Get Fit Slowly

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This is a guest post by Brigid. It originally appeared in Public Safety Communications, the magazine of The Association of Public-Safety Communication Officials.

When we were growing up, we learned a lot about life through stories. Some of these stories, although full of good intentions, didn’t convey the best message. Cinderella and Snow White gave hope to the working-class girl. Jack found his fortune in a handful of magic beans. Rapunzel found redemption when all she loved was lost to the wicked enchantress. In the end, everyone gets what they had been dreaming for and lives happily ever after. (Bah!)

We all know better than that — or do we? Do you find yourself at the mega-mart store, perusing the supplement aisle for the latest and greatest pill that magically melts fat away? How often do you consider starting one of those expensive pre-package food programs?

Truth be told, when we put our hopes into these self-proclaimed miracle weight-loss programs, we’re just kissing frogs. We wish vehemently for a prince who will save us from shopping in the plus-size section and deliver us from cheesecake. We wander from diet to diet and try all the fat burners known to man, hoping that one of these frogs will become that prince, but to no avail. Cinderella wakes up to her iniquitous stepsisters and a shoe that doesn’t fit.

If you want to find guidance in any children’s story, consider the Tortoise and the Hare. The turtle knew that he wasn’t anywhere near as fast as the rabbit. Fortunately, he also knew that speed wasn’t the key to winning the race. The one essential quality he needed to foil the rabbit was perseverance, a quality the hare didn’t possess. All our little shelled friend had to do was put one slow foot in front of the other. He crossed the finish line first and also earned the respect of his friends. As a bonus, he got to enjoy seeing the rabbit throw a complete fit. (He never liked him much in the first place.)

Although there is very little chance that I’ll win unless all the elite runners in the race decide to pop off to the pub for a beer, I’ve still won in my own right. Sometimes you have to redefine winning. Winning isn’t about being first; it’s about coming in at your own speed but knowing you’re far better off than the people who never ran at all. Winning is about getting back onto the path when you’ve strayed from it. Winning is about determination in the face of all those rabbits that laugh at you for being slow.

As you go through your day, think of the turtle and how each small step got him closer to the finish line. Each turtle step is like making one good choice, such as replacing a soda with a glass of water. In and of itself, it won’t make you fit, but if you continue to take a small step every day — a salad with dinner, skipping the fries or just eating slower — it will keep you heading in the right direction.

As for living happily ever after, I know a lot of miserable skinny people. So that part is entirely up to you.