As I stated in the previous entry, I'm overweight.
No, don't try to argue with me. Don't tell me I'm "not fat." It's not a self-esteem thing. My self esteem is as good as any 22 year old girl's.
No, it's absolutely a health thing. My risk for heart disease is already high. Diabetes and heredity, as well as being a former smoker put me at high risk. If I can shed some weight, I can significantly drop that risk!
I recently read a book called Water with Lemon, by author Zonya Foco, creator of Lickity Split Meals, a cookbook which has a special edition for diabetics that I own and use on occasion. The part about the book that struck me most was the push to "never underestimate the power of one good habit." I decided to start with Zonya's list of "good habits" to follow (they are available for printing on her website, however, apparently since the last time I checked she has created a "password" which you have to have read the book to have(I'd love to give it to you, but I'll have to go home and look it up).
The point is, everyone has good, healthy habits and bad, unhealthy habits. By making lists of good habits we want to achieve and bad habits we want to eradicate, we can live healthier lives simply by working toward those goals.
MY LISTS:
Healthy Habits to Achieve:
- Drinking more water
- Exercise 4-5 times a week
- Test glucose levels at least 4 times a day
- Replace processed foods with fresh and organic foods
- Eat more Omega 3 fatty acid foods (to raise my good cholesterol)
Unhealthy Habits to Get Rid of:
- stop drinking so much diet coke!!
- Stop eating pre-packaged meals with preservatives, artificial flavoring, and massive amounts of sodium (but they're so easy!)
- Stop eating at least 3 hours before bedtime (I am queen of late night snacks!)
- Lower my sodium intake
- Stop staying up late at night (unless I can get a full 8 hours in)
There are my lists. What are some other things on your lists?
Way to go Sarah! First step is admitting you have a problem, right? Before I got diabetes, I had some pretty bad habits too.
ReplyDelete1) First thing I did was cut out pop COMPLETELY. No diet, no nothing. If you learn to not like that taste, you'll naturally gravitate toward more healthy drinks.
2) Start a running regimen. I used to hate running, but now I run 20 miles a week, and it's my escape from life. I don't do it to impress people, I don't do it cuz I have to, I do it cuz I want to, just for me :)
3) Remember that the front lines on the battle against poor eating habits start at the grocery store. If you don't have unhealthy food in the house, you won't eat it!
4) Take a multivitamin, and a B-Complex supplement for energy. Since I've started taking a B-Complex vitamin, I feel much more energized (not necesssarily motivated tho, lol). It's not a quick fix, but it helps.
5) Hold yourself accountable. You know that good feeling you get when you leave the store without buying anything? When you make a healhty food choice? When you've overcome temptation? Learn to look for opportunities to get that feeling.
6) Remember that it's never too late to start making a change. Part of the human experience is making mistakes, learning from them, and becoming a bettter person.
Love the blog Sarah! Keep it up!