Monday, November 25, 2013

Routine

I'm big on routine.  I like routine. I thrive on routine...

Just over a month ago I started a new morning routine, and I love it.


Every morning I sit, drink my coffee and write in my notebook.  I evaluate how I'm feeling, what things I might need to focus on and I rewrite my short term & mid length goals.  I also write my to-do list.  

It's been a great tool to help me focus.  If I'm having a rough afternoon I reread my goals because it reminds me of my "why". 

Find the things that will help you be successful!

Have a great day!  Have a great week! 

As always, keep moving forward....

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Out of my comfort zone...

So I've been contemplating cutting my hair for a while.  When it gets longer all I ever do is put it up and it was feeling damaged at the ends.  My husband suggested I go for it and do a short pixie.  So I went for it!


By the time I got home I was in a little bit of meltdown.  I've never had this much anxiety over my hair.  It grows. Nothing's permanent.  I know that, but I was still really stressed. I've made drastic changes before so it's not like this is really far outside my comfort zone, but for whatever reason this time was hard!!

Now that I'm a few days out I'm better.  I've gotten some really nice feedback.  I'm glad I went for it.  I think part of the reason I freaked out was because you can't chop this much hair off and have people not notice.  Having attention focused on me is freaking uncomfortable!!! 

Moral of the story.... Push yourself outside your comfort zone once in a while!  Go for it. 

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Living in Acceptance

I've been doing a lot of thinking.

A. LOT.

When I started this blog I had a lot of weight to lose, I had a lot of issues to explore and I was definitely uneducated in terms of exercise and nutrition.  

To be honest, I don't really feel like I have much to share these days.  I have good days, I have bad days, but in the end I know my body and I know what I have to do if I get "off track".  I exercise pretty consistently and in a way that works for me.  This is my life and I'm enjoying living a healthy one. To be honest, the blog has become a distraction in my life instead of a tool.  Thinking about what I should write about is a chore instead of something I enjoy.  That's why I just dropped off the blogging radar. Right now, I want to live.

That brings me back to the title of this post, "Living in acceptance".  I know I need to work on the acceptance area. I've been trying hard.  Here's MY truth: my boobs sag, my stomach is floppy and saggy, I have a thicker, more muscular build AND IT'S OKAY!!! I don't need to focus or stress on all my imperfections. No one is perfect and I don't think we should ever strive to be.  I am more than what can be quantified by the scale or looking at the outside.  I have worked hard to get to where I am and I am proud of the changes I have made.  And I should be proud of it.

No amount of exercise or diet will change the loose saggy skin I have. Surgery could, but that's not something I'm interested in doing.  My basic build cannot be changed without having different parents (and that's never going to happen, plus- I like them).  I can continue my exercise regimen and make some body composition changes, but I'll still have powerful legs, well developed glutes and strong shoulders.  My rib cage isn't getting any smaller either.  

That is how I'm built.  That is how I was created.  I am strong, inside and out, and I look good. I feel good. I am healthy.  Admitting to myself (and you ) that those things are true is difficult for me.  

Accepting myself as a beautiful, strong woman "feels" conceited. I was raised and taught to be humble.  It feels bad to acknowledge my progress.  But I will not diminish myself by shrugging off the glaring truth.  I have transformed.  It's okay to dislike the loose skin I have, but I need to stop letting the reality of it affect how I view myself.  Who freaking cares?  There are bigger things in life to worry about than if anyone noticed the lower belly "pooch" caused by hanging skin.  Confidence is not about having a perfect body.  Confidence is something else entirely, and I feel like I'm finally finding mine.


I posted this picture on Instagram and Facebook on November 1st, as a way to remind myself not to dive head first into the leftover candy from Halloween.  I was flabbergasted and embarrassed by the response it got. 
Yup, I was embarrassed.  Two days later I was still trying to analyze why.  I think it goes back to the pride/conceit/humility thing.  Dealing with compliments has always been difficult for me though.  So I'm trying to change my response.  I'm striving to live in a place of acceptance and pride AND humility... It's time to let go of the baggage.  I am enough, no matter what my outside looks like.  If I lose 10 more pounds, if I have saggy skin, I love me, in all of my imperfections.

I realize too, that somewhere along the way I've lost some of "me". Spunky, sassy, independent, positive, upbeat, silly, happy me.  It's easy to get mired in the minutiae that is everyday life.  It's going to take some concentration, effort and retraining to get it back.  I'm working hard on my reactions, my mood, my thought processes.  The results have been positive thus far.  

So where does that leave me?  Still in need of some work, but with more understanding of where my focus should be.  I want continue to be healthy & happy.  Everything else is just icing on the cake.  Our uniqueness is what makes us special and individual.  So I'm off to be me in all my beautiful imperfectness! The fate of this blog is still to be determined.  It has been a huge part of my transformation and I hate to abandon it.  I do want each and every one of you to understand though how much I appreciate your support and encouragement! 

As always, keep moving forward...