Social Workout

on goal-setting.

As I’m going through my days, there are more and more specific moments when I realize how far I’ve come over the last months. There’s a certain balance to my life right now that I don’t think I’ve ever experienced before. Sure, a year ago, I was eating health and working out…but at times that life-style was still forced. I’d work out because I felt obligated to even when I was utterly exhausted. Or, I’d make myself have a light salad with chicken for lunch when all I wanted was a burger. I left myself no wriggle room. There was no flexibility. I was just obstinately pushing my way to where I wanted to be, or rather where I thought I should be.

Somehow, magically almost, these different parts of my life have become intuitive. Tired? No problem - the hour walk at lunch will be just right! Sore? Some light biking and stretching it is! Energy to burn? I’ll sprint the hell out of my body! In terms of the way I eat, it’s been similar. Yes, I have a clear idea of what my ideal day of eating looks like, but I don’t stress it when it just doesn’t end up that way. This morning, I had my paleo omelet and then later a few of bites of my brother’s pb & j sandwich that looked absolutely delicious. Yesterday, I wanted nothing more than a peanut butter and chocolate chip cookie (are we detecting a trend here) and I got one from the farmer’s market and had a couple of bites. The difference is that I can now be satisfied with just those bites…I listen to my body now. I’m particular about what I want and when I want it, and (maybe because I know I’ll allow myself what I want at any time) I’m oftentimes perfectly satisfied before I’ve eaten every bite of it. It’s an interesting process seeing all of this happen so naturally…without the stress and anxiety that has at times been part of this aspect of my life. Sometimes I wonder if the fact that I went paleo has somehow restored my body to it’s natural whims and desires, since I’m no longer affected by outrageous insulin spikes and I’m processing all my food the way I evolved to?

At the same time, I’ve been thinking about what this means in terms of goal-setting. I’m the type of person who likes to push forward at all times. I’m never complacent and if I’m not getting better and faster and stronger (in any aspect of my life) I get restless and frustrated. But, I wonder, if when it comes to my fitness and health that mindset might be detrimental? Of course, I can continue getting better in the way I’m living right now, but I’m almost afraid that I’ll begin pushing too hard again. If I set specific goals, I’ll want to reach them…you know…NOW.

The balance I've achieved, while not full of the emotional highs that I've become accustomed to as I almost manically worked towards certain goals, places me in a state of contentment and relaxation that I need. How do I make sure I can preserve it? What about the fact that there are still more things I'd like to see happen to my body...will trying to stay in this state of mind be hindered by the stress of setting and trying to meet specific goals? Is it even worth having any kind of goals beyond just feeling good and leading a healthy life style? Is it counter-productive to pursue more than that?