The One Thing
- Jenn Halladay
- May 2, 2019
- 5 min read
Journal Entry-
January 10, 2015
It was a cold day, but the sun was out and not too windy. Luckily I have the clothing to ride on days like this! I think its 28°.
That would be below freezing!!! That’s crazy! But you know what…I wouldn’t change a thing.
I got out there and started riding, gradually increasing my cadence (pedal speed) and everything started to flow. My body went into aerobic mode easily, effortlessly. As I proceeded down the road the thought hit me, “I am riding in below freezing conditions and I’m not even fazed by this!” How blessed am I?
It’s a crisp, gorgeous day and I get to do the one thing I love to do, Ride my Bike!
The one thing!
It has been my experience in the last 23 years of motherhood that to successfully function optimally as a mom acquiring the "one thing" will help you achieve this.
So what do I mean by this?
I had a friend tell me one time that not taking care of yourself is like going on a trip with your family and ensuring everyone else has their seat-belt on but yours.
That "One Thing" is your seat-belt!
It is something you do for yourself that does not include children or your spouse (significant other).
It needs to be an activity you enjoy doing, preferably away from the home base (your living space), allowing you to do some form of self-reflection/meditation. It should benefit you physically, mentally, spiritually and give you a win!
What is a win?
Achieving something physical that seems impossible.
I love to ride my road bike and race. I have done it now for 20 years!
I am wired to be in shape, and obtaining the cardiovascular fitness to do and achieve my cycling goals suffices this need. Achieving this was a progression; I experienced many different types of physical activities before coming to this conclusion.
Riding my bike has done the following for me as a mom:
This activity is something I do for myself. It is the only activity I do that is for me. Everything else I do is for my family. This is how it should be, (my opinion).
My commitment to the bike has helped me to achieve excellent physical fitness. Even at the age of 47 (I think, I lose track of my age all the time) I can still ride with some of the fastest men in my area (Boise, Idaho). For example, last summer (August 2017) I participated in a race up Bogus Basin hill. A hill right out of Boise, 6 miles straight up, mass start. I think there were close to 200 riders this year. I came in 19th, top female finisher and I beat out a 19-year-old kid (I could have been his mother!) right at the finish. How cool is that?
A win! We all need a win of some sort! The experience pushing myself to this limit has enabled me to persevere through everything I have faced, currently, and will continue to face raising five kids. Having these wins in my back pocket has gotten me through so much! If I can physically push through something like that, I can push through anything.
Does it actually have to be a "Win"?
No, it does not, remember a win is achieving something physical that seems impossible.
Accomplishing seemingly impossible goals no matter how small are wins.
I had a friend who set a goal to help her boys get their biking merit badge for scouts. The requirement is they have to do at a minimum a 50 mile ride. She trained with them to help them achieve this. She is not a physically active person at all and had minimal experience riding a bike! For her, that was a huge win!
Achieving something physical that seems impossible will give you the confidence to do most anything!
I have been so blessed to experience many wins on my bike.
I want you to experience success as I have. There is nothing like it!
I am not saying you have to win a big race (although, I'm not saying you shouldn't or you can't), winning is relative to you!
Maybe getting out and accomplishing a physical activity is your win at that moment. Then you set other "win goals."
Just knowing you can do whatever goal you set your mind to will be enough!
Now here is the part where some of you are going to be like, “Oh no! Not exercise!”
Exercise will transform how you perceive yourself because it will change your life! It will re-direct your current status because it will put you into an entirely different category where the challenges you face will not seem hard (relatively speaking), and you will be able to do anything and here’s why; finding your “One Thing” will help you feel better, look better and give you that time you need for yourself.
In her Medium article, “Working Out Is Powerful Brain Training” Anna Held related the following:
“It’s not exactly a secret that exercise can have a positive effect on both mental and physical health. Research has highlighted its potential in alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety, raising mood, and improving sleep. Perhaps less well known-but no less real-is the role exercise can play in making us more patient, more resilient, and better at solving problems.”
Finding the “One Thing”!
Finding your “One Thing” will not be easy! Especially if you have not incorporated physical activity in your life. Anyone can do this and improve their physicality and being by doing so. The following steps will help you.
1. Whatever you do, be successful at the physical activity you choose to do. Success will take work. If you have no idea what to do, try different activities; for example walking, running, hiking, swimming, group fitness classes at a local gym, lifting weights and of course, biking (road biking or mountain biking).
Start somewhere.
Whatever you choose, you will need to give it at least two weeks before moving onto the next activity.
An important consideration is equipment and logistics. If you don’t own a road bike, I would suggest taking spin classes to see if you even like to ride a bike. Don’t buy a bike until you know you are going to ride the bike.
Also, if the gym is 30 min away, is this going to be realistic for your schedule. These are some things to consider.
2. Persevere through the two week trial period. If after two weeks, it is drudgery move on to the next activity on your list. Trust me, if you do not like what you are doing it will not stick with you and you will end up back in your same routine.
3. Develop the habit of this activity in your life. Developing consistency takes time and work. Pick a time in your day where it is less likely you will have interruptions.
I ride around 12:00 and 1:00 in the afternoon allowing me to get my kids off to school, work and it is a perfect time because typically the weather is cooperative. There are moments where I have to change, but my riding schedule is this. I am consistent. Consistency is key.
Now is the time for you to conquer and succeed!
Your efforts will be life changing!
The ramification of these types of changes will change you.
It won’t be easy, but once you find your focus, you will be able to do anything.
Don’t give up on this; I have done it my entire life, and I know you can have what I have!
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