Part of the appeal of the name Training Wheels is that we are in a new season of our lives. We are learning to live differently for the first time. Truman and I are both 30-something professionals who have given our lives to our career development. We moved to this quaint beach town 18 months ago with the hopes of downshifting into a slower pace of life.
I currently work 58 hours a week on an easy week, probably 80 hours on a hard week. I am still coming to terms with the demands of my profession. Tonight I had a major breakthrough, an "Aha moment" as Oprah would say!
I currently work 58 hours a week on an easy week, probably 80 hours on a hard week. I am still coming to terms with the demands of my profession. Tonight I had a major breakthrough, an "Aha moment" as Oprah would say!
Nathaniel Branden, PhD has written a great book entitled Taking Responsibility: Self-Reliance and the Accountable Life. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT to EVERYONE! I am reading through this book and am prompted to take greater responsibility for my physical and emotional health. I am not going to be a victim of my workweek any longer. I am unwilling to compromise and accept the fall-out of a lifetime of working 60-80 hour weeks! Don't get me wrong, I saw my parents do it. I have great respect for work ethic and working hard.
I am responsible for my physical well-being. I am the cause of my physical condition. I am responsible for my weight and fitness. My sense of self expands when I exercise with awareness and accountability. I am not a victim of my job. No one will come to save me. I take full responsibility for my physical health. I will make my health a priority by scheduling exercise into my day.
All this to say that I have decided to begin work 30 minutes later on Monday, and leave 30 minutes earlier on Wednesday. I think this will enable me to get to the gym almost every day of the week. I know it sounds crazy that I can only rationalize working one less hour a week! But, it is a start!
My weight has always fluctuated within a 20 lb range. I've felt my best when I was 146 lbs. That was 6 years ago and again 10 years ago. I would accept 148-150 lbs, but I usually I am around 156. Unfortunately, my weight effects every aspect of my self-esteem and sex drive. It is time for me to take responsibility for my own weight!
I am ready to work less. Monday morning I can lift weights and StairMaster, Tuesday evening yoga, Wednesday evening swimming, Thursday evening yoga class, Friday running, then Saturday and Sunday is whatever suits me!
~Lauren
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Wow! That's great! Good for you for making the decision to take control of your health! Can't wait to read about your progress!
ReplyDeleteTruman said that he didn't think working 58 hours was that much, so I felt obligated to really calculate my honest working hours. For the four weeks in January: 65, 106, 95, and 66 hours respectively. I was selling myself short with the 58, I guess.
ReplyDeleteLauren