I am in the middle of Week 22 and it's interesting how even after 22 weeks I find myself in a constant state of learning and changing. When I began making major lifestyle changes in May I never expected that setting myself on this path would teach me so much. But, it has and I have a hunch that 22 weeks from now I will be saying the same thing...
How have I changed in the last 22 weeks? What is so different about me today than the me 22 weeks ago? I asked myself these questions and honestly was surprised by the answers that came to mind. Sometimes when you don't see the progress that you expect to see it can be more difficult to see the small steps of success that you have accomplished. I was surprised by just how many "small steps" I had made...and how many of them had nothing to do with just weight loss.
1. Temporary change will not lead to happiness or success. Change has to be something that is embraced into your life and practiced every day. There is no going back only going forward. I have made so many permanent changes in my life. The food I buy, how I cook, what I eat, what I no longer eat, doing something active every single day, the people I share my life with, etc...so many permanent changes that I didn't even realize were small accomplishments
2. The only person who can change my life is me. Long gone are the excuses of having no time, knee injuries, migraines, not feeling well, not wanting to exercise alone, and the list goes on. Improvement starts with "I" for a reason. Only I can improve my health, my day, my relationships, and my life. If I don't get up and do something active or give it all I have then I am only hurting myself.
3. I am what I eat. Literally. A friend who wanted me to join her for lunch at a place where even the salads aren't remotely healthy had said to me.."M E you have been eating healthy and working your tail off, one day of eating bad isn't going to hurt, you deserve a splurge day". The funny part is that I expected myself to agree with her. Why not? It's just 1 meal or 1 day. But, I surprised myself when I didn't even feel the craving for those things. I actually wanted to eat something healthier, something where I knew what ingredients went into the food I was about to put in my body. I buy mostly organics, food without any artificial colors or flavors, and pay attention to the ingredients on the label more so than the calorie count. I have learned how to read labels and make nutritious choices.
4. My body can go a lot longer than my mind thinks it can. It is amazing how easily our mind can self-sabotage our efforts. When I am doing something intense and feel like I couldn't possibly make it another step without just falling over I tell myself 5 more seconds and then stop...and I keep telling that to myself until I really can't keep going. It's surprising just how many more "5 seconds" you have in you that your mind doesn't seem to think you have.
5. I can't control other people but I can control how I let other people impact my life. Sometimes it is difficult to not react or let another person's actions impact you especially when it is hurtful. Difficult and impossible are two very different things though.
I have realized that...
...Sometimes those that you put great trust in will sometimes be the first ones that let you down.
...Some that say they care are often the first to disappear when life gets tough.
...Some that you have always been there for won't necessarily be there for you.
...Most are oblivious at how hurtful their actions can be.
...It isn't that people have changed. It is that I have changed.
...No one can make me feel anything without my consent. I have to let them.
...Those that deserve my love and compassion the least are the ones that need it the most.
Although I can't control the actions of those around me or in my life, I can say with great certainty that I am in complete control of how I let it impact my life, and that makes all the difference.
Out with old...in with the new...and there are "new" lessons everyday to transform not only your body but your mind as well. The next time you hear yourself say "I can't", tell yourself "I'll try". When you feel like you have given it all you have, can't breathe, and couldn't possibly walk another step or jog another foot, tell yourself "5 more seconds and then I can stop". You are your greatest cheerleader and your strongest enemy. You can do more than you think you can.
Just like everything else in life...it just takes lots and lots of practice. :)
Keep Moving,
M E
How have I changed in the last 22 weeks? What is so different about me today than the me 22 weeks ago? I asked myself these questions and honestly was surprised by the answers that came to mind. Sometimes when you don't see the progress that you expect to see it can be more difficult to see the small steps of success that you have accomplished. I was surprised by just how many "small steps" I had made...and how many of them had nothing to do with just weight loss.
1. Temporary change will not lead to happiness or success. Change has to be something that is embraced into your life and practiced every day. There is no going back only going forward. I have made so many permanent changes in my life. The food I buy, how I cook, what I eat, what I no longer eat, doing something active every single day, the people I share my life with, etc...so many permanent changes that I didn't even realize were small accomplishments
2. The only person who can change my life is me. Long gone are the excuses of having no time, knee injuries, migraines, not feeling well, not wanting to exercise alone, and the list goes on. Improvement starts with "I" for a reason. Only I can improve my health, my day, my relationships, and my life. If I don't get up and do something active or give it all I have then I am only hurting myself.
3. I am what I eat. Literally. A friend who wanted me to join her for lunch at a place where even the salads aren't remotely healthy had said to me.."M E you have been eating healthy and working your tail off, one day of eating bad isn't going to hurt, you deserve a splurge day". The funny part is that I expected myself to agree with her. Why not? It's just 1 meal or 1 day. But, I surprised myself when I didn't even feel the craving for those things. I actually wanted to eat something healthier, something where I knew what ingredients went into the food I was about to put in my body. I buy mostly organics, food without any artificial colors or flavors, and pay attention to the ingredients on the label more so than the calorie count. I have learned how to read labels and make nutritious choices.
4. My body can go a lot longer than my mind thinks it can. It is amazing how easily our mind can self-sabotage our efforts. When I am doing something intense and feel like I couldn't possibly make it another step without just falling over I tell myself 5 more seconds and then stop...and I keep telling that to myself until I really can't keep going. It's surprising just how many more "5 seconds" you have in you that your mind doesn't seem to think you have.
5. I can't control other people but I can control how I let other people impact my life. Sometimes it is difficult to not react or let another person's actions impact you especially when it is hurtful. Difficult and impossible are two very different things though.
I have realized that...
...Sometimes those that you put great trust in will sometimes be the first ones that let you down.
...Some that say they care are often the first to disappear when life gets tough.
...Some that you have always been there for won't necessarily be there for you.
...Most are oblivious at how hurtful their actions can be.
...It isn't that people have changed. It is that I have changed.
...No one can make me feel anything without my consent. I have to let them.
...Those that deserve my love and compassion the least are the ones that need it the most.
Although I can't control the actions of those around me or in my life, I can say with great certainty that I am in complete control of how I let it impact my life, and that makes all the difference.
Out with old...in with the new...and there are "new" lessons everyday to transform not only your body but your mind as well. The next time you hear yourself say "I can't", tell yourself "I'll try". When you feel like you have given it all you have, can't breathe, and couldn't possibly walk another step or jog another foot, tell yourself "5 more seconds and then I can stop". You are your greatest cheerleader and your strongest enemy. You can do more than you think you can.
Just like everything else in life...it just takes lots and lots of practice. :)
Keep Moving,
M E
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