Digital Running Club » Columns, Downsizing » Weebles Wobble but…
Weebles Wobble but…
Recently, while taking a walk I decided to walk on a road that consisted of gravel, rocks and dirt. I didn’t realize until I was halfway down the road that there were muddy spots as well. I thought I had stepped carefully around a puddle and realized I stepped in mud. As I began to teeter back and forth for a bit, trying to regain my balance, the silly lyrics from yesteryear began to roll in my mind… “Weebles wobble but they don’t fall down!“
As I continue my fitness journey, there are times I certainly feel like a Weeble… times when I almost feel knocked down, but am able to gain my composure and continue on. (I call them Weeble Moments, or WM’s.) As I experience these trying times, I’m learning to appreciate them, for each one challenges me to become stronger and more committed to the journey.
My WMs haven’t been anything major. For example, my podiatrist recommended cutting back on my walks for a couple of weeks to allow a pinched nerve in the bottom of my foot to heal. I initially was disappointed, but Coach Brian reminded me that injuries are just part of trying to become fit. I made it through the two weeks and I’m back on track. This might not sound like a big deal – but for me, it is. You see, in the past, if I had a setback like this, it would’ve been my excuse to just give up.
Nutritional Changes
Experiencing two months of small weight loss felt like a WM. I tried hard not to be discouraged with a 5 pound loss and then a 4 pound loss. I admit that there have been a few times when my food choices haven’t been the best, but overall, I feel that I try to fix and eat healthful meals. Expressing my concerns to Coach Brian, he introduced me to Katherine, a Nutritionist. With Katherine’s guidance, I was able to lose 9 pounds in July. (My total weight loss thus far is 75 pounds).
Some of the key changes that Katherine has recommended are:
- Eat breakfast after my walks rather than before
- the days I don’t have access to a refrigerator or microwave, pack raw veggies and fruit for my lunch
- eat dark greens before each evening meal
- don’t mix proteins and carbs.
By making these changes, I feel more energized and my digestive system is happier. I’m also making the effort to drink at least 32 ounces of water every day. I thought I was drinking quite a bit of water, but once I began to log my food and beverages, it was evident that I wasn’t drinking enough water. I appreciate working with Katherine and learning from her!
My Play Room
Another WM was feeling frustrated that I’m still not walking very fast. Whether it’s due to fluid, partial numbness, discomfort, weight, or a combination of these, I rarely walk a mile that’s under 20 minutes. My goal for the summer is to achieve an 18 minute mile on my long walks. Rather than letting defeat knock me down, I decided that I needed to add a little fun into my day. By focusing on activities that get me moving, and even make me laugh, I’m not fixated on my frustration of my walking speed. Since I have a two car garage, I decided to convert half of the garage into a “play room”. Even though some of my friends have questioned whether or not I’ve entered into a second childhood, I look for activities that I can enjoy on a daily basis.
So what’s in my play room?
My friend Kathy and I made a trip to Dick’s Sporting Goods and we purchased an Everlast Reflex Bag, medicine ball, kettlebells and resistance bands. I already owned a heavy duty mini trampoline. Recently I purchased a couple of hula hoops. I really stink with my hula hooping attempts, but I figure I’m burning calories as I laugh at myself! Although I enjoy using all of these things, I really enjoy the reflex bag! There’s just something about punching – and if anything, I’m working away at my droopy upper arms.
Recently added to the fun is a tetherball! I loved tetherball as a camper and looked forward to playing it during my weeks at summer camp. So whenever someone comes over to “play”, we include a game or two of tetherball. If there’s time, I end my play session by doing aquatics for a half hour.
My Challenge To You!
As part of my playroom set up, I purchased a couple of motivational quotes. As friends pop over to use the playroom, I’ve asked them to provide me with a quote as well. I then type the quotes and staple them onto one of the garage walls. Maybe it’s cheezy to be surrounded by the words of others, but I love quotes and they challenge my thinking.
So here’s my challenge to you! I’m turning the big 5-0 next month. I would love to have 50 quotes up on the walls by my birthday (Aug. 26th). Whether it’s inspirational, humorous, original or borrowed, please post a quote regarding perseverance, motivation, determination or walking. I’ll then type it up and add it to my wall. I’ll keep you updated on my Facebook Downsizing Page regarding how many quotes are up. (If you haven’t done so, please like my “Downsizing” Facebook page so we can communicate.)
I’m looking forward to my 50’s. When I was in my late 30’s, I kept telling myself that I’ll switch from “40, fat and frumpy” to “40, fit and fabulous”. Obviously, that didn’t happen. But I’m thrilled that as I transition from the 40’s to 50’s that I’m health conscious. I look forward to the day when I’m 50-something and can say, “Wow! I’m 50, Fit and Fantastic!”
ALSO, if you have any ideas regarding inexpensive, fun activities that I can include in the playroom, please let me know! My goal for the playroom isn’t so much to burn calories, but rather to just be active and having fun doing so.
How’s Your Fitness Journey Going?
Are there times when you feel like a Weeble having a WM? Times of when you feel like your fitness journey is being knocked down? Don’t let the wobbles get the best of you! You need to quickly get back on track and regain your focus. Are you feeling bored with your workout routines? Then mix it up! Maybe you need a play room! Add something to your day that will make you smile and still give you a good workout. Remember, “Weebles wobble, but they DON’T fall down!”
Written by Barb Bergerson
Barb Bergerson lives in Western New York. She has a passion for helping people and getting to know their life stories. She teaches part-time in a jail, is a church administrative assistant, and enjoys freelance writing. Barb loves spending time with her nieces, playing games and relaxing by her pond. She’s excited about focusing on her health and getting back into the game of life. Get updates on Barb's progress on Facebook.
Filed under: Columns, Downsizing · Tags: Healthy Living
43 Responses to "Weebles Wobble but…"
Leave a Reply to sandy rowley Cancel reply
I love the inspirational quotes idea! The one you showed in the picture is a great quote. I’ve never heard it before, but it makes perfect sense! :)
Thanks Erin. So…what quote can you share???
…take care of yourself and avoid danger so that you can serve God for a longer time!
That which you act on today will be your reality tomorrow!
Great quote Penny. Thanks!
Good for you, Barb! I know how discouraging it can be when perceived setbacks threaten to undermine the whole plan. I will adopt the term “WM” to make me chuckle and not feel so badly when these things happen to me. Your weightloss, even four pounds in a month, is STILL going in the right direction. My mantra is “Patient Progress.”. Hey, that might be a quote for your wall! Keep cool!!
Love the “Patient Progress” and will add it to the wall. Thanks Patti!
Great, great article!!
I have a lot of quotes… my son’s room is full of them:
“Don’t Dream it, Be it”
“Just over the hill is a beautiful valley, but you must climb the hill to see it”
“If the cows don’t get fed – they don’t get fed! Excuses don’t help the matter.”
“If it is to be it is up to me.”
The End…for now.
You make me smile Jackie! Thank you (and your son) for the quotes!!!
Old oldie but a goodie…”Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!” Love the article Barb…I have lots of WM’s! I’m still in the process of dealing with my own changing shape now that I’ve sold my fitness studio. I went from teaching very intense fitness classes 3-4 times a day PLUS running to working a corporate job all day and running only when I can fit it in. Needless to say my body is putting up a fuss at not getting all the exercise it’s used to, and it didn’t take long to start feeling very down on myself. I’m working hard at keeping a positive state of mind and celebrating my fitness successes rather than mourning the loss of my previous super-fit shape. Your articles lift me up…I’m cheering you on every step of the way and it’s keeping me on track too!
Thanks a lot Tracy. When I read your FB posts, I admire your commitment to make time for running! And it’s great that you take a swim afterwards! lol Thanks for the great quote!
You are such an encouragement. I am always impressed at your perserverance and success. So my quote to you is “Success is for those who know what they want and go after it, no matter how difficult the path.
Jacques A. Nasser”
Good quote Em. It’s a good reminder that success occurs along the way…sometimes I get caught up on how much I still need to achieve, that it’s easy to forget the success experienced thus far.
“Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently”
– Henry Ford
Thanks Lisa!!! That quote is applicable to so many things!
This one brought a smile to my face :-)
“To feel ‘fit as a fiddle’, you must tone down your middle.”
-unknown
Also made me think of your fit at 50 part of the article. I’ll find a more serious one as your birthday grows even closer.
LOL Since my middle is probably my biggest frustration, I had to laugh at this quote! Maybe it needs another line…To feel ‘fit as a fiddle’ you must rone down your middle…meanwhile you’re stuck wearing a girdle! Sorry, couldn’t help myself!
Hi Barb,You are are such an inspirition!!!!!!You are taking the road to health.I liked these two quotes I want to have my cake and a little waist too.AndLife is a journey and only you hold the map.You are already a success.Sandy
Thanks for the quotes Sandy and for the words of encouragement!
Barb you are so cool!!! I love your success and honor your spirit! As far as I am concerned you certainly have put the “Fabulous in the 40’s” I am currently reading the book, The Miracle of Health, by Dr. Uche and Kary Odiatu and came across my current favorite quote. “You can’t leave footprints in the sands of time if you are sitting on your butt. And who wants to leave buttprints in the sands of time?” – Bob Mowad It’s a long one but I love it. I look forward to seeing more of your articles. Congratulations on each days successes (especially those that follow a day that seemed to be a failure) You are then stronger!
Thanks Karen for your kind words. Love the quote!
Love the idea! great article.
Thanks Shawnee!!!
“Don’t let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use.”
~Earl Nightingale~
Awesome quote Jen! Especially when I know it’s going to take me months to get to where I need to be.
Okay, you think Weebles Wobble and I think of the Little Engine That Could…I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!
But another one of my favorite quotes is “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, but learning to dance in the rain”.
So Barb, keep chugging and dancing!
Great quotes Shelley. And I am enjoyingt the rain along the way!
If you can dream it, you can achieve it!
Thanks Debbie. Appreciate the quote!
Quote to come soon :-) But a thought… Use your trampoline as a “rebounder.” Steady, gentle bouncing for about 20 minute increments will help your lymphatic system, which not only helps to release toxins your body (lymphatic system) holds on to, but also excess water. This will help you lose excess water weight your body stubbornly holds on to and a big bonus is it helps to restore your skin’s elasticity :-)
Thanks for the info Jessica!
May the road rise to meet you (and not trip you up), may the wind always be at your back (because sometimes you need a tiny push!), may the sun shine warm upon your face (but not too hot like it has been!), the rains fall soft upon your fields (what rain?) and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand! (Sorry, had to ad lib in there a little bit to make you smile!) Keep up the good work, Barb. You are looking great!
You’re too funny Regina…love the ab libs!
Love the story.As I have said, you have a gift in writing.I so enjoy reading about your journey…My quote…There are 3 types of people…Those who make it happen…Those who watch it happen…and those who say “what happened”. I believe your the first one..
Thanks Marsha. Little by little…making it happen. : )
The big secret in life is that there is no big secret. Whatever your goal, you can get there if you’re willing to work.†– Oprah Winfrey I am not good with words so I cheated and looked some up and I liked this one.
Hey borrowing a quote is fine!!! I like that one…being WILLING is key!!! I spent many months thinking about it, and finally have reached a point of being willing to work on it. Thanks.
“Focus on the journey not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.” Greg Anderson
Much JOY Barb:-)
Awesome quote Marilyn. I am discovering the joy as I begin to realizet the things I’m accomplishing that I’ve not been able to do in a long time.
Keep up the good work Barb!!!
“Until you spread your wings you’ll never know how high can fly.”
Thanks Kathy! I’m proud of all your hard work as well!!!
As a runner, I’ve amassed a pretty huge collection of motivational quotes over the years. :) Here are some of my favorites:
“Never let your inability to do everything undermine your determination to do something.” (don’t know who said that)
“Great things are not done by impulse, but a series of small things brought together.†~Vincent Van Gogh
“If you hear a voice within you say “you cannot paint,” then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.†~Vincent Van Gogh (in this one, you can replace ‘paint’ with whatever it is you want to do)
“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.†~Vince Lombardi
“The good Lord gave you a body that can stand most anything. It’s your mind you have to convince.†~Vince Lombardi
“If you’re going through hell, keep going.” ~Winston Churchill
“The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender.” ~Vince Lombardi
“We would accomplish many more things if we did not think of them as impossible.†~Vince Lombardi
“It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.†~Confucius
Congratulations on all you’ve achieved so far!
Okay, I finally have a quote… But 2 of them:
“In order to move a mountain, you must first begin by moving one stone at a time.” I paraphrased this one.
AND
Man’s mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr… I like this one! I think this pertains to your strides toward health. Now that you have this inspiration and driven desire for change, your mind will never again accept passivity, only accomplishment :-)