A week ago today I blogged and said that I would cease drinking soda, minus a one day a week cheat day. I have, officially, been soda free for one full week! It feels great to accomplish a goal that I set down in print, and shared with the world. It has not, however, been easy.
To be honest, I had visions of drinking water/Crystal Lite and feeling healthy, rejuvenated, and energetic. Instead, what I got was a migraine. Let me clarify, from day one through to day 6 I had a migraine to the point I wanted someone to take an ax and chop my head off. Even migraine medicine (with it's weeny'ish amount of caffeine) didn't do the trick to give relief. I caved one day and had a small mocha and that didn't do anything. What I did notice, though, was that each day the migraine and sluggish feeling lessened (not by much, but enough to have some hope and a pin prick of light at the end of the tunnel).
This has made me cranky. I'm cranky towards myself, my parents, my kids, my husband, the kids I work with. You name it. Yet I continued to plug along. At my son's 5th birthday party I was somewhat sullen, head pounding, trying to seek meaning in the idiocy of a mere drink ruining my life. Then Sunday came, my cheat day. I made certain to drink plenty of water before finally drinking the diet coke I had so badly needed during the week. As I drank the soda, I realized that it did nothing for me. The taste was okay, but nothing to crave. I am happy to say that I drank way less than I normally would on a cheat day, and am contemplating not having it even then.
I will admit that, despite doing so well, I cheated today and had 1/4 of a can of Diet Coke. I don't even know why I did it, the migraine had left, I did not (and do not) miss the flavor. It was like a routine of needing something in the morning other than just water, a call that I answered. Yet when I started drinking it, I felt guilty, and ended up pouring it down the drain.
All in all, I feel this is great progress, and hope to see my body react to healthier drinks being put in it. Since the migraine has passed (hopefully for good), the energeticness and rejuvenation should start at some point.
Up next, working on the food intake for a healthier, less cranky, me!
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
The Road to Fit
Almost everyone I know tries to get fit in one way or another, and whether it's really needed or not. I have definitely been among those seeking and striving to look and feel better. After having my second child, my body morphed into being an out of control blob that I have finally come to terms with. The terms being that this out of control blob needs to get healthy, fast. And, by healthy, I don't necessarily mean to focus on the pounds lost.
In the last year, I have realized that living healthy is more important than what the scale (or pesky tags on the clothes) read. So, in talking with a friend yesterday, I have come up with a personal reward system towards a fitter, healthier lifestyle. Before I lay out what the plans are, I will say I am doing this to live the longest possible, to actually "live" while I'm alive, and to show my kids anything is possible. And, last but not least, to feel like myself again in clothes, during activities, and any time I look in a mirror.
Knowing me, any plan that is long term will have something to do with either France or Disney. This particular one is Disney based. My family and I have a trip we are in the middle of planning, and it's for us to head to "the World" next spring. I am using that as my catalyst to literally catapult myself towards better choices. Each step in my planning program will be based around my health choices. Every time I make the right choices for a full week in drinking the correct amount of water (and diet soda, as a treat, only on Sunday) and white tea, then I will deposit $5.00 in the Disney fund. Whenever I make the proper food choices for a full week (also taking away Sunday as it is a "cheat" day), and eat what has been prepared at home, I will add $10.00 to the Disney fund. Whenever I work out three times a week (working out is outside of the realm of walking, which I already do. So it is actually an aerobic activity lasting longer than 20 minutes) I will add $5.00 a week.
Another way to get myself moving is to not allow myself to actually book our family trip until I have lost 20 pounds. So, though I know Disney has not opened up next years booking, I know that they usually do mid-summer. Which means that I have 6+ weeks to lose 20 pounds, or else I have to keep my travel agent (whom I have already contacted) waiting until the scale reaches what I contracted with myself. The same will go for ADR's, I will not make them until I have hit 45 pounds lost. That means if day 180 hits, and I have not budged more than the initial 20, I will not be picking up the phone to make those ADR's.
Also, any time that I "slip-up" I will be detracting from my funds for that week. For example, if I break and have a Diet Coke on Monday, I will take away $0.25 from the $5.00 I would be putting into the fund at the end of the week. Hopefully this will keep falling away from my goals to a minimum.
I am very excited to give this a try, as I know I am at the end of where I should be health wise, and that I want to be the best I can be for my family, God, myself, and my community. So let the Disney get fit times begin!
In the last year, I have realized that living healthy is more important than what the scale (or pesky tags on the clothes) read. So, in talking with a friend yesterday, I have come up with a personal reward system towards a fitter, healthier lifestyle. Before I lay out what the plans are, I will say I am doing this to live the longest possible, to actually "live" while I'm alive, and to show my kids anything is possible. And, last but not least, to feel like myself again in clothes, during activities, and any time I look in a mirror.
Knowing me, any plan that is long term will have something to do with either France or Disney. This particular one is Disney based. My family and I have a trip we are in the middle of planning, and it's for us to head to "the World" next spring. I am using that as my catalyst to literally catapult myself towards better choices. Each step in my planning program will be based around my health choices. Every time I make the right choices for a full week in drinking the correct amount of water (and diet soda, as a treat, only on Sunday) and white tea, then I will deposit $5.00 in the Disney fund. Whenever I make the proper food choices for a full week (also taking away Sunday as it is a "cheat" day), and eat what has been prepared at home, I will add $10.00 to the Disney fund. Whenever I work out three times a week (working out is outside of the realm of walking, which I already do. So it is actually an aerobic activity lasting longer than 20 minutes) I will add $5.00 a week.
Another way to get myself moving is to not allow myself to actually book our family trip until I have lost 20 pounds. So, though I know Disney has not opened up next years booking, I know that they usually do mid-summer. Which means that I have 6+ weeks to lose 20 pounds, or else I have to keep my travel agent (whom I have already contacted) waiting until the scale reaches what I contracted with myself. The same will go for ADR's, I will not make them until I have hit 45 pounds lost. That means if day 180 hits, and I have not budged more than the initial 20, I will not be picking up the phone to make those ADR's.
Also, any time that I "slip-up" I will be detracting from my funds for that week. For example, if I break and have a Diet Coke on Monday, I will take away $0.25 from the $5.00 I would be putting into the fund at the end of the week. Hopefully this will keep falling away from my goals to a minimum.
I am very excited to give this a try, as I know I am at the end of where I should be health wise, and that I want to be the best I can be for my family, God, myself, and my community. So let the Disney get fit times begin!
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