It's a Turtle, It's a Snail, It's Me, making a change!

Sometimes the truth hurts... but truth can also bring about change, motivation, improvement.

Several weeks ago Jeremiah and I went out to eat at Chili's. He ordered a salad because that was one of the few things on the menu that he could actually have. It included chicken, pineapple, lettuce, and many other good things and he chose some type of vinegrette as the dressing. I chuckled as we received our food because the waiters tend to think the salad is for the woman and the other food is for the man. I told Jeremiah I was proud of him for making such healthy choices in his eating so that he could be around for a long time... as I bit into my mini philly cheesesteak... then my buffalo wings... and finally my cheese fries!

It wasn't until later that I realized how stupid I was being! All this time I have been thanking Jeremiah for making healthy choices so that he can be around for a long time, while I continually make terrible ones for myself; thanking my good genes for my surprisingly healthy cholesterol levels and ability to somehow not balloon into the obese category. What am I doing?!? How selfish! And ignorant!

The past couple of months I have been struggling with my motivation to eat healthy and exercise. I just couldn't seem to get back in the saddle after being pregnant. I feel hungry nearly all the time and I am also having a hard time developing a schedule, particularly finding time to exercise regularly. But recently a couple of things have taken place to inspire/remind/encourage me to do something, anything, to get back on track and at least take baby steps toward living a healthier lifestyle. The first being our trip to Chili's. Even more recently was Zeke's 4 month appointment when the doctor had said Zeke could just start eating off our plates and I realized that I wouldn't want him eating the food that was on my plate. I've started eating more foods that are convenient and I have been cooking much less often. If I don't want my baby to be eating the same foods as me, then I need to change as well!

I've also become more and more discouraged with my clothes selection. I was happy to be able to fit into regular (read: non-maternity) clothes so quickly after having my baby, but those were all my "fat clothes." Now though, I am missing some of my clothes that I had just purchased before getting pregnant and I am wanting to wear them again.

I read this article from Livestrong last week: The Ultimate Guide to Fat Loss. I was encouraged by much of the article, but especially their suggestion to only change one habit at a time. I, like many others, am drawn to an "all or nothing" mentality when it comes to weight loss and choosing a healthy lifestyle. I think that either I must be exercising 5 days a week, eating only fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, and drinking 80 oz. of water OR eat anything I want and not make time to exercise (the latter being my current method of choice). It seems that I want immediate results or else it seems a waste of my time. But finally through these series of revelations I decided that I would make a change. I had decided on that change just before reading this article, but it has both reinforced my decision and encouraged me that even this one small change can and will make a difference!

Desserts, my greatest weakness, have taken over my eating. As I was considering how I might change my habits, I thought of failed attempts in the past -- completely cutting out desserts, giving up chocolate, only allowing myself one dessert item each day. Based on those attempts I realized that telling myself I'm giving something up only leads me to want it more, especially if the timeframe for getting them back is 'indefinitely." So I decided that I would try eliminating desserts on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. To many, that may seem like a small sacrifice, but for me and my current lifestyle, it has already proved to provide a challenge. A small change, but a change nonetheless.

To life... full of steps toward a beautiful heart!