I Struggle Too!

I just wanted to let you know that I am not perfect. I really struggle at this, just as many - if not all - of you do. I don't like eating "healthy" or exercising. But starting Monday, I am in this just like you. I will be keeping track of my points (honestly), I will be working out, I will take a picture of myself and put it in my computer, I will be a bug identity as well.

I know I talk about me a lot, but I guess I can since I started this.

When I really got serious about this and got my eating under control, it was like my eyes were opened. Silly it seems, but it was true.

Have you ever seen the show 'Wall-e'? If so, picture all the people on their chairs, busy talking and doing whatever it is they do. Wall-e bumps into a guy and a lady at different times. Their screens in front of them shut off, and they are able to see the world around them, for the first time, really. The woman sees that they have a pool. She never knew that. They choose to not switch their clothes color like everyone else does. Their eyes are opened.

That is how I felt after I got my eating under control. I felt my eyes were open. I was in control of my life. What I put, or didn't put in my mouth was how I looked. I could control that. I could see people driving, being busy, eating fast food on the run. I could see people complaining of the way they looked and how they hated being fat, while chatting and laughing over grease, ice cream, and soda's.

I remember how that feels, and I want that control back.

Life is busy and life is hard. I get that. But we need to make the time to be healthy. On my way to drive my son to school 3 days a week, we are always in a rush and most likely pull into a fast food chain and order lunch to eat as we drive. What a difference it made to take a few extra minutes before we left home to stick some frozen (healthier) chicken nuggets in the microwave, throw them in a bowl, grab a bag of carrots and sugar snap peas from the fridge and head out the door. The kids never complained, and actually ate better than they would've with fast food.

I have taken the whole entire month of December off. The past 2 weeks, I have been eating horribly. Like today, I had 2 liters of Diet Coke, chips and queso from Cafe Rio (darn that place) and 4 ice cream things on a stick. I know that is not a good example to set when I am the one telling you to eat right and exercise. But I don't want to come across to you as someone who is perfect and has this mastered. I don't. I have easily gained 5-8 pounds this month. I can feel it, and I can't stand it.

I will be taking Saturday's and Sunday's (if needed) to prepare food for myself during the week. I teach piano lessons, and often those lessons don't finish until dinner time. It doesn't take long to fix the kids something, and then throw something healthier together for myself. I would encourage you to do the same. Take time out of your crazy life. Prepare some food and healthy snacks for you. Boil some chicken, hard boil some eggs, boil shrimp, get some string cheese & fruit, cook up some veggies and put it all in your fridge, ready to grab on the run.

But know that there are healty alternatives in fast food. Order the grilled chicken at McD's with no mayo. If your friend wants to meet you at Cafe Rio for lunch ... go! You can order yours with a whole wheat tortilla, which are great! Cut your salad, or burrito in half. Stop eating when you are not hungry anymore, not when you are stuffed and sick.

I know you can do this!