A few years back (approximately 10 or so) I ran 3 miles a day. I was trying to get the baby weight off, along with the lingering depression I suffered as a stay-at-home mom. I was about the weight I am now, only now I am much more fit cardiovascularly as well as muscularly.
One morning way back when after one of my three- milers, I walked the small patch of grass that connected the main road to my subdivision. It was something I always did to cool down. As I was walking a car drove by and a young man inside yelled out to me "Hey Fatty, you should be running, not walking!!"
I was shocked and pissed. Didn't he know I just ran three miles?!? More than I was devastated.
After that day, I just gave up. I stopped working out and over the course of the next few years I proceeded to gain more weight - topping off at over 200 pounds.
Looking back on it, I can't believe I gave that little shit that much power over me. To let his words define me and to just give up on something I truly enjoyed — running.
Well, I just got back from a run on that same stretch of road I ran nearly 10 years ago. I didn't run the whole thing, but when I did run my time was about 2 minutes faster than it was back then. It is unusally warm today and as I ran I felt lighter, happier and more in control of my health than I've ever been.
Just as I was walking that stretch of grass today, a car went by and a teenager rolled down his window to bark at me. I just laughed and flipped him off. He looked totally shocked at this old lady flipping him the bird.
It felt fantastic!
hahhaa! good for you! what a great story, thanks for posting! inspiring! :)
Posted by: Christine | November 10, 2012 at 04:37 PM
You are definitely fabulous Nancie! And good for you....great story!
Posted by: Jana Holden | November 10, 2012 at 05:41 PM
What a great story and food for thought. We really do give too much power over ourselves to other people. Thank you for the laughs and inspiration!
Posted by: Holly May Takatsuka | November 10, 2012 at 05:50 PM
I couldn't help but LOL when I read the last paragraph! Good for you. Never let anyone define you. Keep running for you!
Oh, and someone should have taught those young people some manners. I would never dream of acting that way to anyone, not even a stranger!
Posted by: Cyranoscrap | November 10, 2012 at 08:51 PM
Good for you! It's vexing that it can be so challenging to be the person we see ourselves as in our mind's eye. Thanks for sharing- it's good to know others deal withe the same issues!
Posted by: Amy O'H. | November 19, 2012 at 07:33 AM
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Posted by: Blog MyTinyCureStories | December 27, 2012 at 06:14 AM