Lots of A-HAs

I had a big A-HA moment this week.  I've been trying to diligently track all my food & activity on My Fitness Pal and I've been somewhat successful.  If I don't do it immediately before or after a meal, it doesn't get done.  And then I have guilt.  Ugh, I'm so hard on myself!  I noticed one of my friends had her food diary as public.  I thought that was a bit daring.  I always had mine private because I didn't want people to see when I slipped up.  Of course whenever I started a new diet, I told my friends.  I couldn't dare to be seen as failing, even though everyone has a bad day.  And sometimes you just NEED pizza and wine.  Anyways, I realized that the best way for me to help others in my coaching was to show them what I was eating.  I've found that I need to eat a lot more calories than I thought and what better way to show others that you can eat a lot & still be healthy.  So I made the decision on Monday to make mine public (EEK!).  Now ALL of my friends can see EVERYTHING I log here.  If you're on MFP, my username is andee711.  I even promise to log the pizza and wine :)

I've always been a been a yo yo dieter (like the majority of us).  I go hard core for about a week or two, then I have a slip up, then I say "ah screw it".  And a few months later, I feel gross about myself and the cycle starts all over again.  I actually thought about it & I've been doing this for about 20 years.  Wow...20 years.  Since I was a teenager.  In all that time, I never found something that clicked for me.  I finally feel like this is it.  Since January, I've been eating right (90% of the time) and exercising pretty regularly.  Sure I have weeks where I just don't have it in me or I'm super sore and those days I give myself a break.  I allow myself to take a break instead of beating myself up about missing a workout or eating junk, which is often the beginning of the end for me.

I'm seeing changes in myself that I never thought I'd see.  First there are the physical ones...less wobble in my arms, the backs of my thighs are noticeably smaller, and I HAVE to put my jeans in the dryer.  Now the mental changes.  I feel better about myself.  I feel better in who I am and in the knowledge that I am setting an example for my family (gotta love it when your 4yr old joins you in your workout).  My anxiety is better because I get all of this nervous energy out.  I know I am doing something good for ME and as a mom, it's sometimes hard to enjoy something that is just for you and not for your whole family.  But wait a sec, I AM doing this for my family!  (that was a serious a-ha moment after I wrote that last sentence)  My healthy lifestyle is benefiting them as much as it is me!  We went for a big walk Easter Sunday instead of just lazing around the house.  My husband is going for a run most nights.  My boys, who are already active, are more in tune with healthy eating.  Though as I type this my 4yr old is gnawing on a big chocolate bunny but, whatevs, it's spring break, he's been playing outside most of the day and is covered in dirt.

Get your family involved!  Get your friends on board!  YOU can be the catalyst to everyone around you being healthier!

http://bit.ly/1dpmHFG