Can of Trash: All or Nothin'

Recently Rick, my personal trainer accused me of being stuck in an "all or nothing" mentality. Initially I thought, "So what if I am, who cares?" Well apparently I should. He warned that from his experience that clients who think this way are the ones who don't keep the weight off.

So is Rick crazy or does he have a point? If he does, then what does that mean for me?

Well, I had an epiphany today. My big clue? Dehydration at mile five of a six mile jog. Yep, I went from running basically 0 miles over the last three months to 6 miles in a day. It felt amazing mind you. I loved it. No ear buds, just me, the sun, the river next to me, and the sound of my feet hitting the pavement. But I did wonder, why couldn't you just go for a walk like you planned? At least then I wouldn't be so thirsty.

I thought of other symptoms:

• I don't like to sing in church because I think I "can't" so I just don't.
• As a student I have always put my studies first even if it meant missing out on some fun group activity. As a result I missed out on building strong friendships and lasting memories.
• When I started doing triathlons I jumped in and started doing Olympic distance on a mountain bike. (Why sprints were not good enough at least until I got a road bike I don't know!)
• My first marathon was done on a whim, by myself, in my own "organized" race.

Alright, then what does this mean for me? Is it possible to change my line of reasoning? Am I destined to think in black in white?

Change is possible. Change is difficult. Change can only be done consciously.

I watched an amazing TED talk this week by Josh Prager . In this talk he mentions how the driver of the truck that crashed into his car and left Prager a quadrapolegic would never understand the consequences of his actions. Why? Because he is a limited man. He limits himself because he doesn't question his purpose, his assumptions, nor his paradigm. As a result he will never be able to fully enjoy and experience life. He will be stuck in his ways, his sights will be limited to the boundary of his village and he will never see the mountains or the sky. He will never change.

So, how do I move from an all or nothing mentality to one that is more forgiving and patient. Honestly, I haven't a clue. But I am starting to work on it nonetheless.