The courage to make a change

salad_bar

I don't know if this counts as being a success or not, but for me, it's massive.

I've been in a rut for months. I know that I want to start a workout program, and I will on Monday. Yes, I know, it's the old saying, "I'll start tomorrow". But, I'll make an excuse while I can. I will be receiving a foot treatment tomorrow that hurts like heck and renders me useless for a few days.

So what have I done that's so wonderful and glamorous that negates that glaring excuse I just made? Well, knowing well in advance I would be getting this thing done tomorrow, I've used every single opportunity I found to walk. I parked my car further away, I took the stairs. I made it a point to walk to the grocery store instead of driving. It's not ideal for now, because I am extremely excited to start this program, but hey, it's something. I've also made some major improvements in my eating habits. I have been stressed beyond belief the last few weeks, but I did NOT use that as an excuse to gorge myself with unhealthy foods.

I took a good hard long look at myself and realized I was using alcohol in a different manner than I had been before. I have always enjoyed a nice cold pint in a happy social setting. I loved a glass of wine while cooking. Lately I used it as an excuse to make a miserable day happy. I wasn't getting drunk off my rocker, but I was using those 3 beers as a filler to my poor mood. What that has done to me may be a blessing in disguise, but I really don't enjoy the taste of it much anymore.

On the personal front, my stress/unhappiness/etc has been effecting a lot more than just my waistline. Work is suffering. Relationships are suffering. Attitude is suffering. I realized that it is ME, and only ME who is responsible for this. There's a big difference between responsibility and blame. Sure, someone may have said something nasty to me or did something nasty to me, but it is MY responsibility how I act to it.

At any rate, this post is getting long and winded, so I want to sum it up with one word - change. That's all it takes. Change.

While I'm nowhere near my goal, I can honestly say that my mood has elevated ever so slightly just knowing I'm the one in control.

MrsMizart

What excellent words, driven by an excellent realization and desire for change.

Very well done!

blankiefinder

Good luck in your journey!

Don't forget, alcohol is a depressant, so cutting that out may help in more ways than one!

vanessalillian82

Great change in thinking! Two things have spurred me on lately. One is "You are the only reason you are not where you want to be", and the other one is "What are you waiting for? Get it over with!" I like the first one because in any given situation, we have choices. Sometimes none of the choices are particularly enjoyable, and it can be hard to see a way forwards, but we can still choose how we approach a difficult situation, like you have with your extra walking. And I like the second one, because there is absolutely no good reason not to be making good choices now, and once you've gotten over that first mental hurdle you'll be a lot less anxious about it. Good luck on your journey, and hope the foot thing doesn't slow you down too long