I just read an article about people’s most kept New Year’s resolution… my favorite was ‘not making New Year’s resolutions!’
I do find the new calendar year a good opportunity to reflect back and look forward. The new number (2019) somehow feels shiny and unblemished. It seems a chance for a new start.
Reflecting back I think we see the stage we are in as the most challenging. When I had four little kids at home I thought: how easy the weight loss journey would be when they were older or grown and out of the house. Now that I’ve reached that stage, certain aspects are indeed easier or simpler but other challenges arrive. For example, with senior parents in Florida and our daughter now living in Israel, we are blessed to be able to travel regularly to visit. But that means a large chunk of time has a lack of routine. That’s a new twist or challenge for weight loss or maintenance that I have to figure out at this stage of life. As it becomes my new normal, I can’t look at every trip as ‘vacation party’ time the way I might have if it impacted on one or two weeks in the year. I’m working on this but have yet to really figure it out. I try very hard to be mindful, keep active and make better choices. But who am I kidding? Eating many meals out means many decadent options and even small tastes add up! I am pretty strict about getting to my regular meeting to weigh in at my first Friday back home. That keeps me a bit more grounded and mindful.
Still, I note that this year my first weigh in of the calendar year I’m up a few pounds over last year … This upward trend is a few years now! I’m not happy about that creeping up of the number on the scale.
But what exactly am I doing about it other than complaining. Hmm. To be honest, I’m not sure that any of my small actions are making enough of a difference to turn that trend around. But I do keep trying , keep putting one foot forward, as I try to navigate where I am now in life.
I don’t think of the new year as a chance for a new me but I do want to put forward the best and healthiest version of me yet.
So, giving up is not an option. I will continue to learn from my screwups and see what works and doesn’t work for me.
Here’s to a happier, healthier, more mindful version of us all for 2019!
Mindfully yours,
Miriam