A Better Day

     Its is amazing how a little reflection (and re-reading of my inutitive eating book), a good night's sleep and a touching email from my mother-in-law can perk my spirits right on up. After having the rough day I had yesterday, I went home and chilled out. I sat on the couch and skimmed through the book Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch. When I started working with my nutritionist, she recommended I read this book, as it was the approach she took with her clients. Let me tell you, it is an amazing book and really spoke to me. There were so many examples in the book of my exact behaviors around and with food. I would highly recommend it to anyone struggling with food in ANY way. (I got mine on Amazon for under $15!) After skimming through most of the book I realized I needed to get my head back in the game (we had football on, hence the sports analogy) and that I needed to focus on some of the principles of the book a little more. It definitely perked me up some and got my mind set that I will be successful and do this but it will take time!

     Another thing that inspired and perked me  up last night is the picture at the end of this blog. It is a picture of my very good friend Courtney and I at her wedding almost six years ago (can you BELIEVE that Court!). Anyway, when I looked at this picture last night I realized that at that point in time, I was disordered eating free! I was happy, confident, exercised, ate what I wanted, wasn't scared of food, didn't judge my body so harshly, basically,  VERY different than I am today. While looking at it I realized, that GIRL is still in me, that I can get back to being that girl. When I look into my eyes in the picture (although I had had QUITE a few cocktails) I see confidence with myself, something I have lost quite a bit of. So, as I reflected on those thoughts, as well as my day, I realized a few things. For one, the reason I guess I got in a bit of a snit yesterday was that every time I have embarked on a "diet" before, I saw results, quick. But I realized that these "diets" were unhealthy and mostly involved undereating (followed by eating TOO much). I also realized that what I am doing NOW is NOT a DIET. It is a lifestyle change. So, I realized that to meet my goal I have to have  patience (as I have mentioned before, not my BEST virtue, at all!). I have to stick with it to see the results I want. I also realized (from looking at the picture) it took me almost 6 years to get to this point, it will take a bit of time to get back to that girl, but she is in there! And although this journey is very hard, I am not discouraged or mad about it, I have faith God is teaching me something. As my mother-in-law said in her very heartfelt email to me earlier today : "Life is a really cool journey, we are always learning". It really is, and I plan to continue to learn! (Thanks Mama D.!)