Make Healthy A Habit – Three Months Later

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It’s been three months since I decided to change things and make healthy a habit.

I wish I could write about how great it’s all been and how healthy has become so much a habit for me that I don’t have to focus on it…. but I’m not going to lie. It hasn’t been easy. And focus is exactly what keeps me going with it.

Allow me to explain…

My goal for making these changes to begin with is so I can live a healthier life and make the best decisions I can for my mind and body. Sounds smart, right?

But has it been easy? No. Not in the slightest.

I’ve had days where I threw caution out the window and reverted to the unhealthy habits I’m trying to get rid of. More than I care to admit actually. Things like deciding to go for the easy drive-thru meal rather than making a healthier one. Or opting for a third glass of wine, for the second day in a row.

No one is perfect and I’m fully aware of that. I’m far from it and I have no plans to live in a bubble. There are times for celebration and a little debauchery (granted it hurts no one other than yourself) but those should be the rarity, not the norm.

So, yes, I’ve had some struggles with reverting back to bad habits as time goes on and life kicks back in and the plans I made for the New Year just aren’t as shiny as they once were, now that the practicality of them has settled in while the romance has vanished.

But, and this is a big BUT, things have changed.

When I was pondering why I still made choices that are unhealthy for me, I realized something – they’re happening much less then before I made healthy a habit.

I’m much more conscious of living healthier now and even though my bad habits try to rope me back in, I’m able to resist them more by reminding myself of why I don’t want to make those choices any longer.

And the more I resist them, the easier it gets.

Here’s what I’ve found:

Three weeks may not make a habit, but it does change your focus.

And isn’t that the beginning for any real change? After all, how can you change something within if your focus on it hasn’t changed?

So while I may still have bad days, they are fewer then before. And changing my focus to be healthier these past three months has absolutely led to many wonderful things – regular weekly yoga, less processed food, healthier snacking and much more.

Personally, I think the key to changing one’s habits is being conscious about the ones you want to break and the new ones you want to make and then taking action, over and over again, to do so.

And know, it is not easy.  But then, what of value is?

Make healthy a habit. #makehealthyahabit

 

 

This Is Marriage.

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I’ve been having this reoccurring dream. Nightmare actually.

The dream is me finding out my husband is not going to marry me. Well, in the dream we are still dating and I learn he’s changed his mind and I am utterly and totally devastated. I wake up with a feeling that I never want to experience in real life. It’s scary.

I’ve been married six months now and it’s by far the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I thank the universe that I found the love of my life. Sure, it took me thirty-five years but then, there’s no age limit to finding love. Yeah, I guess there are consequences (perhaps no children, maybe lots of loneliness) but once The One is found, the wait proves to be well worth it. But I digress…

In that six months, I’ve had this dream about three or four times.

I should confess that I don’t handle lack of control well. And opening up myself to someone else, trusting them, loving them, is very scary. Maybe not for you, but it is for me.

I had this dream a few nights ago. And I woke up from it feeling that devastation yet again.

But as I came out of this hurtful slumber, I heard a voice say, “Morning baby.”

So I opened my eyes and said, “I just had the worst dream ever. I dreamt you didn’t want to marry me.”

My husband then turned to me and replied, “That’s funny because I was actually lying here, wanting to hug you so bad but worried I was going to wake you.”

And a smile spread across my face.

That is marriage.

Making your partner feel stronger just by being you.

#holdoutfortheone

 

 

11 Things I believed at 28 that I no longer believe at 38

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2006. Apple stores had only been around for five years. You Tube was relatively new and smart phones had yet to come out… And I was 28 years old.

It’s always fascinating for me to reflect on the past and see how I’ve evolved and changed over the years.

A few nights ago, I was thinking about how much I used to hate having a regular schedule. Sure, I would work my regular three shifts at a local restaurant, but everything else was constantly in flux and I loved it. Now though, I’m feeling a little different. I’m finding I like having a regular set schedule to work on writing, filming and reading rather than the constantly changing day-to-day life I once thrived on.

Well, I started thinking about other things I had believed a decade ago that I no longer do and decided to write a blog post on them. So without further ado…

11 Things I believed at 28 that I no longer believe at 38

1. Politics are boring.

2. Healthy food is “low fat” products and vegetables.

3. Success is defined by my job.

4. I will always be thin without effort.

5. “Garden State” is a great film.

6. Myspace is cool.

7. Fifty is old.

8. Television sucks. (FYI – it was still the heyday of reality television.)

9. Music is best blasting loudly.

10. I’ll miss smoking cigarettes forever.

11. I don’t need anyone.

 

I’d love to hear how others have changed… please feel free to share!

Make Healthy A Habit – Three Weeks Later

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Here it is. Three weeks after my three-week long project of trying to make healthy a habit.

I thought I’d answer the same exact questions from before…

Have I changed any habits?

Yes, I still maintain the changes I wanted to make. Not perfectly though, I will admit. I’ve gone through a fast food drive-thru twice in the past three weeks and I’m not proud. It was out of convenience. (And just for the record, In ‘n Out and El Pollo Loco doesn’t count as fast food to me. They’re more like once-in-a-while fun.) I have wine maybe two to three times a week and mostly two glasses or less. Big difference for me and I love that this has stuck. My diet has stayed way healthier with dehydrated fruit and kale chips leading the way in snacks as opposed to the kettle chips and candy days of 2015. I still have some other faults I’m trying to kick but those are more inward. I can say this though – a healthy life makes a healthy mind.

Is it getting easier every day to do so?

To some degree yes, but there are still challenging days. I miss things, like frozen soft pretzels and cereal bars, but learning about the unhealthy things inside them helps keep me stay strong.

Do I feel better?

Definitely. All over. Inside and out.

Does it take three weeks to make a habit?

It seems that three weeks is a pretty solid number to start with but effort is needed far beyond that, at least in my opinion.

Will I continue?

100%. And by my mind focusing on it so much right now, it seems that everyday I learn a new way to be more healthy and happy. The universe speaks, if you’re listening….

What does being healthy mean?

To me, it means treating my body the best that I can while being proactive by doing my own research about what is good or bad for me.

Thanks again, to all of you who have come along for the ride and showed support through likes, comments and shares. And for talking to me about it!

Stay tuned… I’ll keep you updated :)

Make healthy a habit. #makehealthyahabit

Make Healthy A Habit – One Week After

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It’s been a week since I ended my three-week long project of making healthy a habit, and I thought about how it would be best to write this blog post. I decided to go with stream of consciousness…

it’s been a week. i almost bought cheese puffs today at the drugstore. I haven’t had a snack like that in four weeks and counting… I resisted and went with cashews. the decisions are getting easier, but the temptations are everywhere. must they put candy in front of you at all times? no wonder kids these days live off of instant gratification and have two-second attention spans. treats are in front of them everywhere. i digress. i’m back to doing yoga. weekly. and with my husband now. if possible, i love him more. i recommend couples do this. wine has gone back to being a treat. i have it about twice a week. that’s better. sparkling water is great with dinner. i’m snacking on a banana as i write this. my habits have changed. it’s been four weeks now. i just had pizza for the first time. i’ll never quit that. just won’t have it too often. i feel good.

#makehealthyahabit

Make Healthy A Habit – Day Twenty-One

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Here it is. The end of my three-week Make Healthy a Habit project. And I am so happy that I’ve done this…

Have I changed any habits?

Yes.

Is it getting easier every day to do so?

Absolutely.

Do I feel better?

I feel great (and I’ve lost five pounds!)

Does it take three weeks to make a habit?

I don’t know. BUT here’s what I do know – it’s three weeks later and my desire for wine has greatly subsided, to the point I no longer think about it the same way I had before. And buying junk food has stopped being a part of my routine. I’m serious. Week one I had to focus on it regularly. Week two was a struggle. Week three felt way easier.

Will I continue?

Absolutely. I haven’t conquered all the bad habits I need to break yet…

What does being healthy mean?

I think it means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. To me, to be healthy means I’m making the best decisions for my mind and body and taking steps to prevent future illness while appreciating the moment I live in.

Thank you all who have joined me and showed support through likes, comments and shares.

Stay tuned… I’ll keep you updated :)

Make healthy a habit. #makehealthyahabit

 

**For the original idea, please visit here.

Make Healthy A Habit – Day Twenty

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The Universe speaks to us.

And if we pay attention and listen, we can hear it.

The past two days, I’ve been sick. And I mean sick. I had a fever that spiked at nearly 103! And I’ve never had so many chills and sweats.  At one point, in the early morning, I could not get out of bed. Literally.

This morning, however, I woke feeling much better. Though I’m not 100%, I’m close to it and just need to get some color back in my face.

When I was at work tonight trying to summon up the energy to be on my feet, I thought about how being sick has really made me appreciate what it means to be healthy.

It’s kinda crazy not to take care of our body, when you think about it. Who doesn’t want to feel good physically?

We hold so much power to achieve that. And yes, there are unfortunate situations where our health is not within our reach, but if it is, shouldn’t it be the goal?

Okay, Universe, I get you. Being sick made me value being healthy so much more.

Point well taken.

And thank you.

Make healthy a habit. #makehealthyahabit

 

**For the original idea, please visit here.

Make Healthy A Habit – Day Nineteen

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I apologize in advance but this post is going to be brief.

I currently have a fever of 102.7. My body hasn’t felt this bad in…. dang, it’s been so long, I can’t even remember when.

Fortunately, I have a supportive work team who has me covered while I lie in bed wishing my body would stop shivering. It’s still a work day in my building so I must cope with the noise but it’s at least allowed me a chance to grab my laptop and do a quick post.

I’m a bit delirious, I think, so I better not write to long.

When I come out of the haze, hopefully sooner than later, I’ll have something much more insightful to share :) Please bare with me…

And in the meantime, I’ll stay filled with fluids and well rested.

Make healthy a habit. #makehealthyahabit

 

**For the original idea, please visit here.

Make Healthy A Habit – Day Eighteen

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Today, I have been under the weather. It was odd but late last night, I woke up with a fever and chills and have felt horrible since.

Being sick is part of life. Fortunately, I can go years without getting ill but this year, I haven’t been so lucky.

So I must deal with it.

It’s very tempting to keep going while sick but I’ve learned from past experience that is exactly what I shouldn’t do (unless I absolutely have too.) Today, I was able to take off so I did and I listened to what my body needed…

Rest. Fluids. Protein.

And then, I received something I did’t even know I needed but so did. It’s made this whole experience so much better.

Love.

My husband not only went to the store for OJ and medicine but he’s been my nurse all day, checking in on me and showing me love while I shiver under the covers before sweating it out.

My eyes are closing now, so I must go. Tomorrow I hope to be back to 100% percent. But even if I’m not, I know I have to listen to my body to heal it.

Make healthy a habit. #makehealthyahabit

 

**For the original idea, please visit here.

 

Make Healthy A Habit – Day Seventeen

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As I was lying in bed this morning, a thought occurred to me about something my husband and I had talked about in the past.

Getting rid of technology in the bedroom.

The world we live in is fast-paced and practically run by technology.

Smartphones are everywhere and people are now attaching them to their wrists.

Tablets and laptops are third arms for a large part of this population.

And all the noise of technology is very difficult to shut off if you live in a major city. Hell, probably even in small cities.

So, where is our sanctuary? Our technology-free zone? Our place to cut ourselves off from the grid and be mindful in the present moment?

Sure, one could argue that’s what yoga studios and churches are good at but my husband and I came to the realization that we want a place like that in our home.

In an effort to get better sleep, be more mindful and present with each other and in the moment, we are no longer allowing phones, laptops or tablets in our bedroom. This is our place to disconnect, log out, sign off.

Because really, is it healthy to always be online?

Make healthy a habit. #makehealthyahabit

 

**For the original idea, please visit here.