What I Learned Today on the Treadmill

Early today, I was doing my “old lady fast walk” on the treadmill at the fitness center, watching mindless television which I never do at home—Say Yes to the Dress I think it was...  I was moving, going fast, perspiring nicely.  There was nobody else there; it was great!   After about 20 minutes a young, toned fellow leapt onto the treadmill one over from where I was.   He cranked that baby up until he was running about a gazillion miles an hour on that thing.  Suddenly, I felt as if I were hardly moving.   

That old, familiar feeling of “What am I doing here?  I don’t belong here.  This is for young/skinny/good-looking people.” started to come on.  But I said to myself, “Self, this is for you.  He’s doing his thing; you’re doing yours.  There’s no difference.”  And you know what?  I was right! 

It was great!  That was a huge step forward for me, to just stay there comfortably doing my “old lady fast walk”, even if it wasn’t that fast, while he did his “young fella running like hell” run.  

We can only be right where we are.  If we aren’t there, we aren’t anywhere.  Right now, I’m a too-heavy aging lady.  I will be thinner, but I will never be younger.  And that’s okay.  I’m where I’m at right now.  The great thing is, I like it! 

Eight Words

As I’ve lost weight, people often say wonderful things to me, things I will never forget. Some are witty, some are moving, and some are absolutely charming. Also, I recently had about 20 inches of my hair cut off, feeling it was time for a change. It has been a very good change. 

Two weeks ago, a man said something to me I will never, never forget. First a bit about the man, Joe I’ll call him. 

I knew Joe some years ago when I worked at a Church. Joe was the music director. Most of the time, he inhabited another world altogether. He connected with the ‘real’ world only tangentially, and then, only transiently. I knew Joe for about three years before he stopped looking puzzled every time I greeted him, as though wondering if we’d met before, and if so, when and where. Joe lives in music. 

I am fond of Joe, and I admire his talent tremendously. He’s an incredibly gifted man. Over the years, since I left that job, it has been my good fortune to see Joe and his wife from time to time at concerts and recitals. And he has finally come to recognize me on sight, which is delightful! 

Recently, we were at a fantastic piano recital, and we usually see Joe at those. During the intermission we were walking in the lobby and there was Joe. Joe looked at me, stopped in his tracks, and said eight words that are indelibly stamped in my mind: “You’ve lost weight and I like your hairstyle.” And then he walked on. It was classic! 

Thank you, Joe. You made my whole week! 

Out of the mouths...!

I teach piano in my student's homes, which is a very safe and secure environment for children to have a piano lesson. One evening, one of my lessons was at a house where I teach the four-year old; I also used to teach her older brothers. One of the boys, about nine years old now, came in the front hall where I was chatting with the Mom as I was leaving. He needed to ask his Mom a question 'right now', as kids do. He said hello to me, then started talking to his mom, stopped mid-sentence to look at me again, and said, "You look skinny!", as only a little kid can! I thanked him graciously, and his Mom told him that was a very nice thing to say. She then asked me if I'd been trying to lose weight, as she'd noticed that I was. I said, "Yes, I am." She said, "Well, you're doing an incredible job of it!"
Ah, yes, it was a very good day!

Originally appeared in my SparkPeople blog.