The Long Game

So, my gym is conveniently located like, right next door to a Pizza Hut. Bold move anytime fitness. I have straight up gotten into my workout clothes, drove to the gym and gone into Pizza Hut instead of working out. Can I get an amen? The struggle is real sis. I have always had a tricky relationship with food. Nothing super catastrophic- trust me. I have other issues. But food is hard for me as well. In a nutshell- if I could stay thin and look like a snack, all the while eating alllll the carbs. You better know that I would! MMM, love me all the food.

So, my husband and I switch off everyday on who gets to go to the gym while the other has the boys. He goes in the morning- I go after work at night. Well, the other night, I went to the sauna and was having a super off day. I got out of the sauna (with 45 min left to workout) and seriously considered just going to sit somewhere to eat alone. I mean- really considered it. I justified it by saying- “I don’t even remember the last time I was able to eat alone.” Or, “I could really just use the time to decompress.” Here is the conclusion I came to. Just to be honest- I have NEVER had a craving to work out as much as the cravings I get for food. I have learned to love working out but-this is real. I constantly get cravings for food. Not food shaming here- and I do live by the 80/20 rule. I had Mac n cheese for lunch today (love me that Costco) but, yes. Balance is key. OK so back on track- I crave food. If I give into this craving, it is fleeting. It does not satisfy me long term. If it did- I would not be wanting to have another ‘treat/cheat’ meal the very next day. Me indulging and not taking care of my body in the way I should, for the goals I have set in place is not going to satisfy me long term. So I had a choice. Go eat Mexican food, or go workout. Working out did not sound appetizing whatsoever. But I had a choice to make. Indulge on something that will only satisfy me short term, and ultimately not bring me closer to my goal. Or do something, even if I do not want to- that will benefit me in several ways both short term and long term? I worked out.

That is just one small example but we do that a lot don’t we? Set these aspirations or desires for a healthy life and play for the short game. We want to build our social media, read a book a month, get fit, and then we choose Netflix binging over being productive? How much further could you be if you saw life as the long game? A small intentional action everyday to not indulge what is fleeting but to make moves, however small, toward long term joy? To long term success. You wonder why you are not further along by now? My first interrogation is going to be to ask how you are spending your day? Instead of scrolling on social media, reach out to potential clients, instead of sitting watching TV, invest and play with your kids. What are your long term goals. Figure those out and work backwards. Play for the long game. Make decisions on what will bring long term joy rather than short term satisfaction.

I will close with this- my pastor did a series a few months back and he said something that has gotten me to where I am today. “Whatever is easy and attractive is foolish.” So what is easy and attractive to you? Are you quick to anger? Does that help your marital goals long term? Is it harder to be patient? There is your answer. What is your natural reaction? Mine was to go veg out and eat- I chose to workout. Strive for long term growth. Remember- your actions will determine where you land. Play for the long game- you will surprise yourself a year from now how small decisions added up. Don’t be foolish- don’t do what is easy and attractive. Go take your goals- they are up for grabs sis. You just have to be the one to fight the hardest for them. No one is going to give it to you. If being successful was easy, everyone would do it. But saying you can’t is garbage. Say you won’t, or it is not important enough to you. See how that feels. Seek the long game- you won’t regret it.

Pres