My Health Improvements for 2009

It's been two years since my daughter was born. I have to admit that I am still carrying some of my pregnancy weight. The journey to losing it has proved a difficult one, mostly because of my own lack of motivation and will power. But I got to that point where I was tired of feeling sluggish, bloated, and just plain unhealthy. I hated being out of breath after dancing and jumping around with my daughter. The ultimate turning point for me, though, was when I realized that, as of this writing, my wedding is in five months! I took a long hard look at my lifestyle and told myself that if I wanted to be a beautiful blushing bride, I have to make some major improvements to my health. Not only that, to also keep up with my two-year-old!

Health Improvement #1: NO MORE DIET COKES!

Diet Coke has been a major weakness for me. I convinced myself that "diet" was okay and once a day wouldn't hurt me. However, "once a day" turned to a couple times a day. Earlier in the year I tried limiting myself to one can three times a week, but of course, as with any addiction, a "little taste" triggers a yearning for more. So the only thing to do was quit cold turkey. No taste, no sip, none at all. After nixing Diet Cokes, I no longer feel as bloated. Although I still crave them from time to time, I am able to resist the temptation.

Health Improvement #2: Limit white rice and bread.

Before I was pregnant, I ate mostly brown rice and hardly consumed bread except for sandwiches, which wasn't that often. But once I got into my pregnancy, I piled on the white rice and often craved peanut butter on white bread. Even after my daughter's birth, those habits still stuck with me. This year, however, I have managed to limit my intake of white rice. I choose brown rice if it is available or eat only half a cup of white rice. If I eat whole wheat toast in the morning or have a sandwich for lunch, I try not to eat rice for dinner at all. I have also switched to eating brown rice cakes instead of bread.

Health Improvement #3: Portion control.

Pregnancy gave me a perfect reason to indulge and eat more. That mindset eventually spilled over to post-pregnancy and I continued to eat more than I should. In the past, I went on a very strict diet program for health reasons that limited what I could eat. I had to buy my own foods that were different from what everyone else was eating. I had wonderful results from that program. But that was before I had a family and I had only myself to take care of. I tried going back on that diet to lose weight and be healthier. But with a family and multiple mouths to feed, buying separate kinds of foods just wasn't economically sound. Instead, I started using portion control because it allows me to eat what the family is eating. As long as I eat a reasonable amount, I am not depriving myself, even with dessert.

Health Improvement #4: Walk around my neighborhood three times a week.

I had never appreciated my neighborhood so much until I started walking with my daughter in the mornings. I put her in her jogger, I hook up my IPod, and we are off. I would say that I walk about four miles each time. Walking has helped with me focus because it clears my head. I consider it my "alone time" because I zone out as I walk and listen to my music. The scenery also helps me to enjoy my walk.

Health Improvement #5: Go to the gym at least two times a week.

My sister and I have been going to gym at least two times a week. Because we go later in the evening, like at nine o'clock, we tend to just get in a quick workout and leave. Many times, a quick workout is only doing some cardiovascular exercise because the weight training area is often still crowded. I know that I do need to make more of an effort to weight train because that will boost my metabolism and burn fat. But to me, just getting to the gym is an accomplishment.

Making these changes has not been easy but I am making progress each day. And each day, I feel better about myself. I try not to beat myself up for failing to go to the gym or not walking, or when I do give in to another piece of dessert. Total change takes time and happens in baby steps. But if I keep my eye on the prize (not getting tired chasing my daughter around or looking ravishing at my wedding), that will motivate me even more to succeed.