This week was a good week! I celebrated my 17th wedding anniversary, I felt my training was successful and all major mishaps were avoided.

Then, on Sunday I ran the Partner Re 5k. I felt pretty good aside from the heat and the fact that I haven’t really participated in any regular running.

I’ve made all the excuses in the world this summer to justify my inability to go running.

While I totally enjoyed the race, as it is for women only and for such a great cause, I started to have this internal war inside my mind and it wasn’t pretty.

Here’s what went on in my head on Sunday: “Betty, you could have gone faster. Why didn’t you wear your Garmin watch? Why did you eat nachos yesterday?

“You need to get leaner. You’ve packed on ten pounds not running. You did better two years ago!

“There’s no excuse for not doing training runs. You’ll never get faster at this pace. This was your slowest year. You took it easy. Why would you do that on race day?”

There was more, but that is a sample of what went on. In the scheme of things, this race was not a big deal. However, this is what happens when we let our thoughts run rampant.

As a fitness professional it’s challenging to admit to myself that I haven’t been the best to my body or training as I should, much less verbalise it for the world to see.

It’s challenging to explain at times because people think that because I have muscular arms and post-workout videos that I am satisfied about how I look all the time.

That is not true. I have good and bad days just like everyone else. I have days where I feel invincible, but I also have days where I look in the mirror and see imperfections, or moments of struggling to love my body.

After that pity party, I decided to look at the positives. I’ve just completed a hilly 5K and even had a sprint left at the end.

Afterwards I went to my circuit class and worked out with everyone else.

I can climb, jump, run, crawl and do an occasional headstand. No amount of cellulite can stop those abilities. I may not be at my peak, but I can do some awesome things.

My challenge for you this week is to stop yourself when your mind goes in a downward spiral. Acknowledge the thought, but don’t let it define you.

Congratulate yourself for every mile you travel, every pound you lift and every workout you complete, no matter how small.

Turn every negative thought into a positive one! Trust the process and B-Active For Life!

• Betty Doyling is a certified fitness trainer and figure competitor with more than a decade of experience. Check her out on Facebook: www.facebook.com/B.ActiveForLife