The Your Level Fitness Podcast 004: Rita C.
Where’s the best place for listeners to connect with you?
What’s one habit you do almost daily?
Reflection & Self Check-In....am I doing what needs to be done to achieve the goals I want to achieve?
What’s one of your normal routines?
When I get up in the morning, before I even check my phone, I start my day with "Morning Pages". This daily routine consists of anywhere from 20-60 minutes (depending on my schedule) and includes:
-coffee (must have coffee)
-journalling
-gratitude
-intentions & planning
How long did it take for the above habit and routine to stick?
It looked a bit different in the beginning, than it does now. I started the practice without really understanding why it was even important. I just kinda followed the recommendations of the personal development folks I follow - I had a hard time making the "connection" to it's value.
I would say it took a couple of months before I started feeling the impacts, and then my efforts became more concerted and consistent. Now, it's something I actually recommend to others!
What’s a skill you developed as a result of working through your weight loss journey?
I expect there's many, but the first thing that jumps out at me isn't necessarily a skill I've developed as much as it is an attribute I've strengthened. We all inherently possess courage, and I knew that I would need to draw some courage in order to face the challenges that would change my life. I struggled with fear of failure, fear of discomfort, fear of other peoples judgement, and on and on....the whole wide realm. I knew I wasn't going to stop feeling afraid, so I had to dig for whatever courage I could find and do the work anyway.
What has that skill led to outside of weight loss?
Fears resurface every time you face something new, and then again on every new level. I weighed 285 lbs when I started walking - on my treadmill, in my garage, by myself. To admit to myself that I wanted to run was HUGE - then to admit (out loud) to my husband that I wanted to run was terrifying! I didn't even tell my Mom that I had been running until I finished my first race. Taking my runs from the solitude of my treadmill to outside was a big transition, running my first 5K, then to register for a 10K (FYI - that's TWICE as far!!!), half marathon, full marathon....every level presents the same fears - what if I can't do it???? what if I fail? What will people think? Every level also presents an opportunity to push limits - to grow!
What have you learned about yourself over the last year or so?: I'm pretty strong - mentally. Growing up, my Dad called that "stubborn" ;)
I've learned that it's okay to not succeed on your first attempt, or your second, or your third - it doesn't mean you've failed. It just means you're "in training" and you have more practice to put in.
What advice would you give to anyone working through their weight loss journey?
Focus on the habits that support your weight loss, so you're not hyper focused on the scale and the "success or fail" of every weigh in.
Ideally, an activity you can learn to enjoy (you may not enjoy it at first) and focus on developing in that area. Having running goals not only allowed me to focus on something other than my weight loss, it actually expedited it.
What resources would you recommend listeners check out?
Anyone who struggles not focusing on numbers - get a Garmin smartwatch and watch those numbers instead.
I'm a numbers gal...I just am. Having a Garmin, I could still focus on stats - but it was calories burned, heart rate, steps taken, pace, speed, elevation all kinds of statistics that I could focus on that had nothing to do with my weight. Improving those numbers, improved my fitness and ultimately impacted my weight!
(good for walking, running, cycling, and other cardio/strength activities)
What are you working on now?
This year was to be my marathon year - but under current circumstances (covid) I'm not sure how that will shake out.
I'm just trying to find ways to keep moving forward, making progress, learning more about myself and what I want to do next.
Is there anywhere else you’d like to point listeners to?
Check out more of my story on the Stories from the Start blog or Stories from the Run Podcast.
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