Monday, February 22, 2010

Finding Your Second Wind

Wikipedia defines “second wind” as “ a phenomenon in distance running, such as marathons or road running (as well as other sports), whereby an athlete who is too out of breath and tired to continue suddenly finds the strength to press on at top performance with less exertion.”

At least it did until I logged on to Wikipedia and changed the definition to “when you cut the cheese once and look around and realize nobody noticed so you cut loose with another one.”

I’m searching for my second wind right now. Not the farty one that I just made up, but the real one… that gust of renewed energy and commitment that comes when you recommit, when you double-down on making some serious scale-spinning magic happen.

I call this weight-loss journey a roller-coaster at times, but it’s important to keep in mind that the ups don’t automatically lead to big downs. And the real screams happen when the numbers are climbing.

My numbers climbed this week and I’ve got to tell you that I didn’t care for it one little bit. I remember those summer days when this losing-pounds business felt pretty carefree and easy. I remember burning with a white-hot heat that seemed to incinerate that unwanted fat. I haven’t necessarily fallen off the wagon, but I seem to be dragging my feet off the side lately.

I want to rekindle that fire.

I don’t know where you are on your own trek, whether it’s making you moan and groan or if you’re finding yourself in the zone, but I invite you to join me in kicking it up a notch.

However you’re going about this, whatever you’re doing to reach your goals, do it with a little more intensity and dialed-up passion.

This week, I’m going to get after it a little more fiercely, exercise with a trifle more determination and eat with a little less gusto.

You don’t get a second wind.

You earn it.

x

54 comments:

  1. Good word Jack, good word. I'm with ya

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  2. And the third wind. And the fourth wind. And however many winds it takes.

    Good luck to us all.

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  3. As long as the wind keep blowing Jack you are going to be ok!

    You are a fighter, keep fighting Jack

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  4. LOL at messing with wikipedia (how childish am I!?)

    Definitely going to join you in kicking it up a notch!

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  5. As a marathon runner I can also tell you that the second wind isn't purely physical - there's a HUGE mental aspect to it too. Good luck locating yours.

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  6. I just got my second wind from this blog post.

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  7. I am in the process of doing this myself. I had been kind of stuck for months. Good luck to you sir, I'll be kicking it up a notch with ya! :)

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  8. Just not giving up on any given day is VICTORY! It's what separates the men from the boys. Or girls from the women. Sticking to a healthy lifestyle when you're not feeling it takes COURAGE!

    I am feeling the same way right now myself. wishing for the carefree days of weight loss. When it seemed so easy.

    Wish in one hand and ....well you know the rest. Wishing isn't going to get me any where. It takes action for sure.

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  9. i'm so in this place right now Jack. It's good to know I'm not alone and I too will get my second wind from this post. THANKYOU!

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  10. I could use a second wind now too; I keep having 1 or 2 "good" days and then have a what the heck order greasy take out or buy a cupcake kind of night that takes another day or two to recover from. I definitely think maintaining weight loss (rather than losing) is harder. I am back to the point where I *need* to lose weight again. Granted, having to lose 15 lbs is a lot different than needing to lose 100, but I'd like some of that fire back from when I first started!

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  11. Let me tell you from experience, it's way too easy to get complacent when you are so close to your goal. I was within 14 lbs of my goal 6 years ago and then lost my marbles and ballooned back up 136 lbs before it was all over. I am now 15-18 lbs away from my goal again, plateaued, and it's hard to keep focused. But this time, I know I'll never get back up to 300 lbs and I know my lifestyle is a permanent one. Thanks for your daily dose of inspiration, for keeping it real and having a little fun at it. Keep your eye on the prize! You've earned your rewards!

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  12. Great post and just what I needed today. I think I'll print this one off to sit in front of the treadmill!

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  13. Maybe this journey is not so much about controlling the outcome. Maybe it's about leaning into your inner power (your inner wind?) and letting it fill your sails.

    Then again, I might just be full of hot air.

    :-)

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  14. I'm with you on this one Jack. I'm going to work on gaining my second wind this week. I need a push!

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  15. I found my second wind this morning in a form of clothes. Not air. Hope you got your second wind...

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  16. Another great post. How DO you do it?

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  17. This month has SUCKED ASS for me. I let "it" win. Well no more. Yesterday I left everything at the gym. I killed it. I'm back. And you WILL be too. I know it.

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  18. I have found that there is a balancing act in weight maintenance. Food and exercise being at the forefront. This last week my food has been great but my exercise has been way OFF! I'm making a commitment to my activity second wind ...

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  19. Awesome....I just posted last night about deciding to exercises 2x a day now instead of once. :)

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  20. Ok, Jack...you are ON! I need to earn a second wind, too...after a two week long pity party (or something...still not sure what the heck that was). I must get to 175 and below. I was 179 on Feb 7. Was 188 yesterday. 186 today. (A long run and an hour at the pool with the kids...and sane eating.....what a difference a day can make). I generally exercise every other day but I am stepping that up this week. After work today I am headed to the gym or headed home to throw around some kettlebells...will decide later...but it will be something with weights and I will sweat and work it hard...and listen to my new music line up that helped me run far and fast yesterday. Watch my butt shrink! LOL

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  21. These are the posts that should get 100 comments.

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  22. You and me both Jack. My second wind is coming this week too. See ya on the other side!

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  23. I need this toot. I mean, I need this too!

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  24. Maybe it's because I teach 5th and 6th grade all day, but the fart joke cracked me up.

    Speaking of 5th and 6th grade, our word of the day today was "vigorous". Before I read your post I thought "yea! YEA! My workouts are going to be VIGOROUS this week! And maybe even next week, woo!" So I'll be joining you over here kicking it up a notch or two or ten. Good luck finding the wind!

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  25. Good one! I'm in need of one of these myself.

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  26. Sometimes it takes a gain on the scale to make us push ourselves a little harder. :)

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  27. Ou, I like it. I was just getting to that point where I almost tore open a Mars bar last night... I asked PJ to split it with me - he wouldn't, it was the only thing that kept me from eating it.

    Losing lbs just seems so much harder now. I get excited over a half lb weight loss now... a year ago I wouldn't have been excited at all about it because I was losing so much more so much faster...

    I need this. Let's do it!
    PUMP-UP-THE-JAM! (remember that song from the 80's/90's?)

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  28. I get a second wind after piling on the jalapenos :) Yes, the enthusiasm for those new years resolutions is starting to wear off for me as well. Thank you. I'm going to give my workout buddy a shot in the arm today and tell him we need to get at it again.

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  29. Yes! I'm doing it! I'm implementing a full force diet plan to get me on a successful track. I can't weigh myself like you do, I would get too frustrated. I just want to feel good in my clothes.

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  30. oohhh...i like this...

    i've needed a second week for roughly a month now and i think i finally got it!!

    thanks for acknowledging we all go through this!

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  31. Jackster, I just recently got my second wind but not the farty kind you speak of. I recently had to dig down deep, write everything down, even if what I ate wasn't healthy just to help me realize I was feeding myself crap - again.

    As for fitness, I just did it. I didn't think about it, I just did it. So, I'm on my third week of my second wind and I'm loving where I am mentally. Good luck to you this week!!

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  32. Yup...the second wind is no different than the first really. It is everyone's personal breaking point that drives you to the next goal. And sometimes, it only can come from a true rest from the race. Either way, you'll get there and even if you see the "twos" again, it'll only be briefly and only you have to worry about how that'll make you feel.

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  33. So, so with you on needing to work for my second wind. I'm struggling this week, so I'm taking up the challenge to kick it up a notch. Starting with working my food plan for today - I'm committing to sticking to the plan 100%, no substitutions, no matter what. I'll also kick it up a notch at the gym and stay 10 minutes longer than planned. Better quit typing and get there!

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  34. AMEN! I'm in with you on this one! Just got back from Vegas so gotta tighten up the exercise and nutrition again.

    Great post buddy!

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  35. You don’t get a second wind. You earn it.

    TOUGH LOVE JACK! Ya got to work for it for sure! Check out my tough love guest post tomorrow!

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  36. In sailing sometimes you hit a place where you are at a standstill....there are times in life when the focus is by necessity going to be in other areas. In that time, you need to be able to float on good habits. Other times you need to be able to attack. You are doing great I think. One pound or so, you caught it. and it's all just doing what you know. For the rest of your life...not hard at all (lmao)
    Every day we earn it....I am waiting for the day someone say (Oh your naturally thing) so I can say
    yep.

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  37. or naturally thin....a naturally thing...not sure what that is...a typo by a brain dead blogger me thinks.

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  38. There is no doubt in my mind that you will be well into your second wind in no time.

    Whether it is a second wind of attitude, determination, mood, eating, exercise, etc. we all need to take the time to reevaluate and focus. I did this last week and came back this weigh-in with a 6 pound loss.

    Take your time, find your center, and kick that scale in the ass!

    We are all here with/for you!

    Julia
    http://jewliagoulia.blogspot.com

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  39. I need to earn my second wind as well! I feel so similar! I haven't fallen off but I am also dragging my feet. I haven't gained weight, but I have just been sitting here in the same spot I was almost a month ago floating here. Ugh. Yeah, I need to earn that second wind. Time to get to work! Good luck to you!

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  40. The baubles happen. Don't panic. That's the most important thing. Think it over. Why did it happen? What can you do to make it easier for it not to happen again? That's what I do.

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  41. everyone has been where you have just been. you sound totally ready to power through it, i'm sure you will.

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  42. i need to relight my fire this week.
    want to light a fire under my fat arse please?

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  43. I'm with you, very much so. I too have been dangling my feet off of the wagon. You're always an inspiration, thanks Jack!

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  44. second winds only come when you're ready to pass out from EXERTION! So yea. I guess you'd have to earn it. I got mine last week after a 2 1/2 week stall. If I were to get much more revved up, they'd check me into a hospital to keep me on the ground!

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  45. Yeah, they have to be earned... I think I am still working on my 'first wind'!

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  46. I like the idea of earning it. I have to put my butt in gear and really work this week. I've been slacking off a little bit too much lately.

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  47. I think you're right about earning that second wind...

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  48. I wish you could just go to the mall and purchase a second wind...

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  49. I know all about needing a second (and third and fourth and fifth) wind to get through this whole process. Here's to breaking some wind! er... I mean, catching wind!

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  50. Recommitment, that is the word, man. But don't fart on us twice!

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  51. I'm with ya Jack! I think for me it's stress that makes me swing my feet off the side. I need to work on managing it better.

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  52. You work for your second wind. You push on and believe that you will get it. No giving up till you get it.

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  53. Love this post. More importantly please keep up the good work editing Wikipedia. ;)

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