I have been driving around in this crazy Wisconsin winter weather since I first got my license. Becoming a Visiting Nurse gave me the knowledge on how to read an actual map, program a GPS, use my navigation on my phone... and become familiar with pretty much every neighborhood in Milwaukee. I drive a lot.
But I now notice a shift in drivers. I am familiar with the rushed, "I'm late", "GET OUT OF MY WAY" driving that I have done. However, I don't face that very often, unless I am late, and people really are having a hard time driving their cars. I call it the ME FIRST phenomenon. Cars speeding up to get in front of you to make a left hand turn, cars speeding up to get through an intersection so you CAN'T make a left turn and not being let in on a merge are some favorite ME FIRST actions. But don't speed up and make the turn, because then you are the ME FIRST driver. I see people honking, speeding up to mean mug the car in front of them, very close passes to get in front of the car that used to be in front of them, hand gestures out windows, and even dangerous maneuvers like riding half in one lane and half in the other. Besides wanting to scream at people to stop it, I try to remember that my husband says a little bit of courtesy goes a long way. Go ahead, let that guy in front of you go. C'mon, let that guy through- he's been waiting for 2 minutes on a street where cars aren't moving so well. Didn't that feel SO MUCH better than having him stare you down and edge his car out inch by inch? It's hard to remember that these vehicles claim lives every day (well, the people driving them do).
So, what does that have to do with exercise, fitness, nutrition and all the stuff I love to babble about?
When's the last time you put ME FIRST? I'm not talking in a driving situation, but how about saying no to a boring commitment when you could be taking a walk with your significant other, best friend, dog, even spending some time with yourself? When have you put yourself first when it comes to the family? It's okay to let the kids play on their own, pour their own cheerios and hang tight with a caregiver while you go to that one hour yoga class, or spin class, or interval class, or swim laps, or.... imagine what you could do if you thought ME FIRST. After all, who's taking care of that family when you're on the down and out because you haven't been taking care of yourself? You have to keep yourself healthy and sane and well fed in order to be able to care for others. ME FIRST.
Feeling lonely? Join a class, there are others there looking for a friend. Feeling happy? Go dance that happiness away- not eat it in an indulgent meal! Take a chance and put yourself first. You'll feel more centered, ready to focus, accomplished and healthier. I bet you might even let that guy in front of you, even though he clearly did not wait his turn in the merging process.
But I now notice a shift in drivers. I am familiar with the rushed, "I'm late", "GET OUT OF MY WAY" driving that I have done. However, I don't face that very often, unless I am late, and people really are having a hard time driving their cars. I call it the ME FIRST phenomenon. Cars speeding up to get in front of you to make a left hand turn, cars speeding up to get through an intersection so you CAN'T make a left turn and not being let in on a merge are some favorite ME FIRST actions. But don't speed up and make the turn, because then you are the ME FIRST driver. I see people honking, speeding up to mean mug the car in front of them, very close passes to get in front of the car that used to be in front of them, hand gestures out windows, and even dangerous maneuvers like riding half in one lane and half in the other. Besides wanting to scream at people to stop it, I try to remember that my husband says a little bit of courtesy goes a long way. Go ahead, let that guy in front of you go. C'mon, let that guy through- he's been waiting for 2 minutes on a street where cars aren't moving so well. Didn't that feel SO MUCH better than having him stare you down and edge his car out inch by inch? It's hard to remember that these vehicles claim lives every day (well, the people driving them do).
So, what does that have to do with exercise, fitness, nutrition and all the stuff I love to babble about?
When's the last time you put ME FIRST? I'm not talking in a driving situation, but how about saying no to a boring commitment when you could be taking a walk with your significant other, best friend, dog, even spending some time with yourself? When have you put yourself first when it comes to the family? It's okay to let the kids play on their own, pour their own cheerios and hang tight with a caregiver while you go to that one hour yoga class, or spin class, or interval class, or swim laps, or.... imagine what you could do if you thought ME FIRST. After all, who's taking care of that family when you're on the down and out because you haven't been taking care of yourself? You have to keep yourself healthy and sane and well fed in order to be able to care for others. ME FIRST.
Feeling lonely? Join a class, there are others there looking for a friend. Feeling happy? Go dance that happiness away- not eat it in an indulgent meal! Take a chance and put yourself first. You'll feel more centered, ready to focus, accomplished and healthier. I bet you might even let that guy in front of you, even though he clearly did not wait his turn in the merging process.
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