Hello everyone! It has been many months since my last entry. Life became hectic and crazy, thus I was no longer about to find the time to update this blog. But, I have recently come to the realization that I missed writing it. Soooo, I will try it again! There are many topics rolling around in my head, like the marbles my daughter plays with and leaves in the floor for to me slip on later. It is difficult to choose which one to start with, but at least I have plenty of entries in mind! Should I start with New Year's resolutions, my new obsession with cooking, the genesis of female body image, or false societal stereotypes? Hmmm.... Since I am a bit OCD, and feel that things need to be in order. I think I will start with the topic of renewal. It is the new year, so that is kind of the theme for everyone anyway. For some reason, though, my renewal began on December 1st instead of January 1st. Let's back up a bit...
In November, I returned to my parents' home for the Thanksgiving holiday. In years past, this day was full of excitement at the prospect of delving into my mom's mouth-watering sweet potato casserole and pumpkin cake. But, this year, it just felt like overkill. So much food, although delicious as always, seemed wasteful and simply too much for one meal. Don't get me wrong, I ate it! But, the next day, I felt bloated and gross. I was uncomfortable in my clothes and honestly, in my body.
To be honest, the past few years have been filled with adjustments. We moved to a new town, I started a new job, my daughter started school, we left our family and friends two hours away...you get the idea. Things changed significantly. In the midst of all of the change, I filled our nights and weekends with fun, fun, fun...concerts, day trips, movies, vacations, shopping trips, and lots and lots of food. I wanted to make our new home so much fun that she would not even notice what was left behind. I had the "you only live once" attitude (yes, I went there...YOLO). Unfortunately, that translated into about 30 pounds for me and some very bad eating habits for my little girl.
I kept putting off losing the weight, until Thanksgiving. I just felt horrible when I got home. I was so exhausted and in such a bad mood, that I wanted nothing more than to crawl up into a ball and hide. I realized that I had lost some of my confidence and I was thinking of myself as a "fat girl." I have always been referred to as "that tall girl" or a "big girl"-- a topic I will get to later on! But, I never really put myself into the fat corner, until recently. I have actually weighed more than I did at Thanksgiving, but for some reason, it just hit me. I have to get healthy! I am all my daughter has, and this is my chance to be a role model to her on how to eat healthy. It is not really about me, its about HER! I don't want her to struggle with her weight and her health when she is older.
So, now is the time. I am 34 and she is 6. On December 1, she and I embarked on a new lifestyle. We are going to make healthy choices and eat better until it becomes automatic. It is not about weight, it is about health and happiness. Feeling good each day, and enjoying our life together rather than being tired all of the time. That means....no more soda (though she has never drank a soda in her life), no sweet tea, no chips and cookies. That means....fruits, veggies, grilled chicken, fish, fewer carbs. That means....riding bikes, playing basketball, doing Just Dance on the Wii, long walks, and being active. That means....not allowing our lives to revolve around food, not allowing "fun" to only be had when food is involved, and not allowing our weight and health to spiral out of control.
Over a month in, I have lost almost 9 pounds. I feel so much better! It has become easier for me to make healthier choices, and I don't really miss the junk food (although, Red Robin onion rings still sound phenomenal). The person having a harder time with the change is her! This just shows me how right I was to introduce this change. Her habits have already become so ingrained that they are very difficult to erase. She still wants her sweet tea and mac 'n cheese, but the snacking has become much healthier. She knows why we are doing it and that she is not being punished. Plus, who doesn't want candy and ice cream when you are six!?! I allow these things in moderation, but overall, I feel like we are headed down a much better path to health in the long run.
So, as everyone else is making New Year's resolutions, we are just hitting our stride in the one we made December 1. We have a renewed sense of life and control over it. Basically, you don't have to wait for the new year to start a renewal in your life. Just do it when your body, mind, and soul tells you it's time!
Thanks for reading my crazy thoughts! Tata for now!
