Monday, August 21, 2006

one step at a time

Thanks so much to all of you who commented with suggestions and support on my last post. It really helped me to feel like I can do this!

Today was not a HUGE success, but I'm taking it one step at a time. I didn't eat as well as I want to, but I also didn't go out of control eating junk, and I went for a 45 minute walk with Eva this evening. (Why do I so easily forget how much I love the tingly feeling in my legs that lets me know my circulation is going and I'm doing something good for my body?) Oh, by the way, my heel pain has disappeared and I hope it's gone for good! (knock on wood)

Even better, I stopped at my neighbor's house when I got home. She also has a new bike and so I asked her if we could work out a time to go riding together. We decided to try riding at 9:00 a.m., after all of our kids are off to school. She's going to Lake Powell this week, so while she is gone, I'm going to set up the bike trailer and try a few trial runs with it empty. Then maybe with something else in it besides Eva. Hopefully by the time Heidi gets back, Eva and I will be good to go. Too ambitious? I hope not. I think Heidi and I are pretty well matched with our fitness levels right now, so we should be good partners.

I went to the store and bought some yummy produce and other items, I'm going to cut up some veggies so I can have easy access, and I'm writing down everyone's suggestions for breakfasts, lunches, and snacks. It's funny, a lot of these things are things I've eaten in the past, it's just that I seem to have forgotten my healthier ways. (I think it is a blessing that I love most all foods, so it is really not hard for me to eat a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, etc. if I put my mind to it. Sometimes it's a curse to love most all foods, too, but you know what I mean, right?)

Here's my updated list of strategies for success:
  • no cookies OR m&ms for breakfast
  • write down everything I eat (more accountability)
  • exercise 5x a week
  • keep lists of healthy meals and snacks that I enjoy that I can refer to often
  • try to be more in tune with my body so that I don't eat when I'm not hungry
  • likewise, try to stop eating when I am satisfied
  • try not to eat late at night
  • drink more water (I think I already drink a decent amount, but I suppose I can increase that amount a little)
I really don't want to feel like I'm on a diet, more like I'm making healthy changes that I can maintain indefinitely. I want to care for my body the way it deserves to be cared for. I want to learn to love my body. (Thanks, Tasha, for the inspiration on that front! Currently, I love my lips. I think I can learn to expand the love.) Thank you, thank you for all of the great ideas! And, I'll keep you posted on my progress.

p.s. Amie, I totally want you as my check-in partner!!

15 comments:

Amy said...

Good luck Michelle! My biggest piece of advice (and this is really just in support of one of your strategies for success) is to write everything down. It's amazing how that works! I've been doing it for a few weeks now and I'm down 8 pounds! Accountability, even to your journal, is a very good thing! I can't wait to hear more, and to see your results.

Amie said...

I am inspired by your good day and impressed that you exercised AND found a work out partner. You are off to a running start! We will have to work out a check in plan.

Anonymous said...

So awesome Michelle! I too am impressed that you found a work out partner so quickly- that is something I am still working on. I don't think it is too ambitious to start the biking thing, I am sure you and Eva will both love it. Keep us posted!

Elisa said...

I was so inspired by your blog last night, and then I just ate a bowl of ice cream for breakfast. What is my problem?

Jill said...

I think it's wonderful that you can go bike riding with Heidi. You'll get the benefit of having someone to help make you go AND someone fun to talk to. You'll probably come home feeling great that you exercised and great that you had adult conversation and laughter. Good plan.

Diana said...

You are so incredible. I really admire people who set goals and stick with them. I am struggling with that right now in my life.
Good luck I know you can do it.

Jana said...

You can do it! I love your dedication.

amy gretchen said...

i think you have the best attitude for keeping up your goal. it's all about long term and what works for you. I need to make healthier choices as well. it sounds like our breakfest was pretty similar. good luck to you.

Anonymous said...

I need to work on that first one on your list--cookies and M&M's are some of my favorite breakfast items, as well, but when I start off my day that way, it just goes downhill from there. You have the perfect attitude: you're not on a diet, you're making a healthier lifestyle for yourself--which, btw, does not mean that you can never have chocolate again! Giving yourself permission to eat a little of the things you love and crave makes it a lot less likely that you'll binge on those things--does that make sense? You go girl!

Anonymous said...

Good. Very good , good good good , so good , WAY good, GOOD!!!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on a good start! All pursuits in life consist of one day at a time. I am glad to hear of your attitude, of seeking a healthy lifestyle. And am really pleased that Heidi is interested in riding with you. That will make it so much easier to make it a habit.

charlotte said...

You can do it! Your determination and recommitment are admirable!

jenny said...

I ditto Amy H. I couldn't believe how much I actually ate or was eating until I wrote it all down.

And you really don't have to feel like you are dieting just in moderation like amy w. said yesterday. You can eat what you want just not HUGE portions.

Good luck and we are all rooting for you!!

Anonymous said...

The best of luck Michelle. You sound like you are a good place to begin this! Hope the biking goes well!

Laurie said...

Good luck Michelle. I love the plan to write things down. I'm going to have to try that.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...