I’ve just rejoined the gym. Quite scarily its been almost 3 years since I had a gym membership. I cancelled it in lock-down and never really been back. I do exercise; I walk very regularly and I swim but I am slowly gaining weight.
I didn’t return in July 2020 when the gym opened up, because it was glorious weather and I was walking over miles a day. I didn’t go back in September because it just did not feel safe. Spring 2021 I decided to take advantage of the summer and spend more time outdoors again and in September I was diagnosed with breast cancer.
By March I was on the mend (if you want to know more about my journey you can click My Cancer Journey,) but as we rolled into summer again’ I was in conflict. I just didn’t want to be the big bad person that pushed the slightly fragile me back into doing something I did not want to do. I’d dipped my toe (quite literally) into wild swimming in 2019, so I started swimming again – twice a week and and convinced myself that it would be enough.
No one had told me that the best post swim food is cake. My activity increased but it did nothing for my growing waistline.
So finally, one full year on from having radiotherapy, I have managed to convince myself that even with my ongoing treatment, there comes a point where it is just an excuse. I have been back to the gym, spent my Christmas money on a smart watch and loving feeling more active again. Although today I hurt – everywhere!
I’m feeling really focused at the moment and I know now I can tackle the weight issue. It is important to remember when you are setting goals that motivation only truly comes when you fully want to do something. If you’re struggling to achieve a goal, there comes a time when you have to question if it is really what you want to do. If the answer is “Yes” then you can draw on motivation. If the answer is “No” then maybe the goal is the wrong one. Which is why sometimes the clients that come to me are surprised by some of the conversations we have. The stuff that blocks you from doing something is often not obvious and needs to be moved out of the way first.
Carolyn Trafford is a Creative Life Coach, supporting others in reaching their own goals in a creative way sine 2010. Author of “Don’t Just Dream It – Achieve It!” (A great way to kickstart those goals). This interactive book is available from her online shop: https://carolyntraffordart.ecwid.com/Dont-Just-Dream-It-Achieve-It-Book-p196854491) . She was diagnosed with Breast Cancer on the 20th September 2021 following her first routine screening with the NHS at 51.
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