Steps, water, sleep and repeat....
These are healthy goals that each and everyone of us should have. Being active, drinking plenty of water, and getting enough rest.
As a younger woman I went through a phase (in my 30's) where I became obsessed about being in shape. It really had nothing to do with my physical well being but more so with my ego. I truly believe it stemmed from feeling unattractive, undesirable, and a failed marriage.
I needed to gain control and the one thing I could control was my body. I started walking 3-4 times a day, lifting weights, and roller blading every evening for an hour or so after my girls had gone to bed. I gave up all my junk food and willed myself to avoid all the "bad" foods. Getting myself down to a size 2 was the ultimate goal.
During this time I became divorced. I changed up my routine and didn't show this compulsive behavior in front of my girls. The walks, weights, and exercise were done while they were in school, I was at work, or in bed for the night. (300 crunches a night) I fed the girls healthy but also allowed them to have the goodies. They were hopefully unaware that Mom ate different than them. I was not anorexic or bulimic, but I think I understand the compulsion that goes with those disorders.
I maintained this weight/size for almost 10 years but then life happened again, and I am by nature a stress eater. For the last 20 years I have lost and gained the same 25 pounds. I have tried almost every diet and food program out there, worked with a nutritionist and a life coach. (the last time I got down to a size 4)
With age comes wisdom. The wisdom of years of studying and understanding my body and my mind. I don't want to eat differently from my family, nor do I want to starve or limit what my husband can eat. I don't believe in denying myself all week so I can have one meal that doesn't meet this self imposed limiting of myself. (cheat meal) A coach I worked with told me if I wanted chocolate I should eat the chocolate. It needed to be dark chocolate and she recommended the individual squares. She told me to have one and wait – if I wanted anther then have one and wait... Denying myself set me up to binge so this has always worked for me. (at least for chocolate)
So once again I am working on getting these pounds off. I am not being obsessive about it. I am listening to my body and not abusing it as I had in the past. My ego doesn't need to be fed but my ankles can use the break.
Toy