Monday, December 5, 2011

Most People Don't Change

My friend is a therapist and he gave me some staggering statistic like 80% of people never change the behavior that brings them to therapy, and that's why there are so many working therapists. The people just learn to cope. As I look forward to a new year, I can't help but to reflect on the past year, and as I do, my tally for things unchanged is quite a large number.

For example, I closed out 2010 at a paltry 123 pounds, and I vowed to increase my weight to 130+ pounds for the 2011 racing season. For the entire 2011 season, I was racing at 124 pounds, barely unchanged and much too light and fragile of a weight for a two-ironman season. I also remember hitting the weight room frequently in December and January to not only increase my mass, but to strengthen my core, and I vowed to not forsake the weight room for extra miles of swim, bike, and run. Once again, I was not able to change my behavior and at some point midway through the season, I forsook the weights for extra miles of swim, bike, and run. In an attempt to not be like the 80% of people who don't change, I'm going to revisit previous blog posts and repost them as a reminder to myself of things I want to change. So without further adieu, my first repost, and my first step toward real change:

http://racingawareness.blogspot.com/2010/12/here-we-go-again.html

On the health front, everything is back to normal (knock on wood) and I got on my bike for the first time since IMCA (Aug. 28!), I felt good and surprisingly strong. 'Tis the holiday season, and I had 4 parties this past weekend, one of which was a party where the guests dressed up to take pictures for their holiday greeting cards. Here are some ideas we came up with:

7 comments:

Beth said...

Holy cow Kiet...I almost weigh as much as you!!!! And I'll bet you are taller! HAHA!! :) Here's to change. As a dietitian I see the same thing. People want to change but don't. But I know you can do it!!!!

Teresa said...

So does this mean an ironman in your near future? Just checkin'. Those photos are hilarious! Glad to see you back on the horse. xoxo

Matt said...

Sweet Trek Senor! Go eat a few full pizzas ;)

Steve said...

That is interesting on the change thing. People are all filled with little imperfections, and addictions. Some are obvious things, like drugs, and tobacco, and stuff, and some could be not so obvious, like video games, and what not.

I have been pretty lucky to have pretty good genes, (my reading of it) Good genes to stop smoking cigarettes in my younger years when I did it for a year. Decided to drop it one day and did. A lot like my Dad, so my gene theory. Also the same with chewing tobacco for like a year or so. Quit like that, and see other people struggle with that.

You seem skinny to me, but all body types are different, so I doubt you would ever be really big.

GoBigGreen said...

I have always told my patients 6 weeks MINIMUM to change but i think the older we get or the more engrained the behavior is to our "psyche of self worth" the longer it takes. And alot of the behavior i work with is the behavior of inactivity!
Funny pics!

Libby said...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this idea of revisiting old blog posts to find need for change. so awesome. best of luck. change is more of a slow evolution than a total 180. be patient with yourself my twin :)
oh I found something we aren't twins on. I'm a HUGE music fan. I love all kinds of music EXCEPT techno!

Charisa said...

I love the pictures!! Why is nobody commenting on the awesome pics!?????? :)