We live in a culture of enjoying life with family and friends, and for people in the south it all revolves around food. The food tastes great, but it is very rich in fat and sugar. My life has followed this same path. Since my adult life began at the age of 18 I have experienced life by gaining unwanted weight. This came from the combination of enjoying life and stress.
Stress comes from stressors in our life that can be good or bad. Our body then responds to the stress. Each response is different and for me when I am stressed I eat. This has caused me to gain the weight I now want to shed. I want to remember all of these life experiences, but I have learned it is important to exercise and eat healthy.
I have had time to reflect on the choices I have made. We cannot live in the past and dwell on what we could, should, or would have done differently. This is not a “New Year’s Resolution,” but a “Lifestyle Journey.” This is my Journey of Redefintion!
How are you redefining your health? What are you willing to do to accomplish the lifestyle goals in your life? What baby steps are you willing to take to get to the destination you envision for your life?
Welp, … where do I begin? Let’s start with the oh-so-true cliché: it all starts in the mind.
This has been a journey I’ve been on for quite some time. Like many people, I start off strong. I’m motivated. I’m focused. Then boredom creeps in, laziness rears its ugly head, and suddenly I surrender to the comfort of being tired. But I’ve realized something important: nothing comes from wishing and hoping. If I want change, I have to take ACTION.
And if I’m honest, action is where I struggle. There are always plenty of excuses available—any given time, any given day—to justify why I can wait until tomorrow.
Then I have to ask myself: how did I let myself get to this point?
By doing absolutely nothing… while somehow expecting a miraculous event to occur and BAM—I’m fine as a bottle of wine. (LOL.) But the old saying is true: nothing from nothing leaves nothing.
So without further ado, it’s time to develop a game plan—and commit. A plan that works specifically for me. That’s right—ME. It already feels good to put myself first, even if it’s just in thought for now. Action is coming.
Part of getting your mind right requires daily deposits. Nowadays, we call these affirmations. Yes, it’s important to tell yourself that you can and will accomplish your goals. Before someone else can encourage you, you must encourage yourself. Be your own coach. Be your own cheerleader. Find the app, the Pinterest board, the social media page—whatever reminds you throughout the day to lean into positivity. Because let’s be real, there is plenty of negativity all around us.
Next: know your limitations.
I am not a fitness guru. I am not a healthcare provider. But I do listen to my body, and I know my likes and dislikes. One major dislike? Exercise. However, I also know I cannot lose weight without it. So if I’m going to do it, I need to get the most bang for my buck and maximize my effort in the time I commit.
Understanding my WHY helps.
My “why” used to be about being fine and sexy. I’m so glad I’ve matured. Now, I want energy. I want to feel good. I want to look good in my clothes. Right now, my muffin top runneth over. I may never have a six-pack—and that’s okay—but I can lose the extra weight that’s keeping me from being my best.
So here’s the plan:
I will incorporate cardio three to four times per week for 30 minutes. I like flexibility, so I’m not assigning specific days, but my week starts on Sunday. In addition, I’ll alternate upper body, lower body, and core workouts three to four days per week for 15–30 minutes per session. I’ll follow this schedule for three to four weeks.
Baby steps.
Now… here comes the tricky part: eating.
Because I’m in tune with myself, I know my biggest hurdle is emotional eating. Stress from work. Family responsibilities. My own internal battles. Somehow, food has always been the comfort. And yes, while BMI charts aren’t perfect, I know my energy levels are telling me it’s time to get my life together.
The ultimate goal isn’t just weight loss—it’s feeling better. It’s confidence when I look in the mirror. Will there be setbacks? Probably. But will I allow those setbacks to send me all the way back to the starting gate?
Absolutely not.
This season has given me time to observe my life. I’ve observed long enough. Now it’s time for action. And action works best with a plan.
Too often we fall into the never ending abyss of helping others and putting ourselves last. As a result, we are often too tired to do anything that will improve our health and well being. Often times taking care of my family, work, maintaining a house, and being an entrepreneur – all of my time to read novels and exercise are cut short.
When trying to lose weight and to be successful, we must make small goals. Yes, I would like to wave a magic wand and be able to run/jog 2-3 miles a day, but that is not the case… right now. Yes, I am starting out by walking. This is a small step but it has huge results. This goal has me waking up at 5 am getting on my treadmill and walk 1-2 miles.
This is one of my S.M.A.R.T. goals. My next goal is to increase my water intake. This is something that I struggle with because my taste buds have become accustomed to having flavor throughout the day and especially with meals. My goal this week is to drink a minimum of 48 ounces. I know it is not the daily recommended intake, but it is a start and it is more than what I am consuming now.
Remember to take the time to do something for yourself daily.
Let’s redefine ourselves the S.M.A.R.T. way!
Let me know what your S.M.A.R.T. goals are. I like to break things up in phases. I am on the journey of improving my lifestyle for me! Let’s do this!
redefiningmylifestyle.com 