Happy Health Wednesday to you!
Yesterday I shared how we spent a lot of this weekend focused around Danny’s Aunt Monica’s adventure with the Marine Corp Marathon. This was such an incredible experience. Just being there and witness all the people who have chosen to challenge themselves. Whether a runner was just trying to finish the race or maybe beat a time or qualify for another major race - everyone out there was rocking it, pushing themselves, finding what it means to dig deep and it was beautiful. Secondly to witness Monica’s journey and the furthest point she has come to date (with more plans to keep going!) was so inspiring. This got me thinking that maybe on some of my Health Check-In posts we can add a few motivational stories.
As I am sure my stories of running attempts, eggs and cut up fruit is really getting you excited to get healthy…. I want to keep other options available for those that are looking for more inspiration or ideas. This week we will look at Monica’s journey.
It was the summer of 2006 when I first met Danny’s Aunt Monica. She was super sweet, hilarious, a great cook and lover of wine! Our meeting place was a family reunion - while meeting about 50 other relatives, but she did stand out to me because she seemed to always be laughing and everyone called her “crazy Moni”. When we played family games or they told long time favorite family stories she was always the first one to break out in laughter and ultimately laugh until she cried.
The years passed and it was around 2008-2009 when something in Monica’s health changed. To be honest to this day I still do not know or recall what it was….but I know at that point she and her husband decided to get healthy. It started as most people do with a little more activity and better eating. But before we knew it she was dropping these pounds and upping the activity challenges. She had gone from walks and jogging to competitive cycling. Before we knew it she was racing and competing. Suddenly instead of being the person that led the funny stories or passed out the favorite tortellini tray, Monica was the one getting us all on a walk or bike ride.
Before we knew it her biking turned to biking and running and then biking, running and swimming! The first time I tasted coconut water or heard about some of the huge benefits from sweet potatoes was from Monica. Suddenly her schedule, her work, her social life, and her family all centered around her exercise, diet and staying healthy. For some family it seemed so overwhelming. How could you stay so focused? How could you think about it ALL THE TIME? But Danny and I felt the opposite. Instead of wondering how we looked at her and Mike in awe - they were dedicated. The made a goal, was sure to make it a priority and only got better and better….it was amazing.
From all this health Monica dropped TONS of weight, increased her energy, and has gone from the funny aunt with a glass of wine to the family member running circles around us - literally. In her 60s she has more energy, more health accomplishments, and more athelitic goals than most of the family - who the majority are younger than her. Yes it has to be hard, yes it has to be overwhelming, and yes it did become her whole life - but look at the reward. She is truly living her life, enjoying her health and experiencing dreams she never knew she had….and you know what it all started out with just a few changes.
Remember as we all are starting on our health journey it is not always about being the best, going the farthest distance, or breaking records….it really is about just doing it. Deciding it matters to you and just doing it. Monica has challenged me to really take my running on - make it a goal and take the journey. Experience it not just as a to do, but watching where it can take me. She has asked to be my “running angel” and cheer me through a 5K I picked out for December and then a 10K I hope for in January and then just maybe a half marathon together in March. But for today, right now…I am just going to try and work out today to the best of my ability. One foot in front of the other.
