On Saturday I had the opportunity to speak at a Women's Conference in the small town where I grew up.  My theme was fitness and health, with my overall message being, "Do you feel well?"  I shared much about the importance of movement to relieve stress and give a grounding and focus to health, but in the end it's about figuring out if your lifestyle choices are making you well.  Sounds so basic, but how many of us sit back and really think about it?

I shared a very personal story of my upbringing with piano and how finally at age 18 I told my parents I couldn't spend the 3 hours a day anymore at the piano because I had to join the track and field team...I wanted to move.  Many of us have children who are or who have been involved in an activity where they give their heart and soul, so I can only imagine how this affected my parents when they then saw me getting lapped on the 400 meter track! 

But, I wasn't well, my soul knew it and I needed my body to get moving to bring strength to my life (piano still remained a part of my life, just not my whole life). 

The two words "Know Thyself" came to me this week because of my experience on Saturday, the flu concerns and the stories I am hearing from you in the group who are searching for solutions to "being well".  It means reading, listening, sharing and taking the step to make changes...and I know how hard this is I am just like you.  It may mean finally accepting that you can't tolerate a certain food group and taking it out of your life, taking the scary step to schedule an appointment for that strange looking mole on your leg, cutting an activity out of your day so that you don't internally melt looking at your calendar or loving yourself for who you are right now...not 10 dropped pounds from now.

In your Tread Powerfully classes, know your limits, know when you want to give a burst of speed and know that Lisa, Paula and I are all available for questions, comments and suggestions.  Know that scheduling in a physical goal such as a race is a great motivator and races are for all speeds.  I know I've shared it before, but there's nothing like a physical goal to the focus on strength and speed and less on "how much do I weigh today?". 

p.s. if you're like me, the leftover Halloween candy was plentiful this season...Know thyself and thy limits and get rid of it! 

Sue   
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Lisa can be reached at lisa@treadpowerfully.com
Paula can be reached at paula@treadpowerfully.com