I have had a love/hate relationship with dear old February for many years. It always seems to be the coldest and bleakest month of the year here in the Northeast, but on the other hand it is also the shortest! This year along with celebrating Valentines Day and National Heart Month, it is also time to honor athletes from around the world in the Winter Olympics! These three things alone are helping me to bear up even though we are suffering from sub-freezing temperatures.
As you may remember, I love the Olympics! I am so inspired by these elite athletes and the dedication they have shown in order to reach the pinnacle of their sport. As someone still working to recover from injury (plantar fasciitis takes forever to heal!) I am using this inspiration to help me keep focused on my own goals and ultimate success in recovery. Even though I will never be an olympian, it doesn’t mean that I should never attempt to reach my own personal potential! We can all eat and train like athletes to get the most out of life.
There is a great article from last year, about the Olympic Training Center and how the dietitians help athletes to perform their best. The advice given (such as to embrace whole foods, hydrate properly, and commit fully) can be put to good use by all of us. It is sometimes all too easy to give up in the face of uncertainty. We have all bargained with ourselves before: “It’s too cold outside for a run”, “a few doughnuts for breakfast aren’t the end of the world”, “I don’t really need to give 100% this time”; the problem comes when all of this bargaining keeps us from achieving our goals.
Next time you hear that inner voice talking you down, ask yourself what those olympians might have said to themselves during all of the years leading to this moment. Hopefully this will bring you a little inspiration as you work to achieve your own health goals.
Image from http://www.olympic.org
