New Year... New You (or me)

So, here it is, the beginning of another year and I feel like I am never going to get out of this rut. Ugh. I mean, we have gone out as a family on several occasions, but I just can't seem to find motivation to work on my own health. It frustrates me as I know I need to make my health a priority, yet I just don't seem to take the steps I need to. Exercise is part of the equation, but so is eating. I have been failing miserably on both accounts. That needs to change. 

So tonight I set out to start again. I put on my finisher shirt from Ironman Canada. After all, if I can do an ironman, certainly I can handle thirty minutes on the treadmill, right?

And on went the shoes. I probably need new shoes, as these ones are getting old, yet they haven't actually gone too far due to that lack of motivation, so for now, thy will have to do. 

And then I went downstairs and got on the treadmill. It wasn't fast, and it wasn't far, but it was thirty minutes. For today, I'll take it. It's a start. It's better than sitting there doing nothing. 

There you have it. I'll focus on this for a bit and then get to the eating habits. They too need to improve. 

Today's weight: 194.9lbs 

Today's distance: 3.34km

Small improvements

So since yesterday, I managed to do okay. There were donuts at work. I didn't have any. Someone even walked around with the box making it too easy to say yes. Now I couldn't turn down the white chocolate craisin popcorn, but only had a bit. Water intake was good. And, I went walking on my lunch break. I would call all these successes and I am happy about them. Also made some vanilla bean yogurt which I am about to enjoy with some fresh fruit and a handful of almonds.

And, I'm checking in. So there is hope! At least I hope so!!

Change is in the Air...

To say the last couple weeks have been stressful would be a bit of an understatement. Truly, I have felt quite overwhelmed lately but mostly due to circumstances completely out of my control. It has been a bit of a wake up call however and it has me feeling much more committed to becoming healthier and taking better care of myself. Without going into much detail, I will say that I have seen people in my family go through some tough stuff. Namely, cancer returning and killing a loved one. Another loved one suffering a broken leg and needing surgery to get it back into place. And another loved one being admitted to the hospital. So, suddenly I am seeing multiple ways that health is failing in people that matter to me. It has provided a true wake up call and made me really think hard about taking better care of myself.

I know, broken record. But maybe this time will be different. We only get one body to last us a lifetime. It seems important to take care of it and give it what it needs. I know I have seriously lacked in motivation for quite some time now, and I am really not sure how to get out of that slump. But I have to try. For my sake, but also for my boys. I try and set a good example for them but lately it just feels like I haven't been doing that. I haven't been terrible, but I know I can do better. I am thinking maybe if I can get to this blog more often, that might help.

And I need to keep an eye on the calories going in, and the quality of those calories as well. I want to be eating a more balanced diet, in the quantities that I need to sustain myself (or perhaps a little less than I need so I can attack the extra weight that has crept back on). I want to be eating lots of fruits and vegetables. And I want to come up with strong protein sources that are not always based on animals. And I need to drink more water. That should be an easy one!! I need to concentrate on the part where the fuel going in is high quality and real. Yes, I will still have some treats. I have too much of a sweet tooth not to. But I need to make sure they are just that... a treat... and only sometimes. I need to resist the constant unhealthy snacks on display at my workplace. I need to remember that what goes in is what will be fuelling me. And I only need so much fuel. I should probably start tracking what I eat again, because the last time I did that, it was super effective.

But the other side of it is the exercise. Now I know the last little while has been a bit dictated for me, but it doesn't mean I still can't find a way to sneak in some exercise etc. I have not made it a priority. I need to. I need to because I want my body to be strong for me. I need to because I want to be strong for my family. So I hope that today gets me going again. I am going to put up this post, and see if I can try and add to this blog at least three times a week.

Today I made the decision to go for a run. Nothing long. Nothing far. Just a run. And I did. It was super hot outside, but I went. Just for half an hour. But it was something. Because I want to start making it a priority. For me. No more excuses.

And I guess I should document where I am starting. Ugh. Again. Not something I really want to share, but something I really need to so that I can try and improve upon it. The scale says to me 194.2lbs. I know. There is work to be done. The pants are pretty snug. I want them to be loose again. I want to feel better about me. I can do this... at least, I hope I can!!