New Year, New Me

For as many years as I can remember I have made my New Year's resolution to lose weight, while this year is no different I still want to lose weight, I am doing it for a different reason.

In the past my number one focus was always looking good and being "skinny" but after several months of health issues, that may or may not be related to my weight, I am ready for a real positive change that has nothing to do with what size of jeans I can wear. 

I want to lose weight so I can be healthy, so my body doesn't have to work so hard to go through daily life, so I don't someday end up taking medicine for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and maybe diabetes. If there is anything that being sick off and on for the past several months has taught me it is this: good health is a blessing but not something that comes without work. 

I want more than anything to not be sick anymore (or ever again but that is just wishful thinking) and I have come to realize that no amount a medicine can make up for not taking care of my body. 

I have to drink more water and eat more vegetables and workout and stop making excuses. No one forced me to not workout for 4 months, nobody has held me down and forced me to eat pizza, ice cream, cookies, pop, sugary cereal and a number of other foods that have been a regular part of my diet the past few months. I chose to eat those thing and I chose to not workout and now I have to choose healthier habits. 

As I write this I am drinking a green juice made from cucumber, celery, spinach, lemon and apple. It isn't the most tasty thing I have ever drank but it is good for me and for my body. 

I want to eat less processed foods, drink less caffeine, eat more whole foods and listen to my body when it comes to hunger cues. I don't want to never eat dessert again but I do need to implement a lot of moderation in my life. I know I can't do a complete 180 all at once but I am on the path, taking baby steps, towards a healthier, happier me.