As I am listening to the radio this morning while driving my children to school..I hear a Dr. talking about New Year’s resolution’s, promises to do better in the new year, and commitments to oneself..and how the rate of failure is incredibly high…most of these empty promises were to lose weight, eat better, exercise more. It seems like every year “we” all decide to be more fit in the upcoming year..does this sound like you?
Fitness, eating well, and physical health are a few things that I am passionate about. No, I am not the epitome of health with a super fit body, or crazy gym schedule, BUT I am very conscious of what I eat, how much I exercise and how good I feel when I do these things. I know when my body has had enough, needs more, and wants to eat healthier. I don’t drink super heavily, don’t eat red meat, nor lots of fatty foods. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE sweets, and Mexican food and a good Margarita every now and then. I do allow for those splurges, but do them in moderation. I am a firm believer in moderation of everything. Why am I on my soap box you say? Let me explain some history and why I feel this way….
I grew up in a very loving, happy family. We had good family meals, whatever we wanted to eat, it was available. That was all fine and good when I was little and ran around a lot with friends, but as I got older and puberty hit, something changed. I was MUCH more sedentary and didn’t do extra curricular activity in school…BUT guess what didn’t change..my eating habits. I still ate junk..and sat around on the phone with my friends and watched TV after school. Slowly my weight started to creep up. I didn’t think much of it, UNTIL my “friends” started making comments, or poking my stomach, etc. I have always been short, so my frame could not handle the extra weight without showing it. I started wearing bigger clothing to hide the weight gain, and hoped no one would notice. I remember getting on the scale one day in 7th -8th grade and weighing 165lbs. I am only 5’2″…
I started Highschool the next year and something changed my life…I joined weight training as an elective. I was hooked. I loved how much better I felt, how much stronger and more fit I felt…but most of all how I felt about myself. I quickly started losing weight..but did not know how to eat still. That has proven to be the key for me. A little activity and eating right. That’s IT! No magic pills, crazy diets, or anything drastic. Fast forward to my adult life….
I am now 36, 2 kids and a wonderful husband later..and those same Middle School/Highschool feelings are still there. (Oh, and I don’t weigh 165 anymore) I am quite active now and sometimes border on obsessively exercising but also know a good balance AND moderation. I firmly believe that a little splurge won’t hurt you every now and then. It keeps you from getting bored with the same ‘ole routine of eating clean and working out.
I heard something yesterday while on the Eliptical..I was watching Dr. Oz to pass the time..and he was telling a very famous guest that in order to stop her bad habit that she has, she has to love herself more. Not to love her husband, kids or grandkids more, but love HERSELF more. That resonated with me because in order to care for the ones you love so dearly, you have to love yourself first. If you don’t care for yourself first, love yourself first, then who will care for them if something happens to you? I do love myself enough to care for my body..don’t get me wrong, I have a skewed self image..I will always see that heavier girl in the mirror, no matter what my scale says, BUT I have learned to rely on how I feel and how my clothes fit instead of the mirror. What has become more important to me though is how my little girls see me and what they think my self image is..because ultimately that will translate to them..and I don’t want them to have the same issues that I have. I want them to feel strong and beautiful, no matter what their mirror says too. I want to teach them that staying active and eating healthy with a moderation of “fun” foods make a much better lifestyle than the alternative.
SO, my soap box message to all my friends, readers, and loved ones is this….love YOURSELF more! Take care of yourself, make the effort (and it is hard, I know this) and don’t just make it a resolution for the month of January, or because that is what you are supposed to do…do it for the ones you love BECAUSE you love yourself MORE!
~Cheers!
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