Over the past few weeks, I’ve started noticing that things are changing for me. I’ve been on this weight loss journey for over a year now, and it hasn’t always been easy.
Now, there have been days where I’ve driven through a drive-thru to get a “snack” in the form of a small Hamburger. I’ve had trips to visit family where I couldn’t get enough sausage balls in my mouth.
But since Thanksgiving, I’ve noticed a big change in myself and in the way I look at this process. I got back from my trip, and got RIGHT back on track… no hesitation, no faltering. No binges. Just good solid healthy living.
While I still have about 20 lbs left to go on my journey, I’m starting to see this as “how I live” as opposed to “how I diet.” Sure, I’ve heard from ALL of the experts that it’s so important to change your life and not just diet…. but now, I feel like I’m living it.
I think a big part of the change is my membership at the YMCA. I don’t love working out, but I do love having that 30-60 minutes most nights that’s quiet and that’s mine. I leave my phone in the car. For those of you who know me well, you know this doesn’t happen very often. I completely disconnect during that time. I read while I ride on the recumbent bike, and I catch up on E! News if it’s on while I’m on the elliptical.
I still haven’t made friends with the treadmill. We’ve met, but I’m skeptical of her. |
It’s a time to do something great for my body while doing something positive for my mind. LOVE IT.
Now, don’t let me fool you into thinking that I go EVERY day. I don’t. And, don’t imagine that I like to go every time I go. Tonight, it was SNOWING and it took everything in me to get to the gym.
Going to the gym on a SNOWY night = DEDICATION! I would have NEVER done that a year ago. |
The other thing I absolutely love is that I don’t have to be as strict on my diet when I work out. For example, tonight I did a lame workout because my legs were sore from last night. So, I only burned about 294 calories; however, that’s still 294 calories more that I have to work with!
Not that I am going to eat them all, but if I decide to saute my brussels sprouts with some bacon tonight… it’s not the end of the world. And, it wasn’t.
Amazing – – Just Brussels, Onion, and Bacon |
I share this today because it’s probably the biggest breakthrough I’ve had. Maybe it’s a Christmas miracle! Either way, I’m just hopeful that it will stay. I love how it feels. And, I love that it’s starting to feel effortless. It’s starting to feel REAL and perhaps more importantly, sustainable.