Let’s Choose Challenge

“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.”

                                                                            — Aristotle

If I could count the number of times I heard someone say “I could never run a marathon’, I would most likely lose that count, as it is the most common statement spoken in terms of this monumental feat. While I don’t specifically remember myself making this proclamation, I certainly did not envision myself doing it or even having the desire to run a marathon. Nevertheless, the thought of completing a marathon happens to be one of the things that brings me fulfillment and puts a smile on my face when I remember it. Why anyone would want to put themselves, more specifically their body through this grueling task is beyond me but there is a level of satisfaction upon completion that is like no other.

When I first thought of running a marathon, I had just completed radiation treatment for prostate Cancer and was seeking to make myself whole. It was difficult for me to come to grips with the fact that I was diagnosed with Cancer in 2009 but I accepted it and focused on beating it. In all of my research and learning during this experience, a positive attitude is the first weapon to obtain and without knowing this I was ahead of the game. Post treatment I had to find a way to show myself, confirm within myself, and validate that this was an isolated incident in my health journey, and one which was unwarranted. I exercised, ate right, had none of my vitals in a range of risk and was feeling great. I had no symptoms prior to diagnosis but a routine check resulted in a high PSA value. So, I needed to challenge myself to know that I am still the person I was beforehand, and not only that person but better since I had never challenged myself at a level requiring the commitment and dedication it takes to train for and complete 26.2 miles of running. At that time, the longest I had ever run about 4 miles. Yes This would be BIG.

At another time I’ll excite, motivate and encourage you with the detailed specifics of my journey along finishing my first marathon, but the point here is that many times, life experiences, whether good or bad can force us to challenge ourselves in ways we never thought possible. Most times it’s a health condition forcing us to change our diet, or some other health setback determining that a change is necessary and vital to our wellbeing. What I’ve learned and want to share with you is that we ought not wait to be forced to do it but should challenge ourselves and make some lifestyle changes such that we avoid being forced to do it. It’s better when we do it because we want to…even if we want to out of necessity. Revisiting my decision to run my first marathon, I wanted to challenge myself to prove that I’m better than I think I am and definitely better than Cancer wants to say I am and I did something that I didn’t know I could do. The truth of the matter is that every amazing feat accomplished by every athlete, competitor, layman or other was never a guarantee...they never knew they could do it until they did (fortune telling aside), and never did it until they tried. That is the clear and simple message we must take heed to and never tell ourselves what we can’t do because we don’t know, We should focus on choosing the things we will do ... .the challenges which will bring prosperity to our health portfolio.  

So maybe we should choose a challenge and show ourselves we can accomplish things we didn’t know we could do.

•  Walk 30 minutes a day at least 3 times a week (join a walking club)

• Start participating in a yoga program

• Perform a stretching routine each morning 

• Adapt meditation

• Commit to regular exercise

• Make a significant dietary change

  a.Cut out soda and other sugary drinks

  b.Commit to drinking more water

  c. Increase green leafy vegetables in our diet

  d. Limit intake of processed foods

To some these suggestions may seem like a herculean tasks. That's why the challenge is there,just start somewhere. Choose one or two,begin slowly, increase a little each day and most of all let me know how I can help.

To others there are no challenges here and that is okay. the challenge for you is to do some things greater than you have been doing. Your body and your future self will thank you. Again let me know how I can help you.