When you are a parent, it's easy to think about yourself last. When I'm plating supper, I am the last to sit down. Their schedules come first, their needs come first, their feelings come first. In my opinion, this is just a natural course of action. Sure, occasionally I make decisions that accommodate myself first. For example, 16 months ago, I made my health a priority and started going to the gym. I'm not going to pretend that I am an expert, I am like a first grader when it comes to health and fitness, barely reading. I am not 'jacked' and I'm also not ready to run a marathon. However, I compiled a list of "TRUE STORY: this could change your life, think about it!" ... life tips.
1. Skinny does not equal healthy. I spent the first year of my journey 'wishing I was skinny'. Big mistake. A few reasons this was a mistake for me... I do not see myself for what I really am. When I look in the mirror, I just see all the work I need to do, failing to recognizing the WINS- BIG WINS I have accomplished. That is not a healthy way to look at yourself. It is damaging and not beneficial to your overall well being. Reason number 2, I've seen many skinny little darlings that could not keep up with me. I have gained stamina, strength, and endurance in the body. I have gained stamina, strength and endurance in the MIND. I have learned... I don't need to reach to be someone elses size that I have deemed "skinny" in order to be healthy. Think about it. It's time to love yourself. The self that is taken care of, rested, yet worked hard.
2. Cut up the blasted celery. Cut it up, all of it. Clean your produce, wash it all off and USE it. I have no idea how much $$$ I have wasted on fresh vegetables and fruits. When I don't make it super accessible and ready to go, it rots. Wasteful. Sometimes I hear people say, I just need something sweet.. :) Smiley face? No smiley face. Eat an apple, its really quite sweet. Your body isn't telling you to eat something "sweet". Your body is chanting "Feed me sugar, feed me sugar" and were all giving in!!! BoooOOOooo!!! I have learned to HATE the power that sugar has over me. It annoys me, so I do what any strong willed woman would do... pout. Okay, just kidding. I try to show sugar who is boss and say no!
3. Nike had a point. Just do it! Like, for real. Don't even think about it another second. Start somewhere, continue on, push harder, do what you can. I mean, whatever it is, JUST DO IT! Get moving! Matt and I took a mile walk with the kids the other day, the three oldest rode bike and we pulled the twins in a wagon. I walked a pretty fast pace so I could see where the boys were at all times. I was not winded, I could have gone longer. This is not how I started, but man, it feels good to finally be here. To keep up with the kids and not be exhausted. I can't even further explain my triumph in this moment. My husband has always been a fast walker, 2-3 steps ahead of me. Not anymore, I'm doing it!!
4. Scales are dumb. I had great success with the scale for my first 40 pounds. I dropped those off like a goodwill donation, no thank you- don't need a receipt, just glad to not have all that taking up space ;) The next 5, felt more like a root canal. I've never had one, but I can only imagine. It was painful, hard work. It was slooooowww going, and it felt like no matter how hard I worked, nothing actually worked!! But then... I got a little smarter. A little birdie had told me time and time again -- measure!! Take measurements. Did I listen, no. Not until I got desperate and on the brink of giving up. Finally, I took some measurements and by-golly George. Who would've ever guessed that muscle takes up less room than fat?? Scales are dumb. I just about gave it all up over "lack of scale victories". Don't let the scale have that much power. How you feel, how your jeans fit, how much energy you have --- those things count too. Think about it.
5. Make yourself a priority. Your family will thank you for it! Your health is a valuable thing to you and to your family. Taking time to work out can benefit both your health and your mood. I know I need the time out sometimes. It's a struggle for me some evenings, because I REALLY just want to spend time with my husband. I just want to sit on the couch, watch mindless TV, scroll on my phone, eat popcorn and enjoy the peace. However, I've never once regretted getting to the gym and getting my workout on.
6. You don't have to always go "Beast Mode". Before I started working out, I thought of it as this strenuous, sweat pooling, can't breathe, body rippling activity. I was intimidated. I started slow, like... wayyyy slow. I've worked my way up where I can go "Beast Mode" if that is what I choose on the given day. Heavy lifting is a powerful thing, running is a powerful thing... both have helped me to achieve some of the results I was looking for. I did NOT start there. I do NOT always go hard hard HARD at the gym. Push yourself, yes. Work your muscles until they are sore. However, do NOT let the gym intimidate you.
7. Find an accountability buddy. Find someone who will share successes and struggles with you. Share tips and tricks, recipes and workout strategies. Laugh with each other, pray for each other. Work out together, encourage each other. The value of a person like this is exponentially unidentifiable. I have no clue how long ago I would have thrown in the towel if I did not have a super extraordinary accountability buddy. Find one, and be the person that believes in them 1000% of the way -- I guarantee they will reward you back with the same kind of intense support.
8. Healthy eating is a daily battle for me. I love food, yummy yummy, tasty food. I love carbs and sugar. I see no reason to deny the fact that food is my drug. I could eat more and more and then some more!! Food is not like other drugs. Other drugs are not essential to life, food on the other hand is. Its like tight rope dancing, you need to eat... but only what your body NEEDS to FUEL itself. This concept has help me a lot. Food is like fuel for your body. Some foods fuel your body to help you have energy and get through the day and all the activities of the day. Some foods are actually terrible fuel. They work for a short time and then peter out on you and cause moody behavior or sometimes they even make you more tired. Fuel your tank with the things that are going to help you, not hurt you.
9. Everything is good in moderation. Indulging is bad bad bad... bad bad bad. It can wreak havoc on your goals and set you back to the point where you might feel like 'whats the point?'. I have been there... Denying yourself access to things entirely, is going to make your disobedient behind even more tempted to just say "it's my party and I'll cry if I want to!!!" Taking foods and making them off limit has led me to more disobedient food choices than I care to admit. When I allow myself slight access, I feel I have more of a take it or leave it approach. Who knew I was such a rebel???
10. It's a journey. It's a lot of choices day after day. Believe in yourself!!! So much of an active lifestyle is mind over matter. If I can do it, you most certainly can!
