Small Victories

As I continue on in my fitness journey, I have been learning so much. I have tried different things in the past, primarily focusing on losing weight, and I have failed. This time, I have learned a few key things that have kept me on track and kept me motivated to stay with it through even the tough times.

1. WATER!!! I know it, you know it, we all know it. Drink water! They say it all the time, and it still needs to be said. I have been so pleased to find that it really is only a struggle to "force" myself to drink all that water for a few days. If you stick with it, it gets easier and easier to reach for the water bottle throughout the day instead of an alternative beverage. I am still adjusting to the number of trips I need to make to the restroom, but I am making such progress in this area of my wellness that it is worth it.

2. Don't save calories for the end of the day. Maybe this is something only I do?? Even when I started with the BodyLab app, they set aside certain caloric values for each meal along with a broad total for the whole day. As I would go throughout the day, I would try to be under the meal totals, and then at the end of the day I would be able to eat the rest of the calories right before I went to sleep! Or I would eat a lighter breakfast knowing that then I would have more calories available for dinner. That is just silly. I finally realized maybe that wasn't the best way to do things. Who would have thought! The way BodyLab distributes the calories is intentional. I eat much more for breakfast and the first snack of the day than I do for dinner. I'm finally letting go of that idea that dinner has to be huge and it has to be heavy. It's been a big change for me, but again I am liking the benefits.

3. Celebrate small victories. This goes hand in hand with don't focus on the number on the scale. This has been the biggest thing to learn and practice in order to stick with it and make lasting changes. There are going to be days when I gain. Excuse me, there HAVE been days when I have gained. This doesn't mean that all is lost or that I failed. I try to focus on what I had control over. I ask myself those questions when I weigh myself and try to remember that those are more important. I ask, "did I go overboard with eating? Did I drink the water I needed to? Did I workout and not skip anything? Have I been sluggish or lazy?" Because sure, I would appreciate a smaller number on the scale, but what I really want is to live a full life without restraint due to poor health. If I focus on the positives, this journey is actually really exciting. This week, for the first time, I ran for 9 minutes straight without slowing down to walk. Probably not a big deal at all for most of you, but for me it was a first and I chose to celebrate it!! Of course I still want to improve, but I can appreciate the steps that I take toward my goal. I also drank OVER the recommended water for a day. I didn't just stop as soon as I could, but I actually enjoyed drinking the water and chose to continue. That was a celebrated success. I ran twice this week BEFORE 8:00 am. I am not someone who enjoys running OR getting up early, so I was proud that I made that choice and stuck with it. These are just a few of my small victories that I got to celebrate this week. Not one of them had to deal with my weight, but I am still considering them positives and because of that I am encouraged to continue on and do my best.

I am excited to improve and tell you all about what else I learn. I already have my next goal and that is meal planning. I have done this on and off in the past, and I love when I do it. It's just a matter of sacrificing a little time to plan it out and it saves so much temptation during the week or wasted energy trying to decide later. I have a lot of success with sticking to the plan, if I could just take the time to make a plan! So that is my next goal-I will have to let you know how it goes.

Also here is just a progress picture. I didn't notice much difference in the picture. I have lost 5 pounds and 4 inches! But when I put these pictures side by side I could definitely notice in the face and neck. More pictures to come hopefully!