Make a Habit

I’m so humbled by the response I’ve received from my first two blog entries!  Thank you so much for the support!  As we continue I want to be clear that my weight loss and fitness goals are very realistic.  I have no intention of trying to look like Gisele Bundchen.  Lord knows the bikini waxes alone would kill me.  I just want to be the very best version of myself, which is probably more like a post “Dancing with the Stars” Ricky Lake.

With that said, twenty two days ago I embarked on a soul searching, find inner peace, and love yourself journey.  I have been saying kind things to myself, working on my body’s spiritual energy, and… eating.  A lot.  I’m doing the mind & spirit work, but not following any nutritional guidelines whatsoever.  As a result I have taken on the exact symmetrical shape of a sphere.  My torso is a perfect circle. I am the "apple shape" personified, and it isn't nearly as healthy as it sounds. 

In addition to the extra pouds I'm packing on, I also have major brain fog.  At least that’s what I hope is going on, or I am in serious need of a good neurosurgeon.  All the sugar and unhealthy carbs are affecting my thinking.  Just tonight a guy made a joke to me about solving a problem with his good friend “Jack Daniels.”  I pride myself on being fairly quick witted, so when all I could yammer was, “Yeah, I know, I prefer my friend, uh, you know, the umm, tequila guy,” I knew this was my brain’s way of protesting my current nutritional regime of all things white & sugary.  Yes, I want to make this a journey about loving myself enough to consciously choose the right foods; but, in the meantime I’d like to avoid having to ride one of those motorized shopping carts at Wal-Mart because I am too fat to walk the aisles.

Moments ago I read a quote on Facebook that said, “We first make our habits.  Then our habits make us.”  Maybe first I have to make changes in my diet, even if it is unenthusiastically, and then love will follow?

Two years ago I adopted a very healthy eating plan that I actually enjoyed once my body got over the shock of not being fueled by sugar.  I ended up losing 30 pounds before I began to self-sabotage in typical “Janel behavior” (much more on that later).  My energy soared, my thoughts were clear, and as an extra bonus people quit asking me when I was due.  It’s not a quick fix, there’s no magic pill.  It’s just a lot of planning ahead and eating protein, whole grains, and healthy carbohydrates. 

I was hoping to fall head over heels in love with myself first, and then have the motivation to properly nourish my body, but maybe if I first make the habit, the habit will make me.

Love & blessings!