Some people have asked me how I started my weight loss. My first few months in the blog archive explain it all.

Friday, August 24, 2007

Whistle While You Work


My dad was known as the “whistling dentist” His office was filled with music from the 40’s and 50’s. It was fun working there. People often commented on how happy and carefree he was, but I learned the secret as his employee. He whistled when he was stressed, and when things got hard, the deadlines impossible and people were grumpy. It seemed to make him happy.

This morning I went on my run as usual. I felt discouraged, no motivation, my hamstrings seemed too tight, and it was dark and I was tired. I mused about my dad, and wondered if I could apply the same practice. Knowing it would be difficult to whistle and run at the same time I thought about dancing. Running is just dancing in a straight line, right? I juiced up my ipod to its highest setting and started to sing with Shiana. “I feel like a woman.” Because it was dark, I used the cloak of anonymity to play the air guitar. The run became fun and another mile disappeared.

When I was in Canada I decided to try an idea that I read about in Runners World. When you get to the peak of exhaustion instead of stopping to walk, run at a full pace as far as you can. I was at the crest of a hill, just passing a dairy farm and could see the turn around point. I ran as fast as I could. It was amazing. I felt like I was flying. Like a little 3rd grader grinning as she chased her friends. I was wonderwoman. It was joy!

This morning remembering my fast run I decided to do it again. I flew from the stop sign to the turn around spot. It felt like I was young again. Don’t get me wrong, I had to stop and walk after, and my lungs seemed headed for certain collapse, but for a moment my 39 year old body became young, and I flew. I grinned as I pushed past the previous endurance line. I had no limits, knew no bounds. After recovering I went back to my usual trot and smiled at what I had just accomplished.

My challenge to you this morning is to fly, to dance, to sing. Find the joy. Be a 16 year old with a brush for a microphone. If we truly believe Nephi and believe that men are that they might have joy, then we had better learn to find that joy through difficult things. Please understand the finding process is a verb. For us real people excercise does not come automatically with a smile to paste on our faces. Find means to be creative and discover what can make you happy. Dance on your elliptical, sing through your sit-ups, go your hardest, do your best, find the joy!

Or in other words, “Whistle while you work”.

15 comments:

SuzanneF said...

*tears* again. Thank you.

Millie said...

Suzanne (the other one) and I were just talking about you and how inspiring you are. You are touching so many lives.

This is really bad, but I love that you've done this and you're older than I am. :)

General Wolfe said...

Very inspirational. Thanks for writing it down for all of us to hear.

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

I'm chair dancing even as I type. =)

I don't know what a dent this puts in your humility, but Millie's right, you're touching hearts and changing lives here.

Calamity Jane said...

Thank you thank you! I am so glad that this is helping some. Sometimes I post and then have an anxiety episode wondering if I am disclosing too much of me. (now you all know just how useless my bladder has become!) This journey has been so personal and emotional. I am glad that there are some that appreciate it.
I love your comments suzanne, millie, general, kimberly and hefalump. You build me up too!

Marc and Megan said...

I love that your Dad would whistle at work... my Dad is the same way. No matter how hard I try, I cannot whistle the traditional way. See, I can cup my hands together and whistle like the hoot of an owl... in fact, one time when we visited the Redwoods, I communicated back and forth with an owl with my cupped-hands-whistle. That was pretty cool.

KellyLady said...

I love you. You always have the perfect thing to say.

Rebecca Blevins said...

I just have to leave you a comment today. I've had health problems, and need to lose at least 70 lbs. I found you right around the time over a week ago that something happened that made me realize I needed to stop wishing and start acting. I prayed like you wouldn't believe (ok, so you probably would), and I've felt the Lord guiding me the last week. I was discouraged today because I haven't lost anything yet, and I asked my husband for a blessing. I was given more information, and I knew I had to check your blog today. You've become a lifeline to me, a source of inspiration that I cling to. Sorry for the book, but I had to tell you.

Chubby Chick said...

Just popping in to say "hi!" Congrats on the awesome run! I am SO looking forward to the day that I can blog about RUNNING. lol

By the way...I LOVE the title of your blog! How clever. hehe

Carrot Jello said...

I'm picturing you running, and peeing, and grinning, and whistling.

Calamity Jane said...

Ok carrot, the peeing was a one time thing. I am pretty sure that I would be hanging up my sneakers if I was peeing every morning! Good thing you are my sister. . .

Calamity Jane said...

Megan, that is amazing. I am so excited to see you do the owl trick when you come up for christmas!

Kellylady, I love you too!

Rebecca, Yea! I am so glad that you wrote that. We have similar stories I think. If you don't know my story, go back to the archives. Inviting the lord changes the whole playing field, and gives you the advantage. It's exciting isn't it?

Chubby chick, I wrote you an epistle already, but I woke up thinking - how about "the girl formerly known as chubby chick"?

Carrot, No one can hold a candle to you, you are so funny! If anyone wants to giggle intil incontenent, go to her site. :)

Rebecca Blevins said...

I already read your archives, the first day I found you! :D I only wish there were more.....

I do think we have similar stories. I'm praying and working towards mine ending up like yours. And yes, it's amazing what happens when you involve the Lord!

Looking forward to your next post already...no pressure! Lol. You are an amazingly encouraging and inspirational writer.

KellyLady said...

I know this is comment #2 but I had to tell you that I tried the running at the point of exhaustion thing - ran a block up a hill and it felt great! BTW...Zane is already asking me when we can see Bruce next. He wants to make a trip to your house...maybe next summer?

Calamity Jane said...

Rebecca, Thankyou so much! I really love doing this.

Kelly, Way to go on the running thing. YES come and see us! You would love it here and I make great waffles! Bruce misses Zane too.