In Just-
Spring when the lame
middle-aged man
runs far and wee!
And the ground-beneath
is puddle-painful
From too-much running too-soon,
As the hobbled, middle-aged man
limps slow—ly far and wee!
The above is my take on e.e. cummings’ classic “In Just Spring” https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47247/in-just after my first run in Spring. Everyone wants to get out and lose those 10 pounds of insulation gained during the Winter months. But before you go out and become the little lame woman or man, here are three rules to follow In Just Spring.
Take it Slow – It is always tempting to walk that extra mile or two when the weather gets warm and the bluebonnets are out. That is exactly what I, my wife, and our dog Boots attempted to do on the trails on Brushy Creek. Even with a stop at a sandwich shop for a quick bite, we ended up struggling to make it back to our car. We ended up dragging our 70 lbs., huffing Bernese Mountain dog the last few yards. We are still recovering!
The lesson learned is simple. Do not overdue it with the first flowers of spring. In the winter it is a struggle to get out and about (read how so in this blog https://weightlossleadership.com/2018/12/09/baby-its-cold-outside-but-exercise-anyway/ ). Now that the weather is more conducive to exercise don’t try to catch up all in one day. Take your time to slowly build up your miles, so you too don’t become the little lame woman or man (or dog!).
Do the essential – A corollary to the first rule is to focus on the essential. In his book Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less, Greg Mckeown says that the key to success to health and life in general is to do “less but better”. When waking up after our winter fog, it is tempting to try everything at once to get fit. It is understandable, we are excited to get swimsuit ready for the summer. So we take up the latest diet, try a myriad of fitness fads, and buy the newest exercise equipment from Amazon. But it is better to focus of the essentials. Track the food you eat diligently, get plenty of sleep, and focus on the now. Don’t do everything! Do the essential well to enjoy the Spring and the new you.
Be in the Moment – The flowers are in bloom and the sun is out. It is time to focus on the now and enjoy the new life of Spring. One way to take it slow is to take in nature. Sit on a bench. Take a picture. Lie in the bluebonnets like Boots the dog! Clear your mind of anxiety and enjoy the blooming beauty all around you.
Follow these rules to avoid becoming the little lame, middle-aged woman or man. Spring into the season and a new you!
Weight Loss and Leadership 