Choices

Happy Sunday once again!

Let me start today by saying that it is hard to come up with something to talk about each week. If you have something you would like me to write about, please let me know!
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Moving on to today’s topic…
Choices

Some weeks are just filled with not-so-great food choices. This was one of those weeks. (see photo above)

I had a lot of fried food, a lot of snacking food, and a lot of excess sugary foods.

But you know what?
It is still ok.

I don’t find that I failed. I acknowledge that I could have made better choices. I know that my body did not like some of the choices because of how it reacted (but it was still worth it! LOL). 

I think about a t-shirt I have from #loseitapp that says “Diet food" and has a picture of pizza. That is a reminder that all foods can have a place in a balanced lifestyle.

Do not view foods as "good" versus “bad.” This can create negative attitudes regarding food and nutrition.

I am not saying that all foods are an excellent nutritional choice for a healthy lifestyle all the time.

I am saying that in a healthy lifestyle there is room for all types of foods of varying nutritional values.

A well-balanced lifestyle can allow you to enjoy the foods that you love within reasonable quantities (exceptions to this include allergies, diseases, etc. that do require certain foods to be avoided at all cost).

How do you create a well-balanced lifestyle?
By all of the choices you make in your everyday life. 

Lifestyle choices include exercise (type of exercise as well as amount of time), stress management, enjoyable activities, security in basic needs, as well as nutrition decisions.

How often do our stress levels determine what, how much, and why we eat? How often do we see exercise as a punishment for what we ate rather than the celebration of what we area able to do?

You don’t have to be a gym rat, or run marathons, or be an Olympic athlete. You don’t have to be on the latest diet fad or a particular number on the scale.

You just have to learn your own body. Understand your body’s unique needs and abilities. Define ways you would like to improve conditions.

I know it sounds like it should be easy.

It is not.

You will have many setbacks.

You will look at others and be jealous of how “easy" it is for them.

My advice: Do not compare your journey to anyone’s. 

Your journey is unique to you.

You can get to where you want to be, and it will be on the timetable that is right for you.

The only way to fail is to quit.

And as hard as it can be, please do not give up!

Find a cheerleader, someone to walk the journey with you.
If you don’t know who can be a good cheerleader for you, you can count on me! Just message me. We don’t have to know each other in person. I want you to succeed and celebrate your successes!!!

And please cheer on others who share their accomplishments with you.

We can support each other and lose nothing of ourselves.
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I hope you take this next week and evaluate the goals you set at the start of the new year. Look at them objectively and see if they are reasonable, attainable, and is your plan to reach them effective and appropriate? It is never too late to adjust or even start over. You just keep moving forward!
 
Have a great week and keep DANCING FORWARD!