I recognize that I haven’t posted a blog for some time. I
have been really busy with other projects. The other day I had the burning
desire to get writing again. I really
love being able to talk to adults even though I may not be able to see their
faces or hear their reaction. I recognize that some of my followers may be
expecting a gospel lesson, and while this blog is different getting healthy is
still very important for a healthy spiritual life.
I am quite proud of my progress in tackling my New Years resolutions
this year. I really want to keep mine and continue to regain my strength after
batting chronic illness for years. I recognize there are many sides to consider
for the best approach in fitness. Yet the only sides I am really worried about
are the ones that don’t fit as well as I would like them to in my pants. I also
want the confidence back that comes from being in shape. I did not want to
waste considerable energy having to consider the shape I am in and using my
kung Fu skills on anyone that has a derogatory comment. I have worked hard at
correcting the problems that don’t get better by loosing a few pounds and now I
am ready to do the rest.
My new years resolution consists of a progressive goals
concerning fitness. I decided that I wouldn’t overwhelm myself with everything
I needed to change I would just do one part of my goal at a time until I felt
confident in it and then I would add to that goal the next challenge. I know
the level that I need to get to. I have been at the level I am reaching for
before, but I was extremely ill and so no matter how skinny I was I felt
horrible. Also it was a level that was quite easy to maintain when I was single
and not living with those whose diet includes cheese, and cookies as their own
food groups.
So what was my first step? CONQUER SUGAR! That means no
refined sugar. Of course this ended ice cream, cookies and candy. It also
included disappointing my husband who loved to see me get all-hyper after
eating something chocolate. Oh yes I said it…Chocolate was also out for more
reasons that sugar. I am starting to feel that sense of accomplishment I used
to feel in school when I just finished a project that consumed my life for
weeks.
Sugar is not my only vice. There are three other foods that
send my body into a fat packing revolt. Those are bread, high fat dairy, and
red meat. I would include processed meats but I have never really liked those
so it is not really a sacrifice to give them up. While I am already limiting
these foods, by the first week on February I plan have all of these fat packing
foods gone from my daily life. If I wasn’t
taking care of my little boy and a million other things right now I think I
would be able to tackle these challenges faster, but right now I am going to
rejoice in the fact that I am doing awesome in not eating sugar and chocolate.
Besides stress is hard on my health too. I have learned that balance is
everything.
The next on the list starting this week, NO HIGH FAT DAIRY
and for me that means CHEESE. For some reason my body has a love/hate
relationship with cheese. More clearly my taste buds love cheese, but my body
almost stops working when I eat it. My metabolism slows to barely alive and I
watch the scale numbers increase daily.
There you have it my next goliath the fitness challenge. Because I know this is the next challenge I
am starting to adjust my thinking and cut back to prepare for the inevitable. As for right now I am headed upstairs to have
a broccoli and cheese potato for the last time in probably a year.
After cheese is taken out there is really no reason for
bread. At least that is how I plan to console myself. BREAD! With all of the
carbohydrate deliciousness, even without sugar bread is still nice. I mean what
is eggs and toast without toast? I will tell you…eggs. That’s what I had for
breakfast these last few days... just eggs. I am trying to get myself ready for
the next task on my new year to do list.
Once I get into the groove of things it is not so bad. All I have to
remember is I am extremely blessed to have access to a variety of foods. I recognize
not everyone in the world is. I know that if I am in better health physically
maybe there is more I can do about that dilemma.
Lastly I will give up the beloved red meat. I vaguely
remember life before marrying a cowboy – when I hardly ever saw red meat. Now
getting a ½ a beef is as normal as the sun rising and setting. I love chicken
and fish and never felt deprived, but now I have others to consider. I am also
very used to making all my families favorite dishes – most of which call for
beef. I love to see that beefy dinner bring a big smile to my husband’s face and
hear comments like these from my son, “I like brown chicken.” It looks like it
is two against one right now. I would
have gladly chosen this one as the first food to give up, but starting with the
hardest to give up seemed like the way to make sure that I would succeed and
just keep me feeling good as I climbed the fitness ladder.
