Things I Can Control

I have found that by focusing on things I can control that I feel better and swim faster. There are many things in life I can’t control, like the hours in a day for example. But I can control what I do with the hours in a day that I have.

I made a decision last year that I wanted to be swimming at my optimal ability when I turn 50 this winter. So I changed some habits and focused on other things that I can control to help accomplish that.

Post Swim View From the Mystic YMCA

Here are some things I have control over that I have been focusing on over the last year that have improved my overall life and swim performance:

• Diet – My diet is mostly plant based whole food. If it walks, swims or comes from something that does, I don’t eat or drink it. I have been refocusing on eating this way and feel that I have more energy than before.
• I gave up alcohol last year- At first I gave up beer for 90 days to see how I would feel. And I felt great! Now it’s been a year and I’m still alcohol free. I sleep better, am more alert and have more energy since I gave up drinking alcohol.
• Training – Last year I added an extra day to my swim training and it made a big difference. Owning my own business makes it challenging to find the time. I decided to put 5 days on the calendar and times during the day that I would swim. Usually I’m at the Y at 5:30am to get my swim in. If I traveled, then I found hotels near YMCAs so I could get my morning swim.
• Mental control – One big change I made last year was unhooking my Cable TV. I still watch Netflix and movies from time to time, but have stopped watching the news, which not only saves a lot of time but keeps me in a better state of mind. I still keep up to date on the news by Internet, but now avoid the “News Alerts” that make you want to stay glued to the TV.

These choices I’ve made have resulted in a positive impact on my life, my wellbeing, and my swimming performance. We all control what choices we make in life. To take action or not take action are both choices.

I look forward to continue to reap the rewards from the positive choices I am making.