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