manzalexis's Journal, 24 October 2013

Start slow. R-e-a-l s-l-o-w. ---------------- Let me tell you about me for a bit. On July 13th of this year I went for a walk with a buddy. And since I thought that would be a good starting point, I vowed to walk every morning from then on. I told myself that if I did nothing but put on my walking clothes and walk out to the mailbox, I would call it "done!" ---------------- First I started with what I called my zombie shuffle - that is where, barely awake, I managed to make it to the end of my street or maybe even around a short block. That was July. It is now October and I manage to average at least 3 miles a day almost every day. (I take the occasional day off, but miss it when I do and am happy to begin again.) I like going for walks. ---------------- What, when you aren't exhausted, do you like to do? Bike? Walk? Basketball? Run? Jump rope? Start slow. ---------------- OR ---------------- Get a thrift shop exercise bike or treadmill, put it in front of the tv, and when your little one is in bed, put on your favorite tv show and watch it from your treadmill or bike. At first, you might just sit on the bike without peddling, while you watch, then maybe turn the pedals occasionally, and then more, until you build up to peddling through an entire show. ---------------- Now, let's talk food. Pick something to tackle. I use to drink 2 cups of coffee, with 6 tsps of sugar and 2 tbsp half & half every morning without fail. I called it my "Central Perk" cup. Then, I cut to 5 tsps sugar, then 1 tbsp creamer, etc. Now, IF I have coffee, I have one cup with 2 tsps of sugar and 1/2 tbsp cream. ---------------- So, if you use sugar, slowly decrease. Or, if you eat snack foods like chips, maybe say, only have chips when you sit down to lunch with your sandwich or soup. Then, only have chips twice a week, etc. ---------------- Slowly add new healthy habits to replace old unhealthy ones. This way, you will not feel overwhelmed and exhausted just thinking about how far you have to go. Try not to focus on your destination - enjoy the journey (I have learned about so many new foods that are healthy and very tasty and easy to make.) ---------------- A year from now, you will be pleasantly surprised at how, bit by bit, little by little, you have changed you. ---------------- Someone wise once told me, "The more you do, the more you do." I have found this to be true.