Amy:
One (of many) motivation for changing my eating and exercise habits is energy conservation. I'm really sick of spending the day up and down, up and down and then crashing in a heap on the couch at 5pm. When I eat sugary snacks all day at work, all I want to do is lounge around and watch TV when I get home. I have no energy to walk my dog, rollerblade, run, mountain bike or do any of the other activities I enjoy.
I felt pretty good yesterday. I didn't eat any sweets at all. I exercised when I got home, then power-walked up a big hill, walked my dog and then tidied up the house. I went to bed at 9:30, read for a half hour and turned the light off at 10pm. I slept better than I have in a long time. Last night for dinner, I had broccoli with olive oil - that was it! No dessert, no "second" dinner - nothing. And you know what? I survived!
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Monday, July 24, 2006
The Starting Line
Amy:
Last night found me lying in bed, unable to sleep. I was over-full from the massive, loaded garden burger, mozzarella sticks, French fries and two cocktails I'd had a 4 o'clock. I was, as is frequently the case, disgusted with myself for yet another day of bad food choices and no exercise.
I did a value exercise a few years ago, one which forces you to whittle down and prioritize your values. Although it wasn't in my top four at the time (to learn, be aware, have adventure and one other that I can't recall (!)), I know for sure that at this point in my life, one of the things I most value is good health. I want, and think about every day, to honor my body with peace, good food, healthy exercise - such as power walking and yoga - mediation, quality sleep and positive energy. I want and value these things, and yet do nothing to foster them. I routinely start my day with good intentions and then fall into unconscious mode: eating too much sugar, talking myself out of working out, not making time to mediate or do yoga, staying up too late reading magazines or watching TV.
There are thousand of “self help” books published, each promising better bodies, relationships and lives with the turn of a page. I’ve heard it said, however, and am more inclined to believe, that true change is very rare and hard won. I think it can happen, but it requires “staying awake” in every moment of our lives, continual focus and refocus, and most important, a real desire to be different.
I have that desire. My hope is this blog will help me “stay awake”. I plan to write a post each morning to reaffirm my commitment to change and to stay accountable to my intention to live simply, cleanly and happily through healthy habits and decision-making.
Thanks for reading! I hope my journey inspires you to live your life according to your values and your dreams for yourself.
Last night found me lying in bed, unable to sleep. I was over-full from the massive, loaded garden burger, mozzarella sticks, French fries and two cocktails I'd had a 4 o'clock. I was, as is frequently the case, disgusted with myself for yet another day of bad food choices and no exercise.
I did a value exercise a few years ago, one which forces you to whittle down and prioritize your values. Although it wasn't in my top four at the time (to learn, be aware, have adventure and one other that I can't recall (!)), I know for sure that at this point in my life, one of the things I most value is good health. I want, and think about every day, to honor my body with peace, good food, healthy exercise - such as power walking and yoga - mediation, quality sleep and positive energy. I want and value these things, and yet do nothing to foster them. I routinely start my day with good intentions and then fall into unconscious mode: eating too much sugar, talking myself out of working out, not making time to mediate or do yoga, staying up too late reading magazines or watching TV.
There are thousand of “self help” books published, each promising better bodies, relationships and lives with the turn of a page. I’ve heard it said, however, and am more inclined to believe, that true change is very rare and hard won. I think it can happen, but it requires “staying awake” in every moment of our lives, continual focus and refocus, and most important, a real desire to be different.
I have that desire. My hope is this blog will help me “stay awake”. I plan to write a post each morning to reaffirm my commitment to change and to stay accountable to my intention to live simply, cleanly and happily through healthy habits and decision-making.
Thanks for reading! I hope my journey inspires you to live your life according to your values and your dreams for yourself.
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