Week 2 - The Choices We Make

This first full work week of 2009 was a tough one. With work deadlines on the horizon and life just generally getting in the way, I managed to get to the gym, but I really rushed my workouts. Sometimes that happens. It's just part of the journey, and I have learned the importance of savouring the journey as much as the end result.

When I was too tired at the end of the day to really want to go to the fitness club, I was faced with two choices:

• Choice #1 - I could skip the workout. I'm tired, and I will go on another night when I have more time.
• Choice #2 - I will have my workout regardless of how tired I am and how late it is, just so that I maintain my commitment to myself.

Ultimately, two out of three times this week that I worked out I chose #2. Yes, I was rushed and I didn't do all that I intended. However, I still felt much better mentally and physically then if I didn't go at all. I felt a sense of accomplishment beyond my work responsibilities.

While I was exercising on the elliptical trainer the other night, something occurred to me. You may not think of it as earth shattering or anything new, but it just hit me on the side of the head. From the moment we awake in the morning until we finally retire for the night, the things we do and the things we say are dependent on the choices that are put before us. Choices are strung together and placed before us to act upon.

We take for granted some of the choices we make, while others are made over time.

Here are some examples:

1. Do I get up to go to work at 7:30 in the morning or do I sleep in and play "hookey?"
2. Do I eat a nutritious breakfast or do I skip it and grab a muffin and a coffee at work?
3. Do I take the long route or the short route to work?
4. Do I go to my regular Monday morning meeting or do I skip it and catch up on my paperwork?
5. Do I plan to take some work-related courses or do I forget it and obtain the knowledge through some other means?
6. Do I eat lunch or do I skip it and work through my lunch hour?
7. Do I work late and finish up a project or do I leave earlier and go to the gym?

As I'm one day shy of my 45th birthday, I reflect upon many of the choices I made for myself over the years. Some were good, while others I would rather have back.

Earlier this week, I was invited over to a work colleague's home for dinner. Somehow, I happened to mention that, as a child growing up, I had done very well, despite the adversity I faced with overcoming spina bifida. Back then, I recall facing many choices that seemed routine for me at the time. For example, will I push myself to try to excel in a school subject even though I had a history of performing below average? Of course, I chose to make the effort to keep trying until I got it right. It seems harder to make choices like these now that I'm approaching middle age. It seems to take more effort.

I went on to say that I have made some choices that I would rather have back, such as those related to my actions in managing my career. Just over ten years ago, I was laid off from my job and decided to retrain as a management trainee for a bank manager's position. At the time, I made this choice as I felt I was a good candidate for the role. I had a genuine interest in the affairs of others, I was interested in learning more about investments and it seemed at the time to be a natural progression in my work history. Within six months, I began to hate the job with the stress of dealing with difficult clients and having to sell products and services to the customers. Ultimately, I resigned and looked for a better fit elsewhere.

Certainly, the choice I made to pursue the bank manager position was not a good one. I had not spent enough time to really know myself and my career interests. However, ironically, you might say that through the choice I made, I ended up learning more about myself than had I not worked at the branch. Sometimes when you commit to a choice, whether or not you do something is out of your control.

Sometimes you have to live with yourself. You have to be willing to live with certain choices and the values that you feel are important. For example, if I'm going to progress in my career, I'm going to do it while balancing my work and personal life pursuits. Also, I'm going to act with integrity, and not harm others in my path.

Down the road, I made, what I consider, good choices when I joined TD Bank and learned to develop my public speaking and leadership skills through Toastmasters. Through TD, I managed to rebuild my career and through Toastmasters I regained the much needed confidence to manage my career.

This blog is written in the context of my confessions as a Gym Rat. As a Gym Rat, I make similar types of choices:

1. Will I set out a plan for exercising specific muscles on certain days of the week, or will I just "wing it" and do what feels good at the time? Planning out your exercise program is important if you want to seek weight loss and overall improvement in your fitness level, as I do.
2. Will I remain committed to my progress the moment I step through the doors of the club or will I chat up the girl at the front desk and stand around the water cooler playing my iPod? You know why you put out the big bucks in the first place when you joined the club.
3. Will I try to challenge myself by gradually lifting more weight (within reason) and raising my heart rate so that I will realize benefits from the time I spend at the club? If you don't challenge yourself, you are wasting your time.

Of course, there are many other choices that I make about my fitness program and nutrition matters.

As I leave you this week, there is a very important lesson to remember. No matter how large or small, the life choices you make today will impact the long-term state of your health. That is a fact! You cannot dispute it!

When confronted with a choice that you feel may impact your health, take the time to assess your options. You may not be able to undo the results of some of your choices.

Happy trails!