The New Normal

I missed last week’s blog. I kept meaning to write, and then something else would come up. Not much is has happened. I’m dealing with all the normal weight loss struggles, not wanting to exercise, and wanting to eat crappy foods. This is going to be a long and hard battle for me. 

The best thing that happened to me last week was I had three different people tell me it looked like I had lost some weight. And it wasn’t like they are all in the same room agreeing with one another, it was three different situations. That was great to hear, because I can’t tell at all. The words from those friends and family are what keep me motivated to continue and to not give up. 

The hardest thing for me: going to the boot camp workout alone. It seems as if everyone that is in the class either come with at least one friend, or have been going for so long they have made friends there. It’s very hard for me to walk pull into the parking lot, walk up the stairs and into the studio, knowing I know no one. I am able to have some of the awkward small talk with some of them, but that usually last for under a minute, and then they are back talking to those people who are more familiar to them. I am actually looking forward for this month to be over so that I don’t have to go to the dreaded workouts. 

The good thing about the class is it works. If you call ‘not being able to move your muscles in a normal way for three days’ working. We usually focus on either lower body or upper body, not both in a single class. The last time we focused on lower body, I felt like an 85 year old woman from my hips to my knees. I grunted and grumbled and squinted my face up as I walked up and down the stairs to my apartment. I found every possible way to avoid any stairs in sight. Trying to bend my legs as little as possible, as I walked around the apartment and in some public places, I’m sure I looked anything but normal.

The day we worked on upper body, I knew from the beginning it would not be good, as I have very little upper body strength. After struggling through the class, I began my 30 minute drive back home. As I pulled into a parking spot and removed my hands off the steering wheel to turn the car off and grab my purse; so I could head up the stairs with my already sore legs, that’s when I knew it was going to be a long 3 days. It took more effort than ever before to lift my purse on my shoulder. I would have been convinced if you told me it weighed 50 pounds.

I have now come to terms with this new normal of soreness. I’ve gotten a little more used to it, and now do not complain about it every 5 seconds when I try to reach for something, or bend over to tie my shoe, or stand up from the couch, you know, all that everyday life stuff.

First time, but not the last.

As I am trying to have this healthier life, part of it is eating healthier. If I say I'm on a diet, I freak out a little, so "eating healthier" is what I'm going for. This includes foods like lots of colorful veggies and fruits, yogurt for snacks, less carbs, and so on. What it also includes is not eating yummy, cheesy pizza with crunchy on the outside soft on the inside crust. That's what I was faced with earlier this week. 

 I am a nanny for a little girl and currently, her grandfather is living at the house, and he is in the house sometimes while I am there. This particular day he was home for lunch. He was sitting at the table checking his email as the delicious looking pizza was cooking in the oven and it's aroma was filling the entire house. After a while, the pizza, the WHOLE pizza, was sitting in front of him on a plate, ready to devour. Of course I had to walk through the kitchen, and past the pizza, to throw a diaper in the pin, and then walk back by again. As I ate my asparagus and small piece of chicken, he ate every morsel that was on that plate of his. This is my first run in with temptation, and I know it is only the beginning.

Starting Over, Again

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

This is going to be an important verse for me for this next stage of my life. It is one I will have to look at daily, maybe several times a day. I am now trying to be more healthy, and to lose weight, the old fashion way. Exercise and eating healthy. It couldn't be more simple nor more difficult. This is going to be a weekly, daily and hourly struggle for me. To eat the things I should and to not eat the things I shouldn't. To wake up early 3 days a week for my work out class and to have the courage to walk in knowing I'm probably the one that's the most out of shape. To continue living healthy after the month-long class is over and to not get discouraged and give up when I don't see the results I feel I need.

I'm writing this blog for several reasons.  

1. To record my thoughts so I can look back at them and see my progress (and the setbacks)

2. To share the real struggles of beginning a healthy living - the emotional and physical struggles

3. To have some form of accountability - even if no one ever reads this, there is still a chance that someone could and that is enough for me to think twice

4. To have a light-hearted blog about the process - sometimes we just need to laugh at our struggles. Life can get too serious if we're not careful

I plan to write at least once a week to share what I’ve learned, how I’ve grown, and the funny and … interesting things that happen while trying to start a new life.