Change One Thing

[LoungeLizaard]

Morning Gang - Hope you all sticking with it now we are past quitters day (19th Jan). The mornings are starting to get lighter, albeit slightly chillier at the moment!!

I wanted to share something that's happened at work this week. For those that don't know me, I've done C25K twice (through injury) and have since moved onto 10k's and improving my eating habits etc etc and I've become a bit of an evangelist for C25K and will readily bore the pants of anyone that shows even the slightest interest in health! I've turned into a bit of a lurker here, I read a lot of the posts, but don't often comment/post.

We recently had our company Christmas meal / night out (in Jan!) and I remained on topic for anyone that would listen. The uninitiated at the meal made the mistake of asking me how my running was going (more fool them!), but one guy really took it all to heart and was asking loads of questions. His wife was almost desperately begging me to make him do it lol... as he was completely non committal.

The following Monday he came into the office and said he wanted to download the apps, and learn more about it so he could start. He's overweight, smokes and currently does no exercise.

On the Tuesday he went and did he first run W1R1 and love it and came into work buzzing. We ended up chatting for ages about how he wanted to change his habits etc and I told him just change one thing, only one for now. This is an old mantra I read somewhere else, but he has completely embraced it and is now asking about other aspects.

It then occurred to me that he was actually inspiring me with his enthusiasm and desire to improve..... This really is infectious!

So the message to those on the C25K path is stick at it. Don't try and change your world overnight, just change one thing! (stick at C25K) and when that becomes the norm, tackle something else (eating or smoking). Don't compare yourselves to others, just strive to be better than you were yesterday.

Happy running!

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

A great post to read, happy running to you

[Wenderwoo Graduate]

Lovely inspirational post, and well done for spreading the word 👍😁

[Debston Graduate]

Really great that you have inspired him to give it a go and you're right that trying to make too many changes all at once can be too overwhelming. I hadn't heard of quitters day - is that when people abandon their new year resolutions?

[LoungeLizaard Graduate in reply to Debston]

Yes! Apparently the 19th Jan is statistically when most people give up on their NY resolutions etc.

[Sadie-runs Graduate]

So many great messages in this post, Mitch. Thank you! 😘 The change one thing at a time is great advice. Often, one change motivates you/inspires you to make another change quite organically anyway, and it is less daunting when it happens that way. 👍

[LoungeLizaard Graduate in reply to Sadie-runs]

100% Sadie-runs - That was my message to him, which ultimately made me think about posting it and his story here - with a view to help those struggling and thinking they had to go "all out" at the same time. Just change one thing at at time, some of the other things will happen naturally (I believe I might have said almost the same as you above lol)

[SteveWebbo Graduate]

So true this - if you try to change too much too soon it is hard to maintain . I have been slowly changing (evolving) into a runner and I love it . The diet , core exercises and lifestyle choices just seem to be naturally following the pattern . Great post

[Dexy5 Graduate]

Hello loungelizaard, I think work Christmas dos in January are a great idea ( so long as you not doing a dry January). I’m sure you get a far better meal when you aren’t on the December conveyor belt and there are lots of meal deals around too.

I’m a bit of a c25k evangelist as well, just can’t stop myself . Isn’t it great when someone you know takes it up and you see that big smile when they’ve achieved the next run? I am sure it will help him to have you to talk to too.

If we all just recruit one more runner, just think how healthy everyone will be.

[linda9389 Graduate]

Brilliant 😍😍😍

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Isn't it great when you find someone that will listen . Great you have inspired this guy to try c25k.

You're right about taking one thing at a time.

I stopped smoking in April 2013 then put on 4st 6lbs . Eventually in 2018 I had to quit the mountain of chocolate I was eating then started c25k. Nearly back down to my should be weight.

Keep talking , you never know you might inspire someone else 😊😊

[Speedy60 Graduate]

Lovely to hear. And you're quite right - the main reason I keep posting here is because talking to new people reminds me how far I've come and inspires me to keep going.

Happy running.