My alarm went off early this morning, but instead of putting on my exercise clothes, I dress in business casual and head out the door before anyone else in the house. I drive to BART, hoping to find a parking space before it’s full, hoping to remember how to buy a ticket, nervous about how to pay for parking inside of the terminal, and hoping I will know which train to get on and in what direction. I make it on the train, and I even get a seat. I safely arrive in San Francisco and follow BART’s walking directions to the location of my all day Communication Training. Ten minutes later I realize I am going the wrong direction. Turning around, and thankful I am very early, I find the office I’m looking for, which is literally at the base of the BART exit, across the street from where I came up from the underground ten minutes prior. Still early, I’m thankful I made it to the training.
Why do I tell you this story? What was I feeling? I was oddly ANXIOUS. Why? What was wrong with me? You see, I used to LIVE and work in San Francisco. Later, when I moved to the East Bay, I used to take BART into the city everyday. I’ve been to New York twice in the last year. I lived in Italy for 9 months and traveled every weekend, visiting 19 countries at the age of 19…with a map (no cell phone or GPS)!! I lived out of a backpack for 4 weeks while traveling throughout Europe. So, why oh why, was I feeling anxious about heading into San Francisco for a day of training? As I walked down Market St. (in the wrong direction), feeling butterflies in my stomach, I pondered this question. Suddenly, it came to me. On all of those other adventures, I was not alone. I was with my dear roommate and other classmates when I traveled to all 19 countries; I was in New York with my husband last spring, and I was with 47 students, plus chaperones, in NYC and DC this spring. My conclusion…WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER.
Why be anxious, nervous, or alone, when we can have community? This applies to so many areas of life. We were not made to live in isolation; we were made to do life together. In the area of health and fitness, there is no difference. Going at it alone can be daunting. You may have temporary success but when you start backsliding, who will be there to hold you accountable? I have found that the accountability in our free Challenge Groups has been the key to me breaking free of the vicious cycle I was on with food. I hope you won’t try to do this on your own any longer. Please reach out, ask for directions, and walk through this journey with me. I won’t let you down. We are in this TOGETHER!
