Oh, Adventure!

March 9, 2011

Thank you to P&G’s Have You Tried This Yet? program and Kroger for sponsoring my writing about trying new things and breaking out of my everyday routine. Click here to find great savings on high-performing P&G products at a Kroger store near you. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

Over the weekend, I took a look at my 101 in 1001 page – a list of 101 things I wanted to do in 1001 days. What struck me was how experience-rich it was. The list is full of things that I would never have tried… or been able to try… at 455 pounds. The days of standing on the sidelines watching life while others are EXPERIENCING life had to end.

This quest for experiences and adventure kicked into high gear after I got under 400 pounds. While I know very few people know what it’s like to be THAT big (thankfully), I do know that many people carry around some milestone that holds them back. It could be losing the baby weight, or fitting into your favorite pair of jeans. It creates a case of the “when I’s…” When I lose 25 pounds I’ll take that vacation. When I find a significant other I’ll start going out socially more.

The question therein lies: What are you missing out on because you’re waiting for the “when I’s?”

Jet Skiing

For me, my jet skiing experience in Key West was the epitome of WHY I want to try new things. For 1.5 hours, I sat on a jet ski that I drove around the entire island. I smelled salt water. I felt it sting my eyes. I saw dolphins. Had my body warmed by the bright sun reflecting on the ocean. I laughed at my husband nearly getting left behind because he was so slow on his jet ski. (Don’t worry, I didn’t laugh until AFTER the guide made it back from his search for my hubs. He just puttered along at half speed while the rest of the group waited.) I actively participated in making a new experience for myself that I will never forget.

The experience doesn’t need to be some beach adventure or something that costs a lot of money. I recall the memories of my first 5K and second 5K just as vividly. And I know I will hold on to my first half-marathon experience when I complete it on April 3rd. I can’t encourage you enough to be an active participant in your own life.

What is something you want to experience or do? What’s holding you back?

  • http://www.FitandFreeEmily.com Emily @FitandFreeEmily

    Thank you for this reminder, Emmie!
    I think many of us on this weigh-loss journey have become programmed into thinking “When this happens, I’ll be better.” For me it was always, “When I’m skinny I’ll … be happy, find my soulmate, get a real job, fillintheblank.”

    Let’s not worry about past mistakes or the future unknown, but rather let’s live in the present and actively living our dreams :) So happy of this post today to re-center my thinking. Congrats on your 1001 progress, I can’t wait to see that list get smaller and smaller for the both of us!

  • http://www.prjctskinnyjeans.blogspot.com Lali

    I totally agree with you. Standing on the sidelines is no fun.Being overweight at 18 I decided I wasn’t going to let my weight hold me back anymore. I moved to a foreign country, I’ve done hikes in the rain forest, I’ve been zipling and other things I thought I’d never do. Recently I have found the joy of jogging, I use to be embarrassed to run in public, but not anymore.I even blogged about it a few weeks ago. I liked your post, also cute picture.

  • http://abetterlesserme.blogspot.com/ D…

    I’ve always lived on the sidelines, isolated myself and now that I’m starting not to want that so much it’s frustrating because I’ve creating this empty little void that is hard to fill as an adult but I’m working on it.
    My main thing is getting on a bike, a moving one not another spin bike! I want to cycle along paths, go exploring, ride my bike to work, all these things. While I’ve done a lot of reading about weight limits there are no clear details, and I’m absolutely terrified of killing a bike but I’ve given myself a weight to get to when I will perhaps try one out and hopefully not squash the life out of it :-)

  • http://fortyisthenewfabulous.blogspot.com/ auntiekim

    boy can I identify with this post. I wrote a similar one on my blog awhile back. A few things come to mind immediately. I’ve always wanted to take riding lessons and now that I will not break the horse’s back, I will. This summer. I’ve missed riding roller coasters like you can’t imagine. I’m going to do a 5k for sure this summer. I’m not sure why exactly, but I’m terrified to try running on my treadmill in the comfort of my own home. I don’t get it. What could possibly go so wrong that couldn’t be fixed by getting off the treadmill or slowing down the speed?? Anyway, I would like to run the 5k but since I haven’t even started running I’m not sure if it’s possible. I will walk it at the very least. Great post!

  • LHA

    You have made a good point for people of any age, any weight, or any gender. All of us are held back by something…..that is, if we allow ourselves to be. Since I am older than you, I sometimes find I let my age restrict me from doing something I have not tried yet. It is as though I feel some things are not “age appropriate” and that’s ridiculous. My new motto is “If not now, then when?” I think it is extremely important for those of us on a weight loss/healthy living journey to experience new things and not wait till we reach some imaginary goal as though we are not worthy to do it until then! I appreciate your blogging about this and reminding me to keep trying new things and being open to new experiences. Now is the time…..not some undetermined time in the future! Thanks for a great blog.

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