One thing that starting training has done is pushed me to address health issues in a different way.  I realized that I had to be more aggressive with my approach.  No longer could I just ignore my asthma or knee pain.  No longer could I not deal with the fact that I eat poorly.  I had to figure out how to approach my health in a more mindful way.  

So, I started by making some appointments.  I made an appointment with my doctor for the asthma.  I made an appointment with my physical therapist to address my knee pain.  I also made an appointment with a yoga teacher to improve my balance (both physical and emotional) and to teach me some stretches. 

I have been slowly figuring out how to feed myself.  I have started by committing to eating breakfast which is actually quite hard for me.  I hate to eat in the morning and my medication kills my apatite at that time of day.  As with any change in ones habits, there are many steps.  I have to figure out what I would be willing to eat; I have to purchase it; I have to prepare it (if necessary), and I have to eat it. 

I have learned that to make fundamental changes, I have to do them slowly and deliberately.  I have to remember that change is a process and that it probably, won’t all happen at once.  It is not a linear process. I have to be patient and compassionate with myself, because making real change is hard.  

There are many changes I need to make in my eating habits, as well as my health maintenance – I need to take my asthma medication consistently, I need to do my knee exercises everyday, I need to do more yoga, I need to eat more when I ride and less at night – but I know that I have to take these changes one at a time.   I work on making small changes and improvements and realize that progress is happening. 

I have also learned that being gentle with myself is more helpful than being a drill sergeant.  My inner child doesn’t respond well to condemnation and judgment.  So, I am working on being encouraging if I goof up.  As my mother used to say, “Tomorrow is another day.”