New Year, New Plans

I can't believe it's already the 7th of January. In a few more days, my son will be 20. Everything goes by so quickly. It seems like only a few days ago we were starting 6th grade and made the big move to the country.

So, my plans for the new year...

1. The most obvious and needed one is to pay better attention to my health and what I eat & my activity level. I spend way too much time not moving around. That said, I have a blog for my weight-loss journey. I have to get it started soon.
2. I want to "be creative" more often - 2-3 days a week minimum. What the heck does that mean?? I want to scrapbook or make cards more often- something. I guess it also means to be creative outdoors too in the garden. I think I've lost some of my creative side to growing up.
3. I hope to blog or journal more.

That's really all it. Not a big list and not an especially hard list to accomplish.

So what about last year?

My biggest issue last year was my family - not son & spouse but parents and siblings.

There are some things I think I could have done better, how I handled my siblings for one, but in my defense (and who else's defense should I cover?) I don't know any other way. If I didn't do what I did, and bowed down to them again, it wouldn't have changed a thing. Even now, if I explain anything, it's not their fault. So it's done.

Thoughts on lifestyle eating

From a forum on South Beach: This really hits the spot on how I am going to have to think about my food decisions. It's not a diet, thats the weak way to think about what I'm doing for my body, it's a healthier choice. I need to lose weight but gain the strength to say no. I need to worry about what MY family is eating and not what someone else has - even though they may be well educated & in the medical field "Hello - I am responding to your question of telling friend/family that I am on a diet.. I have found that I try to never use the word diet - I don't know what psychologically happens when I say that word to family/friends, but it seems to put me in a deprived weak place. So I have been keeping my mouth shut and just moving forward with eating properly. It seems I have to put myself in a place of strength rather than deprivation. Of course they are always pushing those high carbs on me, so I just say that I have really decided that my health is very important to me - and that also puts me in a place of strength. It is amazing when people start looking up to you for caring about the way you eat - instead of "you poor thing I feel so bad that you can't eat this or that feeling". When I say diet and I lose my place of strength that makes them look like the lucky one - and I sit there knowing they are stuffing their bodies full of things that will end up harming them in the end. Sometimes it appears they are getting by with it - but it usually catches up someday. That is why also it is important for me to set an example to my family if I can, and some day they will follow. I have told them I have been looking at SB and think it has some extremely good recipes/ideas and suggestions that I like and just don't keep talking unless they ask more, and they amazingly usually don't. Seems like everyone has to hit bottom on their own before reaching out. for help.

I also am in post menopause and that is when I really started gaining the extra pounds and I think I have used that for an excuse the last 3 years;however, I feel that if I think of this as a "forever "way of eating as best I can- as I know we fall off the wagon some days- .then not only will I regain my health but eventually my body has to follow. I feel there are so many emotions attached to this change and I have been on many "diet" programs in the past and they were just temporary changes. This SB is a new life for me.Hope it will be for you- I think each day you get stronger and stronger - some day I plan for it to be very easy. I am on day 6 - hope to hear some responses. I will probably be on this online support the rest of my life! Isn't it strange that I can usually get more support from a stranger than I can my own family and friends. .Some day I will be promoting the SB to all my friends/family when they stat asking why I feel and look better - but I'm not going to sabotage myself now. by talking "diet"diet". Bye now - hope this helps and I hope I don't get kicked off for talking too much."