I've Fallen...But I Got Back Up

My family welcomed a new member this week.  Daisy is a rescue mini lab (we think) who is the absolute sweetest love.  Yes, I confess! This momma who was the only one who did NOT want a dog is smitten.
However, she is an interruption to my comfortable morning routine:

• wake up
• throw on my workout clothes
• get a cup of coffee
• write my 750 words 
• crush a 30 minute workout in my living room
• shower and take on my day​

Yup...I had a pretty good thing going on...

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That has all changed

Those puppy dog eyes (literally) have completely thrown a wrench into my whole morning.  It is day 2 and I have already missed workouts, chased her sneaker stealing butt all over and picked up multiple accidents left behind. How does something so small poop so much! Not to mention these little "gifts" have destroyed the aroma of that first cup of coffee.
But that face....

Lessons from a Fur Baby

Day 2 of mothering a fur baby and she has already taught me a valuable lesson. 
During our morning walk, she managed to get under my feet, dropping me like a ton of bricks to the ground, directly on my knee.  Ouch is an understatement.
I've Fallen...
I'm frustrated and angry, but digging deeper I realize it is not with her. The emotions I am feeling come from deep within.  While there is no doubt I have physically fallen, it is not the physical pain that hurts.
Taking the time to reflect on what is really going on, I realize the current pandemic has allowed an extra 15 pounds to creep back onto my body.  Bringing this added weight down as it did from my trip, I also realize I hate this. I hate how I feel. I hate how I look.  This tumble is a reminder that I have fallen in more ways than one.
I want to use this as an excuse. 
"I can't because I fell..."
"I can't because I am injured..."
"I can't because it hurts..."
 It would be so east to just stay down.  Put my knee up with a bag of ice and wallow.  Stay angry and blame someone or something external.
Or I could get up.

GET UP!!!

I cannot blame my weight gain on COVID or a new puppy or getting tripped.
As I reflect on the current situation, the new changes that have redirected my morning, the number on the scale, the range of emotions I feel, I begin to realize this fall may be exactly what I needed.
I am the one in control of how I feel, how I look and what direction I need to go to make things better. This is no ones responsibility but my own and no one is going to make it better for me.  That reality stings, but sometimes it takes a little bit of pain and discomfort to push us out of our comfort zone and a stagnant, mundane lifestyle.  This pain knocks us down and leaves us with a choice...

Stay down or get back up?

There is a Japanese Proverb that I have always loved.  "Fall Down Seven Times, Stand Up Eight".. Never before have I understood the true meaning until today.  I fell down physically and emotionally.  Gaining weight that I have worked so hard to lose and maintain is truly discouraging. It brings me down and tries to hold me down.
But I also know it is within me to get back up.
It will be hard.
Temptation and excuses will forever try and pull me back.
But I am the ONLY ONE who can get myself back up.

Maybe you can relate. Have you tried every diet? Have you lost the weight only to regain it back? Feel like you were dying in an exercise class that you once crushed no problem?  
It's OK!
You have fallen.  Who or what tripped you?  What hurts (physically and emotionally)?  What is it that weighs you down, or pulls you to stay down?  Acknowledge it! Name it! 
You have fallen...and now you have a choice.
Will you stay down?
Or will you get back up?

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