HCB's Journal, 29 July 2012

I know what you mean - it's so incredible to watch these athletes!! I have had moments like that when people say "Why in the world would you want to run a 1/2 marathon?!" and I just say "Because I can!" There are so many people out there with diseases and disabilities that make them unable to do certain physical activities, so I feel like it's my duty to get the absolute most out of this body that I've been given.. I love the idea of being our own version or our "Olympic" selves... :) 

I keep thinking that all I have to do is be slightly healthier an stronger than yesterday. It makes my big goal so much less daunting! I love the Olympics too! 

I hear ya. Last night I saw that Ryan Lochte has been doing functional training and flipping tires. I was so excited because it's the type of stuff I do. He blew them away in the water! Almost beat Phelps world record. Go get 'em girl! 

I will never have the determination and focus of these athletes. I've come to firmly believe it's genetic. I raised a gymnast who worked out five hours a day, six days a week. I remember picking her up after workouts and she would be in tears. I thought finally we can move on to ballet or piano or something less taxing. Wrong. Because when I asked how she was, she'd always respond, "Great! Fantastic workout. I LOVE IT!" Go figure. So here's to the rest of us mere mortal humans... we'll continue to walk, perhaps do a little Zumba, and maybe even pop in an exercise DVD or two. Our medals of victory will be healthier bodies wearing clothes in a smaller size and being able to climb the stairs without finding ourselves out of breath (for us older folks, at least). And at the end of the day, I plan to join my good FS buddies and try a little harder to be more diligent to be slightly healthier and stronger than yesterday and last a minute or two longer on my exercise tomorrow. Here's wishing the best to those who will be competing at the Olympics and to all those many more who almost did. 

I watched some of the swimming and mens gymnastics last night. It was amazing to watch. My ultimate goal is to be a healthier version of my former self, and every day I get that much closer.... 

Beautiful post! Yes! **raising my virtual glass** To finding our olympic selves not just in body but mind and spirit.  

Love this journal entry...kinda sums up my feelings as well. I've never aspired to great athletic accomplishments, but I always took my body's relative youth and resilience for granted. Now that I'm older, I JUST WANT TO BE healthy and fit. I do NOT want to "need" a walker in my old age. This requires me to take better care of myself than I ever have. Thanks for a great reminder...you, too, jenkie5 :-) 

Olympics are amazing. I was just talking last night about how the athletes have such low body fat. It's insane. But to be so consumed by one thing, at the expense of other aspects of your life. No thanks. And the doping, eating disorders, No thanks.  

Every small step we take to better ourselves is worth a gold medal. Have a great day. 

I can not agree more. You are so right! I only wish I could stop whinning about how I ache and so on and do just a 1/4 of what these people do. I do not want to be an athelet, but one of my goals is to be able to someday get back into hiking without pain. Love this post!