’t work out to the extent I normally do, I was still making good choices and being active. I’d like to think I passed my own test and that I’m now one of those people who just maintains a healthy balance without even having to make a concerted effort to do so- it’s just part of who I am now. That’s really exciting news.
Something else that was really gratifying about my vacation is that I was visiting an old friend, a guy I dated in high school who hasn’t seen me in 5 years, even though we’ve kept in touch thanks to the magic of Facebook, and when he saw me, he said “wow.” No, I’m not at my high school weight, but it was nice to know all the work I’ve put into my body at least warrants a “wow.”
It’s just as nice as when I see my dad for the first time in a couple of weeks and he comments on how fit I’m looking these days, or the complimentary glances I get from strangers. While I know it might be a little petty to rely on the compliments of others for gratification, it really does feel good when people notice how hard you’re working.
Ultimately, it’s my opinion that matters the most, though. It’s not about the number on the scale or the praise my family and friends provide, even though these things are really good motivators. What really keeps me coming back to Quickfit is how good it makes me feel. When I’m gone, I miss it. Isn’t that how you know what love is?