I spent a total of 45 hours in the car in the past 6 days. We made a road trip to Mesa, Arizona (our 4th in the past few months) and by now I know to take LOTS of reading material! Usually I pack art books and magazines but this trip I was inspired to pack just these...
Remember I am on this 70 Day journey...? And so far I have done a whole lot of nothing. Well, maybe lots of thinking and planning but nothing has really stuck. I am still finding myself stuck in old, bad habits and feeling yucky. While I was deciding which art magazines to bring I came across Fit to Live and Finding It. Two books I have intended to read...but had been putting off.
Well, let me tell you...I know now why I haven't read them before...I wasn't ready...or maybe it's because I am NOW ready! Whatever it is/was...these two books are now my bibles and I plan on re-reading them as often as needed!!
I read Fit to Live on the way to Mesa and just kept nodding my head up and down...this book is all about Toxic Belly Fat caused by STRESS!!!! THAT IS SO ME!!! EVERYTHING the author Pamela Peeke was sharing was ME to a TEE!! WOW!
Then Valerie Bertinelli's book Finding It was such a fun and fast read. I found myself relating to her and her weight issues page after page. She reminded me that with taking control of your life...whether it's weight or something else...doors begin to open and you begin LIVING once again. THAT IS WHAT I WANT...to begin LIVING my life!!
So today I am back at Day One. And that's ok. I feel like I have my head AND my heart working together now and the tools I need to stay on track.
Here's to a VERY GOOD week and a VERY GOOD report this Monday!!
Sending you hugs and encouraging thoughts your way sweetie! You CAN do it. Give it a good faith effort and don't STRESS about it!
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I have smoked forever and a few weeks ago he announced to me that not only was HE going to quit smoking but I was as well. I wasn't ready. And while I nodded and said "yeah sure" in my mind I was mumbling mutiny. He got himself and then me all set up with a Vape pen (nicotine but no more yucky cigarettes so I don't go killing people without my nicotine! Eventually I will step the nicotine level down to where I no longer need it). I gave it a good faith effort with the ability to cheat or back out at any point. Four days went by and I had only smoked 3 cigarettes (I was a 2 pack a day smoker). Then I went one day with none. The next day I really craved it. Desperately. So I let myself have one. And you know what? That was the last one! I still have that last pack in my desk next to a lighter. And I know that if I really get itchy about wanting one then it is there and I can light up at any time. I'm not forbidding myself and I'm not being hateful and harsh and all NO! and I CAN'T! and I'M NOT ALLOWED! And because I'm taking it easy I'm not stressing. And I've been 17 days without. I never ever thought I would be a non-smoker. Never thought I would actually quit. Never wanted to! But I'm ok. I'm doing great. And it was surprisingly easy.
I have found that the key to anything is to allow yourself to cheat (except in marriage! lol) when it gets to be too much. Allow yourself to have good days and bad days. Eventually you will look up and realize how much time has passed and how well you're doing!
You know when you're trying to be creative and you try and try and try and you're trying to force it, to make it happen, and it just ends up being a huge mess. You're frustrated, you're angry, and you're disappointed? Making a lifestyle change is just like trying to make art. The more you force it, the more you fail. Don't force it. Let it come one little step at a time. And before you know it you will have incorporated those changes into your life without the fuss, mess, and struggle that usually comes.
Take it easy my friend. You are beautiful and wonderful!
You are too hard on yourself. Every day is a new day and you can only do what you can do. You will succeed! All the best.
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