Fork In The Road

There comes a time in every journey, when you come to a fork in the road. In the middle of the fork is a big sign that says "Both paths will lead you to your destination". One path has a gentle downward slope, smooth soft ground, and looks very relaxing and easy. The second path has an upward slope, and a rocky path, it looks like a lot of hard work. My first inclination would be to take the easy road, after all, it's about working smarter not harder, right? But here's what you can't see from that spot in the road. The easy path gently curves off to the side, and continues in a long subtle curve, until eventually you find yourself right back on the same path, but set back quite a way. It fools you into a false sense of accomplishment, thinking you are getting somewhere. On the other hand, that other path is a lot of hard work and determination, but after getting through all those obstacles, you reach your goal. 


I had one of those forks last night. I didn't even realize the significance until after I had decided on my path. For the last couple weeks I have been craving a Whatchamacalit, my FAVORITE candy bar. They are very hard to find here. I was getting gas, and went inside the little shop. Something drew me to the candy aisle. There sitting on the bottom rack off to the side, was a box of Whatchamacalits. I grabbed one so fast it would have made a magician look twice. I stood for a moment staring at that candy bar. The crispy insides, the gooey caramel, the chocolate coating, that sweet deliciousness. I could taste it already. Suddenly, something in my mind whispered to me "Are you sure you want that? Or do you need that?" Where'd that voice come from? I don't remember that one. That was my healthy voice. The one I've ignored for so long, I didn't recognize her when she spoke to me. I waited a moment, hoping she'd speak to me again, help me to make the right decision. "Is the candy craving controlling you, or are you making a conscious decision to enjoy a treat?" Oh, that's what she meant. I wasn't grabbing a snack that I knew I had counteracted with exercise and healthy foods. I was feeding a craving that was winning over all the hard work I was doing. I was headed down that easy path. So, what was it going to be? For about 30 seconds (which felt like hours) I held that bar in my hand, and looked at it. Then I took a step that is one of those pivotal moments in a journey like this, and one that I think I'll be remembering for a long time. I set that candy bar back on the shelf! I got my gas, and drove home. 


Now, all this happened without me realizing that it was as significant of a moment as it was. It wasn't until I was driving home that the full weight of my decision hit me. I just did something I've never done before. I turned down a Whatchamacalit. Today as I write this, the craving has dissapated, and I'm overjoyed with my decision to stay on that rocky uphill path. I feel very good about myself and my journey. It's the little steps in the right direction that will eventually get us where we are going. 


Healthy and Happy Living

Did you miss me?

I know, I've been doing a rotten job of keeping touch this month. I went a little blog crazy, and burned myself out. But now I've cleared the cobwebs. So, did you miss me? Well, here's what I've been up to.


I officially reached my first mini-goal of 20 lbs lost!! I'm so excited. I've also noticed some changes. There is the saggyness in my once tight clothes. The reduction in pain in my knees. The fact that people keep asking me if I've lost weight (isn't that a great feeling?) And today, I was standing at my desk, waiting for our IT gal to install a new program, and I had my hand on my waist. As I was standing there, I realized suddenly that my waist felt smaller. There was just less of it there to grab on to. Now, seeing myself every day, I haven't really noticed a change in the way I look, but my body feels smaller. Love it. 


Now, here's the biggie. I haven't mentioned it before, but a few years ago I was told that my weight had caused a hormonal imbalance (too much Estrogen), and it was suggested I go on the Pill to correct it. Well, I don't do pills unless absolutely necessary (I hate pharmaceuticals and all their nasty side effects), so I told the doctor "No". What I didn't say to her way, why treat a symptom, and not the underlying problem? Well, a couple weeks ago, I was delighted to find that the weight I have lost so far was enough to bring my imbalance back in line. It just goes to show you, that living a healthier lifestyle can most definitely make an internal difference, in addition to the external. 


But wait, there's more! Yep, I've been gone a while, so I've got more to catch up on. This past weekend, I participated in the American Heart Association's "Start! Heart Walk". It was a 5k walk, and I accomplished it in my best time for a 5k. Not a fabulous time mind you, it took me an hour, but that beats my last time for sure. I noticed during & after the walk that my calves didn't hurt at all. When I started back up walking, I would get cramps and stabbing pains in the side of my calves. The doctor said I was doing too much too soon and I had to back off and slow down. Well, I'm officially over that hurdle. 


One more change in me that makes me eager to see what I can accomplish next! 

Healthy and Happy Living

Celebrating Success

I’m officially down another pound, making a total of 16 pounds lost. That puts me under 260 for the first time in 4 or 5 years. And that’s a number I never plan to see again. Now that we have that out of the way, on to something even more exciting. I’ve learned that you have to celebrate the non-scale successes, and now I find them even more worth celebration then a simple little number. So here’s my big non-scale success.

Today I realized that I have lost a full dress size. “How did she come to this realization?” You may ask yourself. Well here’s how. You know that point when you are slowly gaining weight, and you aren’t willing to accept that you have to go up a number in your jeans? Well, when I was at that point, I bought 3 pairs of jeans at my old size, determined that I was going to shrink right back into them, that was 4 or 5 years ago. So here I have this practically new pair of black jeans, you know the type, those jeans that you want so badly to fit that you pull them on even when you know they don’t. You stare depressingly at the gap between button and button hole, then the desperation and determination sets in. So you grab hold, lay on the bed on your back, suck in your gut and force that button to close. Slowly raising the zipper, praying it won’t burst. When they are finally on, you stand up, with your arms just above the waistline, holding your shirt, and that pesky bit of extra belly that wants to flop over the top. You admire their tight fit in the mirror for about 30 seconds when you realize that you can’t breath and there is no way you are sitting down in them, so you sigh and peel them off. You know, THOSE jeans. (Or is that just me?)

Well, Today I grabbed them out of my closet, glad they hadn’t collected a layer of dust. Slipped them on, buttoned and zipped them without struggling!! And I’ve been wearing them all day, sitting with no problem. It didn’t dawn on me until someone at work had mentioned that it looked like I lost weight. I stopped in from of the full length mirror in the bathroom, took a good long look at myself, and realized she was right. I may still have some work to do, but I have accomplished quite a bit so far. I felt my spirits lift, and have had a smile plastered to my face ever since. Sometimes the little things mean so much.

So remember that you are wonderful, you are worth the time and effort it takes to be healthy and happy, and you are one of the important people in your life.


Healthy and Happy Living