Baby Steps | Eating Better & Feeling Better

[dchoneyb916]

Baby Steps | Eating Better and Feeling Better

I need the spring already! I have been waiting for the weather to break since the winter first set in last year. I am not a winter person--even though I was born in September and should have an appreciation for cooler temperatures.

Recently, my band and I have been at odds. I've craved chocolate and other precious comfort foods as a means to get me through these last few weeks of cold weather. My band has spoken to me in her squeaky little voice (by the way her name is Cookie--OH THE IRONY!) And she said, "Spring and Summer are right around the corner--you want to be in the best shape ever don't you?" And I replied, "of course I do. But surely this one little Hershey's Kiss isn't going to derail me!"

Under normal circumstances the Kiss wouldn't have derailed me, but I was 3 weeks into a workout drought and a food frenzy. My schedule had kept me out of the gym in the evenings and my hormones were all out of whack. I craved everything I didn't need, and detested everything my body needed.

So I thought back to some excellent advice my psychologist gave me a few years ago. It was so helpful, it has stuck with me through the years. She said, when life is too difficult to think straight and when you feel too depressed to even get out of bed and take a shower, just take baby steps. Start with the small things--i.e. brush your teeth if you don't have the energy or motivation to take a shower--and celebrate that victory. (Sorry if this shower things sounds a little extreme. But it has been my reality....and a stinky one.)

Last week, I went to the grocery store and rekindled my love affair with fresh fruits and vegetables. I brought snacks like dried soybeans and oranges to work and informed Cookie that I would indulge on these yummy treats when I got my 2:35 pm chocolate craving. I cooked salmon, cabbage and broccoli dinner and enjoyed the leftovers for lunch. I also bought a new water bottle to make drinking my 64 oz of water exciting.

So Friday was a good day. I ate healthful foods and squeezed exercise into my schedule (in the form of dancing in downtown, DC after work). These were my baby steps. I was so excited about my healthful friday--that the entire weekend became a success. So today, as I sit at my desk and the day is coming to a close, I realize I worked right through my 2:34 episode. A work day without snacking? Now that's amazing!.....

So I encourage you to take baby steps and be proud of each little step. A step in the right direction, no matter how small it is a winner each and every time!

Good luck and happy weight loss!
~A DC HONEY BEE