Start Somewhere

It's typically easier to just stay where you are (even if you are unhappy) than to make a change.  Big change, small change it doesn't seem to matter.  Change is hard.  In this instance, making a lifestyle change is hard because it seems like such a daunting task-if I look at where I am now, and where I ultimately want to end up, I have A LOT of work ahead of me.   Then I realize, that's the old me-the old way of thinking.  I want to approach this differently.  Everyday will be a success.  I want to celebrate all of the little positive steps along the way.  I want to be happy that I woke up feeling energized, even if the number on the scale didn't change. I want to be happy that I chose veggies over chips (no small feat for me!). I want to be happy that I played at the playground with JJ for an hour without being tired.  I want to be my biggest cheerleader.

So that is what I am going to do.  I am not waiting for the "perfect" time to start making these changes.  Today is the day, however un-perfect it may be- I am starting somewhere.  Cheering myself on along the way.  

I spent 30 minutes on the treadmill (Monday 8/25) doing Bill Phillips Body for Life interval training and then speed walking at the end.  And I made good food choices all day long. Even out to dinner with my hubby celebrating 7 years of marriage! We had sushi, my fave, and we asked for light rice and skipped all the tempura rolls. It was delish.  Day one was a SUCCESS!

I know it will be tough to make good choices everyday, but as time goes by I won't want to make the bad choices because the good ones make me feel so much better. So I am starting somewhere-hoping to never end this journey because it's going to be a life changing one. I just know it. 

Nothing Tastes as Good as Healthy Feels!

We all know the quote "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels".  It's supposed to motivate you to put down that brownie, or stop eating that slice of pizza, because darnit, skinny feels good.  But as I am sitting here today, creating my new "Health and Fitness Goals", I realized something.  Why is  my goal only to lose weight-"get skinny"? That should only be one of the countless rewards to making a positive change in my approach to health and fitness.  And in my opinion, it definitely shouldn't be the first thing on my mind while I am writing out my goals. 

I want to be healthy for my family, for my son JJ-that's got to be numero uno, right? I want to run and play and create with him all day, without constantly thinking about how tired I am.  

I know I am tired because I am not fueling my body (and my soul-that's a whole other post) with good for me, clean, healthy foods.  I can't start my day on two cups of coffee with creamer and maybe have breakfast or maybe not.  I can't go to the cupboard while I am fixing his healthy lunch, and eat chips and salsa and some of his organic mac and cheese as my lunch and think I will find any energy there, or a balanced meal. I can't snack in the afternoon up until dinner and then pick at dinner while I am fixing it and then sit down to a full serving with my family.  All of these things add up to unhealthy eating, lots of snacking and then feeling depressed by my choices.  That has to stop.  I know how good I feel when I am eating 5 small meals throughout the day, filled with healthy meals and ingredients, that keep me energized throughout my day.  I feel GOOD. The choice should be easy, but for me I always go back to the foods I "love".  Chips, sweets, pizza.....blah blah blah.  While all of those things should be enjoyed, they need to be enjoyed in moderation. Once or twice a week, but certainly not every day. 

I know I am tired because I am not being active enough.  I have run four half marathons.  I know what it feels like to be in good shape ( and a least one time- great shape!).  I know how you feel more energized, happier and all over better when you are working out, pushing your body to the limit 4 or 5 days a week.  It's amazing what our bodies can do and how they can transform with just an hour or so everyday.  

So why is it that I have started this journey countless times, often achieving amazing results, but I keep going back to the "old me".  I've been thinking about this a lot lately, and I think I know why.  I am always "dieting",  trying the newest cleanse or workout craze.....but have I ever decided to make a lifestyle change?  Not to just lose weight, although that is something I definitely need to do, but to make a positive change for me, for my family, and for my mental health as much as my physical health.  I don't think I have ever done that.  

So today, I am embarking on that journey.  I am not going to do a cleanse, or a diet, or a 30 day ab shred.  I am just going to make choices.  A choice to be active.  A choice to fuel my body with healthy, energizing, clean food.  A choice to be happy.  It's really that simple isn't it? Why do we make it so hard.  Oh right.......because those chips, brownies and pizza taste so darn good.  

But you know what?

Nothing Tastes as Good as Healthy Feels!! 

Go out and get it!

Kara