Late Night Thoughts

Over the past year and a half I have learned and adopted healthier lifestyle habits that, I feel, are better to stick with than dieting or short-term fixes. Diets and other "tricks" to losing weight or becoming healthier are not okay, period. I am not an expert, but I stand by the fact that in order to be successful you have to lead a healthy LIFEstyle, not a week to week or month to month diet. The minute you stop the fad eating the minute the weight or unhealthy side effects will return.

Now, wait a minute. As I read my own words over again, they made me do a "hmm." The statement that 'week to week' diets do not work seems to have more meaning behind it. Just as a healthy realtionship with food and physical activity is a constant walk so is any relationship, especially one with Jesus Christ. We can see the hard work put into a fruitful relationship, whether it be friends, family, or spouses- each of these require nuturing and attention. This is not to say that these things are always done promptly, but that is why relationships are hard work- but are they not worth it? I'd say yes.

My Mom and Dad :)

I have gone up and down in my search for a healthy lifestyle; mentally, physcially, and emotionally. And, let me share, that to this day I still have many up's and down's, sometimes within an hour. I have lost weight, gained weight, lost weight, cried, felt on top of the world, ran fast, ran slow and had to walk, eaten ice cream when I should not have, not eaten enough. See, it's not uncommon, of course, to have personal high's and low's, but what I tell myself is that it is worth it. There was a long time when I did not believe this, but I thank the Lord he placed some of the most wonderful people in my life to help me. Life is not supposed to be easy. If it was so easy then how much would we really learn or experience? But, God also brings immense joy for us to grasp at any moment- and this is worth the hard work.

Trust me, it is not a flat surface to healthful living, but when you get a taste of it, don't you want more? When I began feeling like myself again, even just a smidge, I knew I wanted more. When I learned eating habits that made my body react in a positive way, I wanted more. When I discovered that I could do more than just go to the gym, I wanted to run further. Every person has outlets, use them, this is growth.




My girls before the wedding :)

Each week is a new week, each day a beginning. Stop beating yourself or anyone else up for wrongdoings, and take those first few steps towards a direction that may have been looming in the distance- or even right around the corner. Atkins, South Beach, 1200 calories a day, sorry, but these are not going to cut it, atleast for myself. I need habits that are going to improve over time, not stay stagnant. I need lifestyle changes that I can feel bettering my inside and outside- ones that I can be proud of. Now, as a disclaimer, I am not all that spiffy. I eat cereal (a lot of it) every day, sometimes I skip workouts when I have them scheduled on our calendar (our calender is not forgiving), and I don't read my Bible everyday. Comdemn me if you feel inclined, or encourage those around you to be accountable of goals you know they hold dear- this is much more helpful.

We are blessings, but that does not mean blessings can't get sweaty every once and a while :)



xoxo

My very handsome husband :)



(A little PS: a couple wonderful girls that are not pictured are Alyssa, Ruthie, and Rebekah- they ALL have been wonderful friends and influences in my life also...just do not have any photos on this computer of them yet- I am procrastination at its best, I know)