But I....

I weigh too much. It's too embarrassing. I am too old. I just can't...

I have been thinking a lot about the excuses I hear and give when it comes to living an active life. While this blog post was moving around in my brain similar  thoughts were in the minds of two women I admire. The first post comes from Amy, an incredible woman and life coach. In her post "Excuses", she guides you on how to identify what types of excuses you're giving, how many are valid, and how to develop a strategy to get through the invalid excuses.

So I can hear the excuse for this now..."What if I don't do it right?" or "I don't believe I can motivate myself". Well then check out how Katie, at Adventure-Inspired Tales, used Amy's model and put it all out there. She's a brave girl, and I know you're brave enough to do it too. Confront yourself and your excuses!

If you need a little more motivation, check out these great stories of inspiration.

I can't do it alone

A few of these stories came courtesy of Michele Flamer's amazing, inspirational, emails and posts as the leader of the 30 Day Challenge on Facebook. So if your excuse is "I can't do it alone" check out the group and you will find safety and success in numbers!

I'm too big and too heavy

At 501 pounds Scott Cutshall was told he would die in six months. Click here to learn how he went from barely being able to move to biking as a lifestyle.

I'm too old

It's true once you reach a certain age you may no longer be eligible to be a professional athlete (though don't tell that to Mara Yamuchi who began her professional running career at 30). However age shouldn't and won't stop you from trying something new and having FUN! I love this piece on beginning kayaking after age 50. It has some great information on getting started that can be translated to other sports and activities.

I haven't done anything like this...it could be embarrassing.

Yes, when trying something new or pushing yourself to the next level you will be outside your comfort zone. You won't know everything and you will make mistakes. Some of them will be embarrassing mistakes but you're not alone and if you're able to laugh at yourself it can be character building. Check out these stories from Runner's World.

But I...I..I just can't

 If you really believe that watch this video. The amazing story of a man who runs for his son who can't.

I love this...

My dear friend Anna posted this quote this morning and I love it so much I wanted to share it with you all. 

"Those who love you are not fooled by mistakes you have made or dark images you hold about yourself.
They remember your beauty when you feel ugly; your wholeness when you are broken; your innocence when you feel guilty; and your purpose when you are confused. "
~Alan Cohen

I know for myself it's been a point of contention, letting others see my light when I only see my dark. I am thankful for dear friends like Anna and others who are so close to me.  I hope you all can carry a bit of this with you, especially when trying new things and putting yourself out there. Upon new challenges it may be hard to muster the strength, confidence, and energy to get through and it is okay, no it is GOOD, to let others remind you of your beauty, strength and light.

How King Soopers/Kroger lost my business over $10 and a shrug

I normally don't write posts venting about my daily issues. Unfortunately, at this point I am fed up with King Soopers/Kroger and this weekend they forced me to ask the question "Where has customer appreciation and service gone?"

I live in Southeast Denver and happen to be right across the street from King Soopers. While I generally do most of my shopping at Sunflower Market I do go to King Soopers on a regular basis. I have noticed in the last year that the staff there has gone increasingly down hill.

There used to be a great guy who stocked the dairy area, he always said hello and asked if he could help me find anything but when he left the staff's deficiencies became glaringly obvious.  The staff is more concerned with chatting with each other about their weekend plans or what they did last night than helping customers. When you ask for help you generally get an eye roll. I accepted their shortcomings based on the convenience for shopping (which is embarrassing to admit), however I am through with them thanks to their Head Cashier who was on duty this weekend. I will omit her full name, only to call her C.

I had shopped in King Soopers around 9:30 Friday night. The self-checkout cashier wasn't at his station and after waiting for him to get back and give me change I didn't think there would be a problem. He said the amount accurately and handed me cash and a receipt. It wasn't until the following morning I noticed he shorted me $10. Not a huge amount but I figured it was worth checking in to see if they could help me. I thought at the very least they would take my name and number and if the drawer had been short they would give me my money or at least a store credit.

So I went to the Customer Service counter and the clerk called for "C" the Head Cashier on duty. I explained the situation and she told me I should have come back the night before because she couldn't help me now. I said "I shop here a few times a week and that's all you can say" and she advised yes, I should have come back the night before. I wouldn't care if she lied to me and said she would check the drawer or forward it on to a real manager. Just something to feel like I was valued as a customer.

At that point I asked her "You don't care if you lose all my business over ten dollars?" and she SHRUGGED. She shrugged, said no and walked off.

While I don't feel as heated as I did about the situation yesterday, I am going to stick to my guns and boycott my local King Soopers, and perhaps all the locations, that is to be determined. When I was growing up it seemed that people took pride in their work, but I just don't see that these days in a lot of retail locations. It seems more prominent in industries like grocery stores where they know they're the closest and most convenient. I don't expected to be waited on hand and foot. However I do expect to be given the benefit of the doubt as a seven year customer at a location and to be treated kindly, not like I am in "C's" way.

So there is the end of my rant. What have I taken away from this? That respect works both ways, even in retail relationships and sometimes you have to walk away.