As I was running today, I couldn't help but become increasingly aware of how fortunate I am to have a healthy, capable, young body that can handle an occasional day of garbage food and drinks and then allow me to run almost 6 miles with ease. I am not bragging nor ignoring the fact that I usually treat my body very well eating whole foods and exercising regularly. However, after a day of trash I was concerned that my body would revolt and refuse to let me run even though my head and heart wanted to enjoy the sunshine and sweat more than anything. Fortunately, my 21 year old muscles can take a hit and bounce back. For which I am extremely thankful! Many of you can probably relate in the sense that sharing my workout and health success has always come much easier than admitting my mess ups. Or what I would have titled "mess ups" a couple of years ago. Two years ago I would have enjoyed fatty food as a "treat" or have it and then feel a strong sense of guilt. I would have run this morning to "make up" for the trash I push in my body and felt bad for probably a few days about my "mistake". These days I am able to see the bigger picture most of the time and allow myself to indulge on fatty foods that I like in moderation and exercise because it feels good and is great for me.
I began my post with that information so that I could thank my body and acknowledge my growth. I find super important to measure growth, whether that be physical, mental or emotional. In fact, I tell my clients countless times to take progress photos to see weight loss, body comp changes and/or muscle growth, but very rarely do I take the time to see how far I am coming in other aspects of my health. Physical health is important, but we rarely forget or are afraid to speak about our mental health as well.
Though my run felt great, my mind became increasingly upset as the miles passed and I attempted to appreciate my surroundings. The sky was clear blue, sun was warm and grass was covered in empty beer boxes, bottles, plastic containers and other garbage. I was stunned. I wanted to stop running at that moment and begin to pick up every single item, but regretfully I did not. I couldn't help but question why my Facebook feed is constantly filled with health activists stressing that we only have one body so we need to treat it well, but no one seems concerned that we only have one planet too. When we place garbage into our bodies we gain weight, lose energy, break out in acne and see clear signs that our body is not performing optimally due to our choices. If we paid attention, we'd see that Earth has her own way of sending signs that she is hurting. Her climate is not changing because she is bored with how it was... she is crying for help as we are planning more days by the beach. If personifying Earth makes you uncomfortable, I am truly sorry for you, but let me paint another picture to help you understand. Not only were there other cars and runners out this morning, but dozens of little animals. Birds, chipmunks and two adorable dogs were enjoying the sun as well. Watching a chipmunk nibble at a beer can made my stomach hurt and I hope that it would bother you too. Earth may not be a cute and fuzzy creature, but she can choke on this debris just the same.
I remember when I was about 10 years old someone told me that it takes about 7 years for gum to digest in a stomach if swallowed. That terrified me and I truly have done my best to never swallow a piece of gum since that day. Having gum in my stomach for 7 years was not a fate I was interested in, but boy do I wish someone would have told me that it takes 200-500 years for a can to decompose. I wonder if my choices through my childhood could have been altered a little more extremely than my bubble gum habits if I would have heard that statistic or the thousands of other equally startling facts.
Long story short. My ability to reframe and knowledge of macronutrients have allowed me to find a more balanced approach to eating and exercising. I see food as fuel and never "good" or "bad" because, like many of you know, the minute a food is on a "do not eat" list it suddenly becomes your favorite food! Weird how that works. I see exercising as a way to thank my body for all of the wonderful things that it does for me and truly enjoy the time I spend working out. The more I learned about health and fitness, the more I shared with other people who I love so that they could experience the joy and benefits that I saw. It was not until this run that I became to understand that I should be doing the same with the environment. I rarely speak about my views because I am truly not informed, but I know enough to be upset with our current situation and want to increase my knowledge so that I can share and do my part to help. Sure, using a few less paper towels or plastic cups may not change the world before I leave it, but it could aid a movement that will impact the world that my children's children's children live in.
This morning I ran with a true appreciation for the clear blue sky and warm sun because of a deep understanding that it may not be like this for long. You have one body and we have one Earth and both give you everything they are able to every single day. If you treat yourself like junk, you will have to deal with the consequences which is sad but truly only affects yourself. Your choice to litter affects us all. Our bodies can handle a few skipped workouts or second slices of pie, but Earth truly can't handle any more mistreatment. She's not a trash can, she is our home!
