Sometimes It's Okay to Be Mad

It's how you disagree that makes you right or wrong. You can be totally correct in what you are saying, but if you say it like a jerk, no one will ever care.

This is an example of how I never want to treat commenters.

I "like" a page on Facebook and have been following it for awhile. It's one of those people who has lost hundreds of pounds and posts mostly motivational information and some things she's learned along the way.

Unfortunately, she sometimes tries to give sweeping advice about how everyone needs to do something a particular way or they're doing it wrong.

I made the mistake of responding to one of these.

She made a statement about how you're doing it wrong if you are eating 1200 calories a day. Several people commented that depending on size, medical issues, doctor's advice, etc. this isn't true for everyone. None of them called her names or was remotely rude, only addressing that they thought she was wrong and why.

Of course, that's when the immature ranting begins from the page owner about how people can just leave if they don't want to hear her advice, including telling one person who said that the post hurt--because they had an actual medical condition that prohibited them from following her advice--that feeling hurt was their own problem and they can just leave. True, yes, but still immature and petty.

Then she bans all of the people who disagreed with her from her page, edits her post to include words that make her look like she was saying something totally different, and then calls all of the people she has now banned "asshats" without, of course, any fear because no one can see what any of the banned individuals actually wrote.

Anyway, I will try desperately to stick to only what has worked for me without generalizing it among everyone, because we're all different. Some of us are 4'10" and some are 6'3". Some are on their feet all day, and some are chained to a desk. Some of us have naturally slow metabolisms, and some of us have the metabolism of an Energizer bunny.

Not that anyone will necessarily ever read this blog, but I hope that if they do, that they feel only encouragement and not judgement. Feel free to disagree (without being disparaging) and tell me if you're offended so I can either clarify my offensive message or apologize.

My only real advice? Talk to your doctor and ignore anyone telling you that it has to be done their way, and then calls you an asshat.

La Tortuga Solitario

The truth is, the name started out "Las Tortugas" and included my sister, who used to run in high school, but hasn't done a lot of running since having four kids. That isn't to say she hasn't been active (I did just say she has FOUR children), but the running thing has definitely been set to a simmer.

Since we were going to be running the Run Through Redlands together, we were trying to come up with a team name that was a little silly, but not too vulgar or crass--our children will be sporting our team name publicly, after all. My sister yelled (as loud as one can on Facebook), "VIVA LAS TORTUGAS!"

I'm still not exactly sure when I became the singular tortuga, but it involved a post about her jackrabbit speed--and a quick-witted and spirited reminder, they way only an older sister can do, of who actually won the race.

So yes. I accept that I am La Tortuga. Because I'm the one who had to commit to doing something totally new and far outside my comfort zone, steadily improving, pushing myself day after day to overcome my own body. Even if I don't cross the finish line first, I've already won this race.

Viva La Tortuga!

How I Chose to Start Living

Lately, I've had a strong desire to start going on adventures. Basically, I've been trying to live my life by one silly Doctor Who quote:

We're all stories in the end. Just make it a good one, eh?

So when I get a chance to do something or try something, I take it.

Having been obese for about 10 years, I decided to lose weight a few years ago. I have very slowly managed to peel off 50 lbs, and make it into the plain old "overweight" category. This was mostly through diet and strength training, because I have exercise induced asthma.

Then I read that there are many athletes, including a small number of Olympians, that have the exact same problem.

So, about 2 1/2 months ago, I decided I wanted to be an athlete. I was going to run a 5k in less than 30 minutes. I chose the "Run Through Redlands" on April 27 as my goal.

This has resulted in some good-natured teasing, of course. And that's how I've picked up the name "La Tortuga."