Tuesday, August 30, 2016

A Major Victory!

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Yes! This is for real. I've had a few false-starts this past year at getting my mojo going but there is nothing false about this start. I'm in week three of exercising and eating better and I am seeing SO MANY results. I can't even believe how much better I feel. I should make a list.

Things that are better now that I'm eating better and exercising regularly (and getting more sleep):

1. My body already feels better, fewer aches and pains
2. I wake up feeling rested
3. I have energy to last all day, no need/want for an afternoon nap or coffee
4. My mood is better, fewer cranky/grouchy moments
5. My clothes are fitting better 
6. I feel more confident and optimistic knowing I'm taking care of myself
7. I am already seeing improvements in the gym. I did two sets of 10 pushups the other day.
8. I'm more relaxed about social functions knowing I can handle the food/drink temptations.

I would say I don't know why I waited so long but I know why, I wasn't ready. And you know what, I've been thinking, and this whole thing is a major victory. MAJOR. 

I went into a sustained period of low motivation...as in months and months, maybe even more than a year, of not feeling it. And what's the worst thing that happened? I went 15 pounds over my goal weight and lost a lot of fitness. Totally. Manageable.

What didn't happen? I didn't slip into a totally sedentary lifestyle and I didn't give up and eat a bunch of crap on a regular basis. In other words, I didn't fall off the wagon into an all-is-lost, who cares anyway?, denial state of mind. I didn't stop weighing myself, I didn't hide from the issue, I didn't lie to myself and pretend it wasn't happening. That's what would have happened in my old life, that's what DID happen in my old life. But no more. Now, I can go through a rough patch and keep it sort-of together. I am choosing to give myself a HUGE pat-on-the-back for coming out of this with just a little catch-up work to do but no major renovation. YAY!!

I'll close with a few pictures. I made this blackened chicken salad with low-fat blue cheese, avocado, tomato and cucumber (no dressing) last night for dinner with my buddy Michelle. We got to hang out, catch up and enjoy this feast of a meal.



Soccer season is back! And Myra is WAY into it this year. Practices are in the late afternoon so this is a good example of my having energy. I don't sit there feeling exhausted. So fun! This is a picture from Myra's first game. She scored goals and was so happy and I loved watching her play.



And this is from Marek's first game. He's totally into it and it's a joy to watch. Both of them have great coaches. So lucky to have a sport they both love!



Ok, that's it from me for today. Thanks as always for all the encouragement.

19 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing, and big congrats! I myself have been struggling to keep things under control since the beginning of the year. I am up more than 20 pounds my 100 pound lost mark, and it's making me really sad! BUT I still haven't fully given up. Posts like this give me hope. I just cannot go back to the way I was again. :(

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    1. You don't have to! Keep treading water, connect your day-to-day behavior and choices with your larger goal, even if it doesn't change things right away. You will find the way, know that and believe in yourself!

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    2. Thank you. I am trying to believe... I mean, I've done it! Day to day it's struggling. I have one or two good days and then a few "bad" ones. I should probably weigh in every day for a while just to make sure that I am not totally going off the deep end, but I am dangerously close to the 300 pound mark again and I hate it. Apparently not enough, though, to do much about it. :(

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  2. I'm glad your back into the swing of things and got your mojo back! I know when I'm in that situation that it feels really good to know I'm doing what's right for me again. And your babies look like they're having so much run playing soccer!

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  3. good for you girl, for fighting that all-or-nothing mentality. it's definitely not easy. it isn't the occasional low periods that can ruin our hard work, but when we let the lows turn into black holes that are so deep we feel like we can't even see out of them!

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  4. I'm glad you're back too :) that salad looks so darn good and your kids look Great out there. Congrats on being that active mom!! I cannot wait to hear about your backpacking trip! I just got back from climbing to Mt Leconte in the Smokies. We stayed at the lodge. a bucket list item it was Super cool....

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    1. I still haven't posted my backpacking trip entry yet :(

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  5. Thanks for sharing such a heartfelt post, Michelle. I know what you mean about slipping into periods of low motivation. It can be so hard to find that mojo again to get started. I actually just realised this post was dated back in August! Hope you start blogging again. I just discovered your blog but I'm loving it :) S

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