2013, Let's Do This Thing

I don't make resolutions, primarily because most of them fail within a few weeks.  I mean, honestly, how many people have you ever known that actually changed something huge in their life just because they bought a new calendar?

Probably not many.

I don't really buy into the whole idea, anyway.

What is far more important in my life, is waking up every day and making good choices.  Taking care of yourself.  Showing kindness to others.  Working towards goals.

None of that magically just happens because you say it out loud one day.

Last year, I made some pretty huge decisions.

I knew that it was time for me to start taking care of my health.  I knew that it wasn't negotiable anymore.  I knew that I couldn't come up with excuses anymore.  I knew that I needed to be a better example to my children.  I knew that anger was tearing me up inside, destroying my immune system.  I knew that all my psychosomatic conditions were coming back because my defenses were shot.  IBS, TMJ, carpal tunnel.  All back.  I ended up in the hospital with an anxiety attack.

It was time.

So, I did it.

No special diet, no supplements, no new gym membership, no strict exercise plan.  No magic pill, no fat flush cleanse, no expensive diet plan, no fancy meals.

What I did was simpler.  I just changed.  I don't view food as anything but fuel for my body anymore.  I see it as a tool for health, not as an indulgence or want.  I need to eat real food.

I need to move my body.  I need to be strong.  I need to be flexible.  I need to do this.

So I do.

The weight started to fall off.  I've lost over 20 pounds since the summer, over 40 since last year.

My blood pressure is down, I've reduced my medication.  My blood sugar is down.  I am running (when my knee lets me) again, and loving it. I'm doing yoga again.  I'm going for long walks and hikes with my son, breathing in the fresh air, getting the tension out of my system.  Finding my center.

Reconnecting with me.

I recently joined a Facebook group Choose Health started by one of the women that I admire most in the world, Mary Tyler Mom.

Let's not make resolutions this year.  Let's choose health instead.

2013.  Let's do this thing.