Dear Woman At Publix, I Workout & Eat Healthy Because Of You
By admin
Dear Joy,
We’ve never officially met, but I overheard the lady in front of me make a comment about your name. In fact, I’m remember her exact comment…
“With a name like Joy, you should naturally be a little happier!”
Her comment wasn’t intended to be rude, though typing it and reading it out loud, it seems that way. I think even the lady felt it was a bit harsh once the words came out as she followed it up with a polite chuckle and an, “I understand, we all have those days.”
And we do.
However, your response was what prompted me to address this letter to you.
You confided in that nice lady that you had just recently been diagnosed with Type II Diabetes, you had hypertension and high blood pressure. Adjusting to waking up early to take blood samples was wearing you down and the medications were bumming you out.
I’m not sure if you expected what happened next…
That lady came back with a
“Oh yes, that can be hard. Learning to change your diet is the hardest part. I know because I was diagnosed 11 years ago. It’s a learning curve, but you’ll get there!”
I could tell from your reaction, you were looking for sympathy. You weren’t going to get it.
You see, Joy, things might seem hard right now. Your body may feel as if it’s not yours and you’re wondering why did this happen to YOU?
Well, take it as a sign. This was a sign that your body is giving you a second chance.
All of the ailments that you rattled off to your customer (and indirectly me) are all lifestyle choices.
And up to this point, it’s okay. You didn’t know better. But life can be better, you can know. It’s up to you.
You can take the lady’s advice to change your eating habits to move past this and come out far healthier than you’ve been in decades.
Or, you can continue to look Joyless and walk around feeling as if God handed you an unlucky hand.
As I stood in line (yes, I was beginning to grow impatient through this whole ordeal), I began to appreciate my own health and body. I am thankful for the decision to learn how to move and eat healthy from a young age so that I am never in your position.
But mostly, I am thankful for this job that I have… the job to inspire.
Working out isn’t about my own fitness any longer… my job is to use my health and fitness to educate others and inspire them to move beyond popping pills and feeling sorry for themselves.
In short, I workout for you, Joy.
I workout with the hope that just maybe you’ll be inspired by my fitness shoes. You’ll be inspired by the salad you rang up for me to study nutrition a little more in order to get off those pills that are bringing you down and turn away from diabetes.
I thought about giving you a card for our gym, but I could tell that you weren’t at that point yet. You’re at the start where it’s all about the “why me” instead of the “what can I do”. But don’t you worry, I’ll be looking for you and when you’re at that state, I hope to see a more Joyful Joy.
Best of luck. Keep your chin up and remember, your health is in your hands. No one else, not even the doctors, can make you the healthy person that you clearly want to be.
Thank you for reminding me why I love this life I live so much!
Sincerely,
Your customer
Fitness Isn’t Selfish
It’s funny that this experience happened as it was a topic I had already planned on talking about. Joy just made the post all come together.
Sunday, Dan and I watched a little bit of the show Fat Guys In The Woods (it comes on the Weather Channel and is awesome).
Anywho… the host, Creek (seriously) was giving his end of the show motivational talk to his brave men and said,
“You know, learning to survive in the woods and be an outdoorsman isn’t about you. It’s about taking that knowledge and sharing it with your kids, your grandkids, your friends, to share the experiences.”
Immediately, Dan and I looked at each other and said that’s how fitness is to us.
Every time we go hiking and even at the Spartan race, we make a comment or two about how we can’t wait to share these experiences with our kids one day (if we’re blessed with them).
Having the ability to share my passion with my clients and with you… that’s what it’s about.
The calorie burning, the strength, and the confidence that fitness and healthy eating brings to me… those are extra benefits.
If I can share my passion with just one other person, then I will consider myself a success. I want so badly for us all to strive to be the best we can be…