Exercise and Healthy Eating as a Way of Life.

I have been reading a book "Thrive" that writes about the top happiest cities in the world by evaluating factual data from surveys and statistics. Sponsored by National Geographic these places are called "Blue Zones" where people are fundamentally happier than anywhere else in the world. The book tells a story of the cities, introducing us to happy people. You might think that these people are rich, have great jobs, etc, but truth be told each has a life much like our own in many ways.

The author goes on to help outline some ways that we can improve our lives and THRIVE. One key point involved exercise. He suggests we make it a part of our lives rather than a forced necessity. Incorporating it might mean riding a bike to work, or walking to the grocery store. Depending on where we live this might be difficult, but is it possible to find new ways of doing the same routines?

If you have been reading my journey, you will notice that I started in steps. First a nutritionist for four months, then I added one 1/2 hour of exercise, then two 1/2 hours 2 days a week. Now I am swimming with the Masters Swim club one day a week, and just added another day with a 1/2 hour of boxing. I never belived a year ago that I would ever be able to do any of this. In small ways I am THRIVING.

Recently I travelled on a business meeting to a trade show. 12 hour days, junk food, no time to exercise. I came home exhausted, irritable and depressed. Was it any wonder? Never in my life have I been so in tune to my body and what it needs to thrive. Regardless of our size at this moment in time, our body needs us to make better choices. No matter how small, one good choice will lead to another.

Looking back I can tell you I went in dreading the thought of exercise. I craved sugar, chocolate and all things bad for me, and now I find myself wanting to do better because I now know how bad I feel when I make a bad choice. It's not a feeling of guilt, its rather a physical run down feeling. Why would I want to keep feeling that way? My only choice is to make a healthy one.

I consistently make bad decisions. I love food. For me I am learning its an addiction and I need to be more aware of my surroundings and why I make the bad choices. A harsh word from a boss, an embarrassing moment will bring out the worst of my eating habits and those triggers can come and go so quickly before I even know all that I have consumed.

One of my mentors/coaches suggested that when I have a bad day, try not to repeat it the next day. So one bad day, one good day. It may take a little longer but I think eventually I will have more good days and less frequent bad days. In the past, one bad day became a littany of conversations in my head about how fat I was, how lazy, how I would never be able to change. Its a goal I plan to work toward. It also makes it a guilt free process. I know I can get up the next day and start again. But its not "Starting over" its just part of the process. Get it? Got it!

BUILD YOUR SUPPORT NETWORK!

For four months I have been exercising, getting on the scale occassionally to see that I have not lost a pound. My trainer continues to tell me its not the weight to worry about right now, its the movement. The goal was to get moving. And I did. I feel lighter at times, but convince myself its all in my head. I realized I was not really following the recommendations of my nutritionist and it was time to get back on track. I also realized that I needed to find a mentor, a coach of some sort that could keep me motivated, offer advise, push me a little or alot as I went through this process. So I asked a member of the company I work for. She is an IRON MAN competitor, and was recently featured in an article in Canada about successful women entrepreneurs. I have always admired her, and new if she was willing that her support would be a well needed addition to my core support group. So I asked her. And she said yes. She lives in Canada, I live in the US, but we talk via email and will track the successes of our goals at conventions we both attend each year.

My first trip will be at the end of January where we both travel to Hawaii. What we do is simple. We email each other each day, our food and exercise diary. She helps me see areas that I need to change some habits. I haven't offered her much at this time, as she has it down pretty solid, but over the first three days what I have learned from her as been HUGE!

Truth is, I had not truly bought into the process. I am exercising, but I have been down right ignoring the eating. I didn't want to change the old ways. Looking at her meals for the day, I realized that while I am living to eat, she is eating to live. Her choices are better, healthier. She doesn't seem to be waiting for the next meal to come. And yet, she has a discipline, a routine in place where she knows what she is eating each and every day. Its imperative for her to have control over what she puts in her mouth. Its important because she has goals outside of food, yet affected by food. She wants to compete and win in IRON MAN. To do that she has to pay attention to her diet.

I want to lose weight, I have to begin to pay attention, I have to incorporate discipline into my eating schedule if I truly want to SUCCEED. As she put it to me yesterday: "Here is my non motivational quote: JUST DO IT!" There are many people in your life that you can look to for motivation, guidance and support. If you are looking for someone, pray about it. Ask God to bring the right people into your life. HE WILL and you will get the support you need to succeed.