It's the Little Things

As Americans we tend to think BIG. Bigger is always better. But I have found that it is not always the case. With my realization that I need to shed a few pounds, I grew overwhelmed thinking about all the big things I needed to do. Cut out foods from my diet completely, join a gym, give up soda, etc, etc. While these are all great ideas, they were too big for me. Too much out of my comfort zone, too much at once. Most likely something that I would do for a few weeks and then jump back into my old routine and habits.

Instead, I started focusing on the little things that I could do that would contribute to an overall better and healthier me. I love sweets. I mean I really LOVE sweets. This doesn’t go well with the fact that I love to snack as well. During work, while watching TV, before I go to bed. So one of the little things that I have done was purchase almonds, grapes and happy cow cheese. I make sure that I always have one or another on my person. Instead of heading to the vending machine at work or making a trip to the local QT for some sweets, I snack on one of the healthier options.

It has also helped with my snacking on chocolate at home. Instead of going to the candy bowl (I know, it would be so much easier to get rid of the bowl, but I can’t…my husband is a mild chocoholic) I open the fridge and grab some grapes. Not as sweet and yummy, but I feel better about my choices after.

I have also started parking further away from where ever it is I am going. It does not have a huge impact, but it does add steps to my day, get my blood flowing a little more and, again, makes me feel better about my choices.

For those of you that do not know me, I am a Diet Coke junkie. I drink it first thing in the morning, clear until bedtime. I recently started just taking a limited number to work. Once they are gone, I turn to dreaded water. When I get home, instead of having regular Diet Coke, I drink Caffeine Free Diet Coke. Still not ideal, but having caffeine free vs. regular diet coke has allowed me to sleep better. I am not staying up as late because I jacked up on caffeine.

I know these are all little things and will not have BIG AMAZING EFFECTS, but these small things are allowing me to make healthy choices. These healthy choices can (and will) lead to additional, bigger healthy choices. It seems to be contagious. Once I do something that makes me feel even a little better, I want to do something else, and something else, and something else. So they were right when they said it’s the little things that count. What little things can you do, or are you doing to make a healthier you?

The Begining of the Journey

You never really realize that you are letting yourself go until it too late. Until your pants no longer button, until walking the dog around the park tires you out or until you no longer find happiness in the things you once did. Then it seems as though it is a domino effect. You don’t look good, so then your self confidence goes down. Because you feel as though you look unattractive in ANYTHING you put on, you don’t want to go out anymore. Because you no longer want to go out (because having NOTING fit makes you feel worse about yourself), you loose touch with friends, miss out on celebrations and so much more.

I am devoting the next year to getting my life back. To get my body back, my confidence, my smile and my lust for living. I have made a commitment to myself, and you, to bettering myself through working on my body, mind and soul. Fitness, health and wellness, continued education and trainings, strengthening relationships with family and friends, and giving more to the world and the people in it. I want to reconnect with the things that bring me joy, laughter and smiles. I want to be able to walk into a room with my head held high, not because I look amazing (though that would be great too), but because I am totally and completely comfortable with and proud of the person that I am and the choices that I make.

I will blog about steps that I am taking to reach the goals, activities and outings that contribute to the success of these goals, setbacks, successes, things that make me smile, things that make me feel stronger and so much more. Knowing me, this will be a bumpy, uphill battle, but one worth winning. Now that I have made this promise to you, I am more accountable and have a little more pressure to make sure I follow through. But I thank you for taking the time, and the interest to join my on my Journey to a Better Me!