My Fitness Journey: Celebrating Small Victories For True Progress

This is photo of my grandmother and I. She has
overcome Breast cancer and beat so many odds
in her lifetime. She is an inspiration. She has
always encouraged me to make wise food choices.
It has taken me this long to turn my realization that
she is right into a reality in my own life. She is a
very well-balanced woman all the way around,
and I adore her. She turned 91 last fall.

As I am stepping back into the writing zone and adding it into my week, I can't help but share my small victories with you.  I feel like a new person. It has taken me months and months just to wrap my mind around this new lifestyle.  I want to share with you my struggles and let you know about my victories whether they are big or small so that you too may be encouraged!

Many of you are on a journey toward a goal.  My goal is to make healthy choices so that my body becomes stronger instead of weaker over time.  I am 28 years old and although I am not old enough to feel the pull on my body as much as I will in the next 5 years, I want to be a strong wife for my husband and a healthy mama for my kids.  Every aspect of my life has been strengthened since I have made the decision to stay in the gym.  I will go into my routine more later. But just the fact that I have developed a routine is a miracle in itself. 

MY SMALL VICTORY THIS WEEK: Turning Down Soda!

For me, turning down sodas has been the biggest struggle. I did good to get through the week with just one, and now I have moved them completely off the option list.  I don't even consider them a reward/treat for the week.  They seem more like poison now. (Don't laugh...If you really think about it...It is!)

HERE'S MY STORY:

While waiting on my son to finish basketball practice, I became a little bored and wanted a pick me up because I was feeling sluggish and so I thought... "I need caffeine." 

I shimmied over to the snack and soda machines and I pressed E5 and watched the Ice Cold Coca-Cola drop to the grab-door.  I pulled it out and stood up looking at it as though it had the power to change my entire day. 

I took it upstairs to the track where I kept sipping on it while walking briskly and pushing my youngest in the stroller.  "This is a treat!", I told myself. I had not had a soda in probably 2 weeks.  

Then it hit me.  I felt terrible.  My stomach hurt so badly and I began to feel even worse. My body was totally rejecting it. (NOTE: Did you know that you can clean your toilets with Coca-Cola? Scary.)

I had only drank half of the bottle and I felt horrible.
A few days later, I was offered the option of Coke, Sweet Sweet tea, or water.  I chose water.  It was easier this time, mostly because I was afraid of it.  I was afraid it would ruin my day.  I had too much to do to be sick and tired.  I wanted to feel great. So...I chose WATER!

This may be something you have already overcome...and maybe you don't see the harm in it, but from where I am sitting... It doesn't do good, so why put it into your body.  For my mind to come to grips with this reality has been life changing.  Dr. Pepper has always been my go-to drink of choice. 

I will most likely have the temptation a dozen more times and I will have to contemplate and talk myself into it. But if I can celebrate these small victories on my journey it will enable me to change my way of thinking and count it as TRUE PROGRESS! 

We only have this one body. This one temple that the Lord has entrusted to us.  I believe the choices we make can prolong our lives, whether it is our physical time here on earth, or our spiritual decisions leading us into eternity with our Heavenly Father. 

We are to do ALL THINGS as though for the Lord, himself. ALL THINGS! 

I believe He will be glorified from my decision to take care of my body...and that is all that I care about.