Lane 8 Is A Metaphor For Our Lives
Lane 8 is:
It’s tempting to write Lane 8 as a “Runner’s Blog” It’s not.
It’s tempting to read Lane 8 as a “Runner’s Blog”. Don’t.
If you currently struggle with your health, imagine what you’re going to be faced with in the years to come, if you don’t start to get a handle on it now.
We Do Forget
What is wellness?
Wellness is the overall balance between life’s four big decisions:
Many think balance is only two-sided. You know, personal and professional balance.
This is where people have a huge opportunity. Life is four, not two.
This is why so many people struggle. Why so many fail.
Being good in three out of four doesn’t deliver balance, happiness, or peace.
Balance Defined
Celebrate Our Body, Our Health
There are two ways to look at our bodies.
As a temple.
As a burden.
How is it with you?
Betcha Lane 8 scares, annoys, angers and otherwise does just about everything it can to challenge those few brave souls that have the guts to keep coming back.
A challenge to find a purpose for being healthy. Don’t look for a reason. Find a purpose.
Well begun is half done.
Well, I haven’t done everything. I haven’t ever said it’s acceptable to be unhealthy.
Lane 8 Is Impossible
How long have you been on your journey to live a healthy, or healthier, lifestyle?
How many times have you tried, but soon found your motivation waning?
How many times – perhaps like now with the Olympics – do you really get serious and really get excited about becoming totally committed?
At some point, we have to come face to face with the truth about our habits.
And only a few will actually transform themselves.
Do you get this concept yet?
Don't Do It
Quitting.
He's Counting On A Role Model (for life)
Ever struggle with your motivation to exercise or with making smart food choices?
(If you said no, you’re lying)
Yesterday while at Gold’s Gym Orlando, I asked one of the staff, “What is it that makes some people commit to exercise for a lifetime and others quit after a few weeks?”
What do you think? How would you answer it?
I suggested that we can not do it for ourselves, we must do it for someone else. If we fail, we only let ourselves down. But if we do it for someone else and we fail, we let them down.
The other person challenged my rational (which is exciting), and in the speed of the day, neither one of us, in this casual conversation, really had a desire to debate this further at that moment.
Yet on the drive home, what I had been trying to say was revealed. We need to be a role model for great health habits. This is the secret that eludes people.
You must be someone’s role model, for life. This means you can not fail. There is no greater motivation.
If this is flying over your head, you’re at huge risk to miss this simple, but compelling health secret.
Easy? Fast? Lies!
What does it take, day after day, to stay motivated?
That’s really the difference between a casual approach and a committed approach.
You knew that, right?
If you don’t dream big (like for the rest of your life), you lose.
Big is not:
Big is only one thing:
Got it?
Good. Enjoy your food and your exercise today.
Yes. If you don’t know what this means, there’s still hope for you.
There are hundreds of ideas here at Lane 8.
But they are of no use if you don’t do something, like read them.
Here’s today’s biscuit.
Master's Athlete of the Year, Rita Hanscom
Rita Hanscom was selected as Master’s Track and Field Athlete of the Year for 2009.
Rita Hanscom (San Diego, Calif.): Named World Masters Athlete of 2009 by the IAAF and World Masters Athletics after winning five gold medals in Lahti and setting a world record in the W55 heptathlon. She’s a deputy attorney general for the state of California.
The photo above is from the 2009 Master’s Track & Field Outdoor World Championships in Lahti, Finland. It was a privilege to meet Rita and her son and daughter.
In Finland, there was a sense of community and fellowship among the 5,300 athletes from 80 countries. It’s challenging to explain. It was unique, competitive, healthy and vibrant, supportive. Amazingly supportive.
Who couldn’t use as much of that that the law will allow, in pursuing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle?
Shot Put
USATF Press Release, February 8, 2010: United States Largest Master’s Track & Field Indoor World Championships Ever, heading to Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada.
Click here to read the official USATF Press Release.
The past few weeks have been a painful reminder how challenging it is to stay motivated. Most of us can eventually find a compelling reason(s) to get healthy.
Few of us find compelling, long-term reasons.
That is why it is essential to figure out a million ways to stay motivated. A million. Are ya with me. Succeed or fail. There is no middle ground.
USA Track and Field does it for me. For now.
What’s doing it for you?