For me, the holidays were crazy busy. Lots of fun getting together with friends, spending time with my husband and our fur-babies, and volunteering. I also spent a lot of time eating. Since menopause kicked in several years ago, my mouth has not listened to sense. No matter what the trainer in me thought, I just kept shoveling in food. I've also had little energy for exercise, especially the last couple months of 2013.
What's the deal?! Here I am a trainer and I'm stuffing my face, and exercise is no longer a passion. Menopause is a bear, let me tell you. It throws all your senses out the window. I've struggled the last few years and regained a good portion of what I'd lost between 2007-2009. I'm thankful I'd lost those 25 pounds before I hit menopause big time. Otherwise I'd weigh considerably more now.
But there is good news. I don't know if menopause is waning or I'm just becoming stronger in my ability to fight the cravings, but I've started 2014 with the determination to lose weight, be more active, and live healthier. It's as if on January 2 a switch was flipped. I have a totally new outlook on life. I've recommitted to exercise, working out most days of the week again. I've also cut out junk food. Maybe it's because I'm turning 50 soon. It seems as if 50 is the wake up call of ages. Although I don't consider 50 old, the older we get, the higher the risk for health problems. And I don't want being a bit chunky to cause those health issue to crop up.
I've always eaten quite healthily (I grew up on a farm and my mom grew a huge vegetable garden, plus we had fruit trees, so we always had lots of nutritious foods to eat and I've continued eating in that way through adulthood), but the snacks get me. Chocolate, and Hershey bars in particular, is a huge weakness. I could go without pretty much anything else when it comes to snacks, but if chocolate is in the house, I find it, and devour it. It's crazy! It doesn't help that my husband has a sweet tooth but can pace himself. He can save sweets for weeks. They're sitting there staring me in the face, or hidden on a high shelf--either way, I know they are there.
Having a treat now and then is fine, so I don't expect to ban chocolate from my diet, but I'm taking a break from it for a couple weeks to get my system back in order and my head on straight. I intend to treat myself to a bit of my favorites next weekend though. That's when I turn 50 and, while I'll eat sensibly for the most part, I'm not missing out on my chance to have chocolate and maybe a frozen yogurt sundae. I'd much rather have that than cake. But then on the 13th, I'll be back to eating healthy again.
If you've been waiting for a good time to start getting fit, it's now. If you've been into fitness in the past but have fallen off track, get back on it now. Join me in a commitment to fitness in 2014 and beyond. Let me know what you plan to do in this New Year to live a fitter, healthier life. Take baby steps and build up to more aggressive workout and meal plans over time. You've got to start somewhere and it all counts. And remember, make it fun! Email me at iwrite41@yahoo.com or comment below. Here's to a healthy, fit, and happy New Year! Take care.
