Pages

DJ/Radio Producer-turned-Lawyer attempts to dress like a grown-up. Sometimes I comically fail. And I occasionally post fun stuff, like music videos, book-club reviews, or photos of beauty or oddity.
FYI: I was doing this entire blog from my Android phone, snatching moments out of my busy life for quick photos. But I hate auto-correct with a purple passion, so now I'm using the computer for most of the work. I am still using my phone for the photos, though. My photo sizes may be erratic, and the quality isn't stellar. I am not a professional blogger, and do not have time for lots of scenic poses with a great camera. I don't even own a great camera! However, I DO appreciate your continued feedback, even in the absence of photographic artistry.

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

When the Goal is it's Own Reward

Happy New Year, everyone! How many of you are making resolutions? Or at least thinking over what improvements you would like to make in your lives? Me too....

I just emailed the Sierra Club for brochures about this trip:

Uploaded from the Photobucket Android App

I'm a member, and keep the magazine in the "throne room" for a little light reading. But something fundamental changed for me over the last couple of days. Or should I say... "returned"?

[There will be photos later in this post, please bear with me....]

The setting of my vision on something I want to accomplish for myself. Many things I tend to waffle over, debating with myself whether it's what I should do/have. A lot gets put off for lack of time, money, physical ability, or for family considerations. But sometimes... I just know. The seismic shift between "I would love to do that someday" to "I'm going to do that, asap". The vague desire becomes a seemingly instant decision. But it's not, really... it's the self-knowledge to see in front of me what has been floating in the back of my mind, sometimes for years....

This looks like exactly the sort of trip I would love. Kayaking in a completely foreign place like Vietnam... *wistful sigh*. And I would finally get to deflower my "married name" passport!

What do I need to be able to do to be fit enough for this trip? So far, I figure:

1. Be able to walk for hours at a time, over rough terrain.
2. Be able to paddle for hours at a time.
3. Be nimble enough to climb around in caves.
4. Bicycle over rough terrain, I suspect including hills.
5. Keep up with the others.
6. While wearing my gear in a heavy backpack, I imagine....

Here's the rub: I am not in the physical condition I need to be in order to do these things. YET. I keep reading that people tend to be more successful in their outcome if they aim at a specific goal, rather than nebulous ones like "I want to be thinner, in better shape, etc." Before his current medical crisis, Hubby had been saying that he wanted to train for the "Tough Mudder" race.

I have zero interest in doing that myself. But I will train hard to get ready for this trip to Vietnam. I'm the only one working now, and I don't know what the money situation will be this year. Or next. I don't know whether Hubby would be in any condition to accompany me. But I'm not going to worry about that now. I will get my body ready to handle the physicality of the trip... and deal with the practical stuff as it comes.

On New Year's Day 2001, I boarded a plane to Australia to begin my foreign study. I traveled around SE Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, and stopped over in Fiji for a few days on my way home. It was the only time where the money, time, and physical ability came together for me. I had been dreaming of foreign study and international travel since... forever.... My family didn't have to means to send me in high school. I couldn't go in college because I was too disabled following a motorcycle accident. I seized my last chance to fulfill this long-held dream at age 28, when I was in law school.

I was not at my slimmest, or even in my best physical condition. I was at an average fitness level, size 14, and determined to get the most out of my experience. I think that I could have done the Vietnam trip then... although it would have been difficult for me. But I felt a certain physical confidence, which I now haven't had in years. That is what I want to get back!

So I went into my scrapbook, and decided use my photos as an emotional reminder of my former confidence in my body's ability to meet my goals. These are all from 2001:

Uploaded from the Photobucket Android App

I thought I looked fat in the kangaroo photo. I could slap myself!

Australia is where I adopted the board shorts in lieu of bikini bottoms look. The women's sets in the shops didn't fit my disproportionately-large thighs, so I bought men's shorts and a separate bathing suit top. The top eventually bit the dust, but the shorts live on in my basement.

Uploaded from the Photobucket Android App

Sorry for the hazy photo quality... these are phone shots of actual 35mm film photos in my scrapbook.

Uploaded from the Photobucket Android App

Abseiling and caving in New Zealand:

Uploaded from the Photobucket Android App

Just about to go swimming with dolphins:

Uploaded from the Photobucket Android App

I got the front seat! Ah... the benefits of travelling alone :)

Uploaded from the Photobucket Android App

All my Thailand pics kind of suck... I got ripped off when I bought a disposable 35mm camera in Bangkok. Very few of the photos turned out at all. But I really wanted to show this adorable skirt and top I loved wearing. They are still in my basement! I loved it so much, I even set aside my usual hatred of cankle exposure:

Uploaded from the Photobucket Android App

I walked and walked and walked... I was constantly moving, exploring... and so very happy and comfortable in my own skin. Did I want to be slimmer, have better legs? Sure! But I could rely on my body to carry me into my adventures. If someone dropped three grand into my lap tomorrow... I couldn't register for the Vietnam trip because I don't have the current fitness level to be able to push myself that far.

So the way I see it... my goal is to ready my body. So that if the money and time fall into place, my body won't fail me.

Hubby thinks I should do a separate, invite-only training blog. I'm a bit nervous, putting weight, measurement, fitness stats, and particularly the extremely unflattering "before" photos out there. Especially before I have my "after" photos, and I'm still living in the "before" body! I could use some input as to whether this would be helpful....

If you would be willing to go on such a blog and nudge me, let me know!

14 comments:

  1. It's valuable to have a goal and exotic travel is an attractive one. You can do this! It just takes perseverence and desire. You have both.

    A separate blog might help you; that's for you to decide. Some people find public accountability an inspiration; others find it counterproductive. It's up to you.

    Go, buddy, go! Make 2013 special.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I would follow you. I would also consider a joint motivational blog where we both post our progress. I need to get more active, and want to do a century (100 mile bike ride; http://azbikeclub.com/content.aspx?page_id=87&club_id=53364&item_id=150112) in the fall, so joint motivation could be a good thing. Your choice!

    Regardless, having a firm goal is always a good thing. I would suggest partnering it with a savings goal to cover the cost, so that there is some reality to the trip. Worst case, you don't make the goal and don't get to go on the trip, but in the meantime it will make the whole process more real.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hang in there.....life gets in the way of goals sometimes. I think you have set wonderful goals and I'm sure all of your blogger friends will support you!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great post and cool photo with kangaroo.

    I hope you will visit my blog:

    http://www.perfection-and-harmony.blogspot.com/

    and maybe follow if U like.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great post !

    Really well done ;)

    Just what I needed to start the year :)

    Love and Best Wishes,

    Janice
    the-fashion-milkshake.blogspot.nl

    ReplyDelete
  6. Want company? I'd be up for a trip like that.

    ReplyDelete
  7. You can do it!
    Is such a nice trip, i'd like do that...
    You can follow this girl, from Brasil http://www.maislightdoquenunca.com.br/
    So, if you want, you can doit.

    ReplyDelete
  8. i'm envious of the places you've been, and happy for you too. i would love to go to australia and new zealand!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great pics :)

    New post on :
    Http://Fashioneiric.blogspot.com

    Coline.

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a wonderful goal, LD. You sound so excited at the prospect! Believe in yourself, you'll do this. Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday.

    ReplyDelete
  11. You go girl! you can do it and the idea of a separate training blog is a great one! Just take in baby steps, but I bet you can achieve your goal!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Don´t forget to invite me if you do a separate blog!!! I was always thin but I´m not fit at all sadly. I couldn´t do this trip too. Wish I could motivate myself to do some work out. At least I gave up my daily Burger King large fries. Wish you lots of success and a happy new year :-)
    xo

    glamDevils

    ReplyDelete
  13. I thought I had commented on this post. Man, I must be getting old and forgetful or something!

    I really enjoyed seeing all the pictures of you. I'd love to have gone to Australia!

    I need to get back with exercising. I wish you success on your journey.



    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh, enjoy ... both journeys! If you really want to travel, I hope you kids make it happen. And don't forget to glory in the process along the way.
    Happy 2013 ... with wishes for your Hub's continued recovery!

    ReplyDelete