Looking Around

More days to follow

Ok, so I haven't been the most reliable blogger in the universe. I have to admit, I have not kept much of a blog going here. I keep getting 5 or 6 reminders before getting around to jotting anything here. And, then, I usually have just a few minutes to put "something" down, then I have to go. So, what is here is mindless drivel of a sort. Perhaps a really good New Year's resolution would be to write here more consistently. I would say every day, but after 50 or so years on the planet... I know better.

Just like changing anything in one's life, the goals and aims must be doable. I have watched lots of people... and myself... try to diet or cease some bad habit or another or change attitudes. What I see for myself is that changing just a little at a time and sticking with it works the best. Also, it is important to make a positive change or step. I have found that cutting things out has much less energy or effectivess than vowing to do something differently. For example, I once weighed in about 210 lbs- on a 5'9" frame. No, I wasn't especially round or rolly-polly- but the love handles were very cuddly and I ended up panting every morning as I tied my shoes.

Currently, I am about 180 lbs- not especially svelte and definitely not emaciated looking- but I fell much better, I can see my feet and I can maintain a higher level of activity. How did I do it? I wanted to for the first step... not just a wish, but a determined want to. I then viualized myself weighing about 170 lbs. (take a half hour to sit quietly and deeply feel every part of your body feeling healther and lighter then tell your body what weight you want). I then made a determined effort to start choosing the healthest food available- example, I used to drink lots of colas. Instead of soda, I made a vow to choose water. It is subtle, but it is different from trying to stop drinking cokes. And, don't even try to sell me on diet drinks... the chemicals are worse to me than the sugars. I switched to chosing water or juice or my poison of choice, black coffee or tea.

That was a couple of years ago, now it seems natural and effortless. I don't even want candy (except dark semi-sweet chocolate) or junk. I do crave whole fruit, foods I can identify and water (and coffee... that may be a one day in the future decision). I am not in perfect health by any means. I have high blood pressure and still carry more weight than I should- but I can walk a mile to my favorite coffee shop and music hangout without dieing (yes, I am careful crossing streets- diet all you want but a bus can put you away for good). I ride a bike to work in good weather and enjoy meals.

Which brings me around to making another change for this year- choosing to spend more time putting things down in words or journals- here and other places. I might even add a story or book or something to the mix- mostly, I will just choose to spend time writing instead of watching. I will feel successful if I can avoid getting the weekly reminders to update my blog (an achievable and measurable effect). So, we'll see.