Day 9 - Wellness Life Coach

I finally spoke with the Wellness Life Coach.

I did not think it would make a whole bunch of difference talking to the Wellness Coach.  Although I have had a career recommending life coaches, therapists, physicians, community resources, government assistance, and hook ups among other things, the idea of trusting some stranger to build accountability seemed a bit weird.

I had to remove the old skool ideas of coaching.  I can't say I felt motivated by the life coach, but it helped to talk through what I was going to do.  After the talk, identifying clearly what concrete steps I would make seemed powerful in itself.

As I thought about my plans and sorted through what steps to take, I felt affirmed that I knew what to do next. For the rest of the day, I mused about what the coming weeks might be able to unfold.

For the coming month, I will focus on working out at least four to five times per week, alternating with walking/running and biking along with weights and jump rope.  Not a bad plan. I won't win any marathons.  I will get started toward the goals I want to achieve.  First major goal: Lose 30 lbs.

Day 7 - Freedom Riders

On PBS tonight, there was a documentary covering the events related to the Freedom Riders, who traveled through the Deep South to fight against segregation in 1961. The gray shades flickering on the TV brought to life very clearly the horror from our past.

The personal stories resonated the sense of horror and deep desire to achieve success to turn the tide toward greater freedom in America.

I am reminded of the sacrifice each man and woman made across racial lines, who came from nearly every state to fight against racism in Alabama and Mississippi in 1961.  I also am rewarded with the affirmation to hear once again how people felt compelled to make a difference through action.

Today, I continued doing relatively well following my commitment to cut sweets from my diet.  I called the life coach and had to leave message to receive a return call.  I felt a bit impatient having to wait until tomorrow to hear anything back from the life coach.

The mere fact that I could sit in my office, waiting for a paid service, no different that anyone else's, paid into by the state and shared with other individuals, allowing me the convenience to wait a day for a wellness coach.  Yeah, I think I can wait.

I still feel the desire to slip and eat candy.  The good feeling is that TODAY I felt quite capable of ignoring the impulse, drinking my water or eating my fruit for a snack instead.