The year 2017 may, or may not have been the year we achieved our fitness goals or sculpted out our ideal bodies. The desire to be fitter, better versions of ourselves is something ingrained in each and every one of us. Then comes an avalanche of varying priorities fighting for space in our lives, leaving a fitness program in the backburner.
That isn’t a difficult predicament to comprehend. In fact, it makes total and absolute sense for some of us. But instead of chastising ourselves for not meeting our goals, why not celebrate the small victories we achieved in 2017. These things, albeit incremental, showed that we have what it takes to get things started. Here are eight of them.
Ditched desert
There were times when our will power prevailed over that sweet treat, which, while pleasing to the palate, contained empty calories that would have been conveniently deposited in our waistlines. It may have happened once, twice or more, but hey, it shows we have the mental fortitude to get the job done.
Abandoned the chips
We turned up our noses at that bag of chips, looked the other way and said no. Instead, we opted for a piece of fruit or a cup of unsweetened yogurt to snack on. We are capable of making better food choices. The warrior spirit in you lives.
Signed up for a gym membership
Signing on the dotted line was the easy part. By doing so, we made a pact with the fitness deities to grind until we’re magazine cover-ready. Now all we have to do is show up and work out every day.
Shunned the extra rice
While we need carbohydrates for our bodies to function, we know that too much will spell trouble—health and aesthetics wise. With that in mind, we said no to that extra cup of rice. Perhaps, we kept it to half, or one whole cup. Notwithstanding that juicy piece of steak, or grilled pork dipped in that perfectly spiced vinegar that can only be eaten with a spoonful of steaming hot rice.
Switched to brown rice
After reading all those articles about brown or red rice being a healthier alternative to white, we decided to make the switch. While white and brown rice come from the same grain, brown rice is a whole grain containing all the original nutrients. White rice, on the other hand, has all the good stuff processed out of it. Note: Pouring soy sauce over white rice to make it brown does not count.
Took the stairs instead of the elevator
Or you walked when you could have taken a ride. Or opted for the stairs in lieu of the escalator, while at the mall. Our hearts thank us for those brief stretches of action that made it work just a little bit more. And the endorphins that we released from that short trek may have lifted our mood and given us more energy for the day.
Water instead of soda or iced tea
“Just water please,” we replied with firm conviction when the waiter asked whether we wanted our meal with that bottomless iced tea. Then we drifted into a hazy daydream, envisioning ourselves with rock-hard abs walking on the beach, admired and adorned by the multitude. Yes, saying no to liquid calories is a good place to start.
You ‘tried’ running
The operative word being “tried.” You may or may not have done it again, but at least you laced up and gave it a try. It led to you sweating buckets, burning excess fat and giving your heart a memorable pumping session that made it just a bit stronger. And if we got hooked on running, well and good. Let’s try to log more miles in 2018.
Small victories lead to bigger ones. They show that we have what it takes to get started. And by starting, we have taken the first step to reaching the finish line. After all, we can never win or lose if we don’t start the race. Here’s to more fitness victories—big or small—in 2018. E-mail your queries/comments: greggyromualdez@yahoo.com, or Instagram: @greggyromualdez