I HATE IT HERE! TAKE ME HOME!!

I just saw a segment on CBS Sunday Morning about kids going to camp and writing letters to home. It made me laugh at some of the letters. The first letters of the week are always the "I hate it here! Come get me!" then by the end of the week the tone of the letters changes to "I love it here! Can I stay 2 more weeks?". Of course I remembered my own experiences at camp. I pretty much felt the same way. Though, not so much the "can I stay for 2 more weeks?". I've always been a wall flower, lacking in self confidence and unable to really jump into social situations and have alot of fun. But by the end of the week, I felt more comfortable to the point that I would actually sit at a table other kids were at instead of sitting by myself.

Then I started thinking about my daughter, who is not a wall flower. She is very outgoing actually. But when we start a new activity she does kind of drag her feet at it. She will want to quit early on or complain the whole time. Then she decides she likes it and wants to do it more. Or she decides she doesn't like it and will flat out refuse to do it. I wonder what her letters from camp will be like?

As my thoughts continued about how attitudes evolve over time I came to the conclusion that making a life change such as trying to lose weight, taking up a new exercise regimen, or just trying to be more health conscious is much the same. At first you might be a bit excited at how you are going to make a change for the better. Then you get into the program and have those moments of "Why the hell am I doing this? The only thing that has changed is that I am way more cranky and tired and sore!" Eventually you begin to see changes in your body or how you feel and start to appreciate all the efforts you have put in thus far. And then you cross that line and actually start to enjoy your new life style.

I have crossed the line for sure. I love running. I love exercising. For the most part, I enjoy eating healthy. Still not much of a fan of vegetables. But I am trying to incorporate more into my diet. And I do still love food, but I am learning to eat less of it and to make better choices. I think I will always be learning this. I will always be a work in progress.

But I am glad that I've finally reached that point at camp where I can sit at the table with the other kids again.