Thursday, October 16, 2008

Putting on the brakes!

It has come to my attention although not directly that my head is slipping into a place that does not serve me well. It's that place that contains the diet information that I've learned over the years. Some of it's good...eat healthy, exercise moderately & enjoy life but some of it's bad...restrict this or that, cardio myself to death (this does not include training for a race.)

The battle continues with trying to stop that side of my head from creeping it's ugliness into reality. Why? Because I made a promise to my Dad. Because I cannot put Kevin through what my Dad went through with my Mom. Because it's not healthy & that's ultimately what I want for myself.

To be healthy, fit, active & enjoying the life that I have been given.

There's nothing wrong with that but it's easy to let that part of our heads suck us in! You know.....carbs are bad, fat will make you fat, the scale dictates your health, ice cream & candy corn aren't good for you (hehehe.) Seriously though, it's so easy to get pulled back into the "diet" mentality.

Yes, I'm going to Weight Watchers & yes, it's more or less a diet. But never will you hear WW tell you that a food is bad, off-limits or whatever. That the criticism that WW has received. You can use your points for whatever you want...that is true but they do not advocate eating 24 points a day in ice cream (that would be 3/4 of a pint of Ben & Jerry's for the record.) What they do is talk about making optimal choices & maximizing your points. Think of it as getting the biggest bang for your buck!

Anyway, my point is that I've realized that my head snuck into that place I dont like. I found myself starting to restrict by doing things that are not truly healthy. I'm not proud of that but I'm glad I realized it & nipped it in the bud before it got out of hand.

So that's my thought of today. I posted it in my journal last night but wanted to expand upon it. Well, I guess I only sort of did that.

My promise to my Dad was that I would always stay healthy (of course...only talking of what is in my control.) Resorting to extremes is not healthy & will not serve my body any purpose towards that goal.

It's nice to squash thoughts. It's nice to know that I still am in control & can exercise that control over stinkin' thinkin'! It's nice to know that there are people in my life...some of whom I've never met in person that can really make me think, support me no matter what but will equally give me that reality check that I need whenever I need it. Those of you who are that source in my life...thank you from the bottom of my heart!

6 comments:

MarciaG said...

Stinkin' thinkin'..I like that saying! I might have to steal it from ya! ;)
Great job Heather!!!! You are always so right to the point and on target ( ohh Target-Monster Trail Mix). Anyway.....that is what people ( myslef included) admire about you.
Way to go!

Anonymous said...

LOL...Marcia...the Target Monster Trail Mix.. You know i still have not tried that...Lord know the last thing i need is more food to binge on :)
I get that way some days to Heather. Back into that no carbs..low fat strict diet way of thinking. Life is to be enjoyed. I know i put Steve through some trying times too with the way i use to eat...not wanting to go out because it didn't fit into "my plan". I'm in a healthier place now. I think we both are..
big hugs to you..

Anonymous said...

I wanted to tell you I love your blog. People seem to think that once the weight is off the fight is over and it is easy!! Both you and I know that it is a never ending battle from within and we wil WIN!!

Nichole

Krissa said...

I am glad you "squashed" those negative thoughts. I feel the same way often. In fact, I did it today too. I didnt get to workout yesterday due to a LONG stressful day at work so today I wanted to give up and eat candy corn and peanuts all day. But I was able to squash those thoughts and I am doing a double workout today to get back on track.

I didnt agree with WW at first because it did seem like people ate CRAP but that is their choice. If you follow the good health guidelines then its hard to "spend" your points on unhealthy foods--because you wont have enough. But there are those flex points to use for a weekly treat to look forward to.

I weigh in tomorrow morning. What day do you usually weigh in?

Jeff and Natalie Perez said...

Heather, You are such a great person and the fight will always go on. Hopefully we continue to learn. I know go through those things too and it is nice to know that there are others like me or know where I am coming from.

Keep up your growth. I'm sure you are so far ahead than you were say 5 years ago. You are still inspiring!

Anonymous said...

You made a promise to your dad, to Kevin. But what about the promise you made to yourself? To keep your heart healthy but also your mind?

Keep that promise to yourself. To not get into habits that don't let you live the life you deserve. Either good or bad: eating too restrictively and not enjoying life, or not being healthy enough and feeling like crap so you are not enjoying life.