I've decided I don't need January 1 to be my only definitive, re-joining of my journey in healthy living. So I say again, "Happy New Year," today to denote I'm trying yet again to make "healthy living" a way of life.
Here are a few reasons in no order of importance, as they all are:
- I'm nearly back to the weight/size I was when I began this journey...4 years ago!! I don't want the recent 4 years to have been like a non-existent twilight zone and I'm just right where I always was.
- My clothes don't fit and it's gross. Gross, I tell you.
- My poor fitness level isn't helping my overall physical functioning.
- I've recently observed some moments with my daughter that troubled me. It's my job to provide for her, teach her, and try to create a best-case-scenario for her. If I'm not my best, that's what she sees, and that's what she will strive for in herself. I've said it here a million times that I need to be a good role model. I've seen first hand recently why. It was truly heartbreaking and the weight of "mother's guilt" was heavy. Is heavy. This isn't really about my Mom on a Mission or Fit by Forty...it's about changing our lives for the better, forever.
It's because of this last bullet point that I've realized I have to start slower than I planned. When I imagined myself back into the swing of things, I pictured picking up where I left off. It's setting myself up for failure to do that. So. I've shifted my thinking to stop attempting a balls-to-the-wall effort to supposedly yield great results, when in actuality I've gotten the opposite results in the last 8 weeks, and think smaller. Slower. Working new habits into our daily functioning so that it doesn't always feel like "work." Dan is finally on board, my desperation apparently overwhelming him enough to "get it." We planned a week's worth of healthy (ier) meals. He's helping me by making sure I always have my water jug and my plant-based protein smoothie for a healthy, filling, delicious snack at work. We have stood strong against Vi at dinner time and not allowed her a PB & J alternative, encouraging her to try her beef & broccoli, which she ended up loving! (I didn't have the rice. ;)) AND...I walked on that dang treadmill. Just 28 minutes, but it's WAAAAY more than I've been doing. I've asked Dan to help keep me accountable with that, too. Just building some consistency. That's it. Just be consistent at SOMETHING!
For extra fun and motivation, I upgraded my Fitbit to the Surge. I. Love. It. It's a little big for an every day watch, but I think it looks cool, though!
I'll say this as well: I've recently attended a class through my ministry. Whatever you look to, gods, goddesses, Mother Nature, Mother Earth, The Secret, and so on...LOOK THERE. I found here some of the words I needed to renew my mind, have a clearer focus, and an understanding that as an individual I am capable. It has been spiritually fulfilling and I am so moved to encourage you to find the same wherever you look. I believe it's helping!
So maybe your New Year is starting on January 20th, too? Maybe it won't until March? As long as it starts. And I encourage you to chose the date. :)
