Okay, in all seriousness I've come to realize that this is a very counterproductive way to look at the major changes that I want to implement in my life. Why? Because my life isn't starting over.
My home is still in whatever state of cleanliness I left it last night. My kids are still here, bouncing off the walls, jumping in for hugs, and making me love my messy life as a mom. Fairies having come in and replaced the food in my pantry or fridge. I didn't wake up a different person. I didn't wake up 60 pounds lighter. I'm just me, with the determination to want to change the current trajectory of my destiny. But those changes haven't started yet.
I've had this on my computer for a while, and can't remember where I found it. But I love it. This is a much healthier way of looking at the journey to becoming a healthier person. Each day we are faced with a multitude of choices. Some healthy, some not.
When I say to myself "today is the first day of the rest of my life" I find that I am setting myself up for failure. Making an unhealthy choice means that I have failed in my journey. That my life hasn't changed. And then I get discouraged, because if I can't stick to it, what's the point? You might as well hand me that entire chocolate cake. At least then my taste buds would be enjoying themselves.
But when you say "today is another chance to get it right" it doesn't matter what happened yesterday. It doesn't matter if you ate the healthiest, most wholesome foods, or way too much processed, over-sugared delicious junk at the neighborhood Barbecue. All that matters is that you consciously make healthier choices today. And as long as your healthy days outweigh your unhealthy ones, you're going to be moving in the right direction.
Today I got on the scale. And since
203.4
Not my finest hour, since 3 months ago I weighed 10 pounds less. But considering when I got married 6 years ago I weighed about 20 pounds more I know I have made progress. My inconsistent efforts at living a healthier lifestyle have resulted in a 20 pound loss. Imagine what I could do if I was intentional! And if 20 pounds doesn't seem like a lot, go to Walmart, pick up a couple of 10 pound weights, and walk around the store for a while.
I've got some work to do. And that's okay. So it's time to make a plan. What's the plan?
Honestly, I don't have one. Planning, for me, is tantamount to failure. I waste hours upon hours of my life planning for the changes I'm going to make. Only to be too exhausted to actually implement them. I'm truly my own worst enemy.
So right now I don't have a plan. I've got some ideas. I'm just jumping in, determined to make healthier choices. Over the next few weeks my goal is to formulate a "plan" by making these changes daily, figuring out what's working, and then sticking with them until they don't and it's time to adjust.
One thing I am doing, however, is adding daily affirmations to my arsenal of ways to combat wanting to run to the store and get a soda or some other crutch food. I'll be honest. I feel pretty stinking stupid doing positive affirmations. Talking to myself in the mirror makes me feel like a narcissist. (Okay, writing this blog makes me feel like a narcissist too.) But I have heard wonderful, amazing things about positive affirmations. And it's one of the few things that I haven't really tried before. So why not give it a shot. I'm still trying to figure out what my affirmations are going to be. And once I know I will share them.
Today is Another Chance to Get it Right
Time to go make my green smoothie.
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What intentions do you have to make today a healthier day? Share in the comments below!
