Champions Aren't Made In Gyms

Most of you, after reading the last couple of blogs will no doubt have come to the conclusion that I'm a little bit lost. This happens every now and then when you embark on a journey. No matter how well you've planned your trip, which path to take, if you stray, you will find yourself going through the emotions.

Confused. Unsure. Anxious. Nervous. Excited.

I think because my journey has already been so successful I’ve become complacent. Arrogant even. It’s time to shake things up.

Change the plan. Revisit the desired destination and ofcourse include any stops along the way that I see coming up.

I haven’t really relied a lot upon quotes from others in this journey and as it’s something I’m normally very reliant on, I’ll be spouting a few today. Quotes are like positive affirmations. I rely on them heavily in all parts of life. I find inspiration and solace in them.

Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

As I stand here in my journey, I still can’t clearly see how far I’ve come and nor do I see the goal as something achievable. I need to set myself mini goals and have faith in my journey that I will reach my destination. I think that even though friends and family are now starting to notice the changes, I still see the same person in the mirror. I know I’m changing as the sizes of my uniform are decreasing but to my naked eye, I see no change. I’ve been told it can take time for your own mind to catch up to where you’re at.

Champions aren't made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them -- a desire, a dream, a vision.

Muhammad Ali, American Boxer

This quote really hit home with me this week as I’ve been planning my exercise, planning on getting a PT and really smashing the next few weeks to give me a new lease on life and this journey. I think part of me is finally starting to realise that it’s not the exercise and food that is becoming me, it’s my new found attitude. My “can do” attitude. “Can’t” doesn’t really exist in my vocabulary these days and it feels fantastic.

If you don't know where you're going,
any road will take you there.
- Lewis Carroll (Alice in Wonderland)

This is another quote highlighting the importance of planning our journeys. I spent many years on a weightloss journey where I had made no plans, I had no control and inevitably, I had no success. Once you’ve set your clear goals, including mini milestone goals, you are already closer to achieving. I’m not promising the journey will be easy – it won’t be, but it will be worth every drop of sweat.

I want to do a quick shout out to RockyMel – the support and motivation that you’ve provided through my “lost” time is invaluable. Without your words of wisdom, I would not have come to where I am today! Thanks for your support xo

Also, to everyone else who comments, emails and facebooks their support to me, I know I’m not alone on this journey because you all guide me.

I will leave you with one final quote that I think really sums up where I’m at.

To live is to choose. But to choose well,
you must know who you are and what you stand for,
where you want to go and why you want to get there.
- Kofi Annan

I know where I'm at in my journey.

I know where I'm heading.

I know I will get there.