Earlier this week, I do not recall if it was an unsolicited thought which surfaced from the past or whether I saw a part of the phrase in print which brought the memory back to life.

Whatever the case, my mind drifted back to a time gone by where I had the honor of coaching “my gals” basketball team.

From time to time I have referred to this wonderful time in my life.

My goal was to help them.

Over the years, more often than not, these young ladies helped me despite our losing ways during the infancy of our program.

Amidst tears, I would try to encourage the team after one of the many lopsided losses.

We would seek the positive no matter how bad the outcome (and they were bad by basketball standards!).

Often, in their own frustration, the girls would say things like:

• “We’re a bunch of losers.”

• “I don’t understand what is going on.”

• “It’s no use; we’ll never win a game.”

The one statement I could not or would not tolerate typically started with the words “I can’t”.

• “I can’t dribble!”

• “I can’t make a layup!”

• “I can’t shoot foul shots!”

You get the idea.

The saying which came to mind and is attributed to the late John Wooden, the greatest college basketball coach of all time was:

“I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.”

As a team we adopted the saying and had it made into a T-shirt.

If one was caught voicing the words, “I can’t”, running laps was usually involved.

Why, at times, don’t we heed our own words or practice what we preach?

For the better part of the past decade I grew in love with cycling, typically hopping on the bike three to five times per week and cycling anywhere from two to four thousand miles per year.

Currently, I am nearing the twenty-five thousand mile mark since I began in cycling in 2003.

Last year my cycling efforts came to a complete stop due to a leg injury (a slip on the ice) which took nearly a year from which to recover.

This year has been somewhat better, but has come nowhere close to those times when I was able to get out on the road several times per week.

My job search, temporarily living away from home, relocating, and getting used to a completely different work schedule have played a part in the decreased time I can devote to something I truly enjoy.

Rather than do something about it my mind has dwelt on “I can’t” and it has cost me.

I have been consumed with the fact that “I can’t” get out to cycle (I am encouraged if I can get out once per week right now) rather than thinking about what I can do.

The stress levels, formerly neutralized due to the routine exercise, have kept me edgy.

The weight has gone northward. Not a good thing!

The once elevated mood has given way to being stuck in neutral at times.

The list goes on.

John Wooden also said this:

“There is a choice you have to make in everything you do. So in the end, my friend, (realize) the choice you make, makes you.”

A choice presented itself to me.

I could continue to bemoan the fact that “I can’t” cycle as often as I once did or I could find an alternative in the interim.

As I said, the weight jumped to 277 pounds, about thirty pounds more than I typically weigh and a far cry from my desired weight in the neighborhood of 220 pounds.

Given I work in the healthcare industry and often read about or am privy to information related to health concerns, it was enough to get me thinking seriously about drawing a line in the sand and doing something about it.

I decided to set a weight goal.

Jackie has been wonderful in tailoring our diet, helping me measure portions, and encouraging me to eliminate the “pound packers”.

Water intake is on the upswing although not where it needs to be.  I am working on it.

I decided to not let “what I cannot do (cycling as frequently as I would like) interfere with what I can do”.

I did not buy any equipment.

I did not join a gym.

I did not hire a trainer (however, if you can afford to do so this is a great option!).

I decided to walk.

Walk.

That’s it, plain and simple walking.

If you are one who knows me well you know that numbers “talk” to me.

Jackie bought me a Fitbit™ for our anniversary.  It’s dashboard supplies all sorts of numerical information which whispers to me often.

I have a goal of walking 10,000 steps per day or nearly five miles. I have missed a few days, but not many in the past month.

My friend, Ann, recently wrote a wonderful, information packed article on the benefits of walking. You can check it out here. (Hint: Take time to link to it as it speaks to your very own “fountain of youth”.)

I walk at lunch.

I walk the two city blocks from the parking garage to my office.

I use the restroom (frequently!) where I have to take a hike to get there.

I park on the 9^th or 10^th floor of the parking garage, walk down the steps, and walk back up most evenings.

I now have developed a lunchtime route and walk to the top of the garage to end my trek.

I am avoiding certain foods.

The temptation to indulge has come.

I have resisted (OK, for the most part!).

I have chosen alternative food choices.

I have lost eight pounds (and counting) the past few weeks.

I am on my way to my goal and I am focused for the first time in a very long time.

I am regaining a part of me which I love.

I will succeed.

In short, I have removed an “I can’t” from my vocabulary and I have made a choice to do something about my weight.

Are you facing similar circumstances?

Are you dwelling too much on the “I can’t” button?

Can you make a choice to do something about it?

Will you allow the obstacles to block your path or will you seek the opportunity to overcome the obstacles and continue on your journey?

Will you settle for Camp I Can’t or will you take the leap into the Lake I Can?

Whatever is supposedly keeping you back does not have to do so.

You can make a choice to change the course by exercising your option to be engaged and to say I CAN instead of I CAN’T!

It’s worth thinking about.

Do it!

Do you have an example of one thing which you thought you couldn’t but you overcame to learn that you could?

Photos Courtesy of Creative Commons and Bruce R. Cross