My Reason Why

Good morning. We had a great Thanksgiving, and our prayers are that you did too. It was a day of fellowship, family and friends – and of course more food than you knew what to do with!

My sister in law baked 7 pies – one for each child and grandchild. In our family, like a lot of other families in the Midwest, love is expressed with food. “Have a cookie – you’ll feel better. Let me get you something to warm up your stomach. You did good! Let’s go out to eat.” We’ve all heard some version of those statements.

I think I must really be loved – because I have packed on the pounds these past years! I could blame that on my family – always feeding me stuff I love. The real truth is quite different though – I’m the one that put the fork up to my mouth. No one forced me. Food does make me feel better – for a minute or so.

There is a tie between my lips, stomach and brain – yummy food (like mom’s no bake chocolate cookies) goes in my mouth, down to my stomach and BAM memories of growing up on the farm explode into my head. I’ll be 6 years old again and making those cookies in the farm kitchen with my mom. She lets me lick the pan. That sugar gets me every time. The feeling only lasts for a minute or so – and then guilt slides in. Why am I eating all this junk? It’s making me fat! Do I want to stay fat?

I watched the move The Art of Travel on Tuesday. The tagline of the movie is “the art of travel is to deviate from the current plan”. Excellent movie and if you are a traveler, you must own this movie. Let me tell you what I got from this movie – and how it relates to getting in shape.

They travel to Machu Picchu towards the end of the movie. I’ve always wanted to travel there. The way I will go is by trekking the Inca Trail – which is a 4 day trek. It is 2400 meters above sea level. I believe I will need to be in my best physical shape to make this journey comfortably.

I had a moment of synchronicity while watching the scenes of Machu Picchu in The Art of Travel. I knew that I would go there one day. I also knew that preparing for this trip would be my new way to deviate from the plan. All other attempts at getting in shape had a final outcome in mind. That was to just look better. What’s the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over again hoping for a different outcome. I did all the diets in the world, lost some weight – and was never happy about the outcome.

I believe you need an objective to reach. For me, it’s not just looking good. Frankly, I think I look good now! Sure, I can stand to lose a few pounds. But I do love myself the way I am now. So that objective – to look good – is not the one for me.

Travel, on the other hand – is the best objective for me. I love nothing more than getting on a plane and going somewhere. I’m the girl who didn’t get tired of business travel. Frustrated, maybe – because I couldn’t spend the time exploring like I wanted to!

In order to travel the Inca Trail and end of up at the home of the gods, I will need to be in my best physical shape. I’m going to take two years to achieve that goal. I will be 55 years old. My business will allow me to take a month and make that trip. I will enjoy the trip and not be exhausted at the end of each day up the mountain. I might even go to Patagonia and see the penguins!

I’ve found my reason why. In September, 2010 you will find me in Peru, trekking the Inca Trail and visiting Machu Picchu.