Obsessed

What makes someone obsessed?  Is it when they do something over and over again?  Or is when they "feel" like they have to do it over and over again because they won't be happy? Are you obsessed when you are committed to something or someone?   Obsessed when you do something that makes you happy on a daily basis?  Obsession is so interesting to me...Why?

Because recently, I have had so many people say to me..."Your working out daily is turning into an obsession." or "Running 8 miles is nothing but an obsession."  Really?  This floors me.  When I was not working out, people would say "You should really walk every day" or "Are you getting enough exercise?" and "You need time to yourself and you need to take better care of yourself."  I begin to do those things and now guess what?  IT IS CONSIDERED AN OBSESSION!

I can't win!  I drink coffee everyday, is that an obsession?  I take care of my kids everyday, is that an obsession? My husband goes to work everyday, is that an obsession?  I could go on and on...It floors me that when people make a lifestyle change and incorporate it into their daily activities, it can  quickly become known as an "obsession."   I have made a personal choice to eat healthy, live healthy, and I refuse to let others negative thoughts bring me down.

I know that the people that are saying these things are concerned for me.  I know they love me, but loving me would be saying they are proud of me...and that they can't wait for me to cross the finish line at the 13.1 mile marker.  My mom is constantly saying that I am going to die if I run that race. She actually said "I can't go and watch you do that to your body." OMG!  How does that make me feel?  I am a healthy 37 year old women, who is training and will not die when I run that 1/2 marathon!  These negative feelings make me feel like I can't do it and that I am crazy for even trying.

Granted I understand that a year ago, this was not my lifestyle...but making a change, a good change, should be welcomed with open arms.  If I had changed a year ago to eating nothing but fried food, would that be considered an obsession?  That is what I don't understand.  I have never called my mom and said "you are obsessed with eating like crap.  You eat pizza and drink coke everyday." Changing your lifestyle does not equal obsession.

Yes, I workout EVERYDAY and I will continue to do so. I wake up at 4:00 A.M to meet my amazing group and we kill our workouts!  My day does not start out right if I skip my workout.  I love coming home sweaty, and gross.  I love grabbing my coffee after I have showered and sit by the fire.  This is my "alone" time.  The time before my hectic day begins.  The time before I get my kids up for school.  The time before I am back to being a mom.

I will continue to strengthen my muscles and become toned, and I will continue to run 8 miles once a week and actually start up-ing my miles during the week.  If that is called  an obsession, that fine!  I am the happiest I have ever been...I am the healthiest, strongest, thinnest, my asthma is pretty much gone, and I have found and formed amazing relationships.

Running and exercising has become the new me...Please love me for who I am now, please be supportive and proud of me.  I could of taken up something way worse..I love being strong and healthy, and I realized that I am doing this for ME, and in the process I am teaching my children the importance of a healthy lifestyle.  Maybe they will want to run.  Maybe they will see the amazing benefits that I have experienced.  I realized that by writing this post, its not about obsession, but about LOVING myself enough to make a change.  It is about FINALLY being happy in my own skin.  PROUD of my accomplishments, and EXCITED for what is to come.  To me, that is the BEST OBSESSION anyone could ask for!

Till Next Time My Friends,

Shelby