Mai: How my excuses became my motivation (Part one)

Here's a list of some of the lameeee excuses I gave myself not to run:
1. I have asthma.
2. I had that one back injury back in '09 where I ruptured two discs in my lower back and I don't want to hurt it again. (OHMYGOODNESS! THE PAINNNNNN!)
3. I have super duper pale legs and I'm too embarassed to wear running shorts out in public.
4. I don't look like a runner, therefore, I cannot be one.
5. Long distance running at my own will? Pshhh...nah...no...nope...you gotta be kidding me! Unless I'm getting chased by some apes (like in Temple Run!) I don't need to run! What are the odds of being chased by some apes though?! Come on, let's be real here!
6. I can't do it because my mother says so.

^^^Some of those are pretty lame, huh? Haha Well, here's a little story on how I made those excuses into motivation. I'll be posting maybe one a day or so so I won't make a super duper long entry.

I ruptured two discs in my lower back about three years ago. I was bed ridden for about 8 weeks and out of work for about four months total. It was hell. The worst part about it all is that I had no idea how it happened. I was standing-just standing- at work and my back just gave in on me. The whole time I was in my bed in pain, my mother would blame this all on how fat I was. I remember her asking the doctor if this happened because I was fat. The doctor looked at her like she was crazy. He aussured me that this is not because of my weight and that even a sneeze can do something like this. He told me that I should lose some weight during pregnancy if I were to become pregnant to reduce the stress on my back but other than that, he told me I was okay.

At that point, I didn't think much of it since I didn't want any kids at that time. Now that I want to start a family someday in the future (read: not for another 3 years or so), I'm using this as one of my motivation to get in shape. It's never too early to start planning for your future especially when it comes to your health!

One of the most valuable lessons I leanred from this injury was never to take something like walking for granted. I never really liked to walk anywhere. I had to because I don't drive, but I HATED walking. After I was bed ridden and was barely able to move at all, I was reminded of how lucky I was to be able to walk. Every trip to the restroom I took bawling, every time I tried to get up to eat in so much pain, every time I changed my clothes in tears, I became more and more thankful and greatful for the fact that I can walk. 

I told myself after the injury that I'm never going to take walking for granted. That happened around the same time my motivation for #4 happened. I guess I'll be getting into that on my next entry! Well, I'm going to go back to sleep a little to rest up for today's walk. I only got 4 hours of sleep last night. -______-

TTFN!
Tata for now!
-Mai Hana