Blog

My Unusual Holiday Tradition

This is a secret, but I’m going to reveal my unusual holiday tradition to you, my friends. I start a diet regimen. Yes. I know it’s crazy, but I’ve done this at least two years running.

This time it’s different

I see you naysayers shake your heads.

“But it is something you do every November or December. Obviously, you haven’t been successful in changing your eating habits,” you say.

And you are right! This time is truly different. I started a plan called Noom. This is week 4 and I’ve lost 3 pounds.

“That’s lousy. By now, you should have lost at least 5 pounds.”

That’s why I believe I’ll be successful this time. All the other times I’ve ‘started a diet’, the initial results were phenomenal; 5, even 10 pounds in the first week or two. And then by the end of a month, I’m going crazy for carbs or sweets or whatever it is I was forced to give up.

How is this different?

Noom is psychology driven. They use multiple legitimate research studies to educate and help participants change their habits. It’s that simple. And they are funny. I like funny. How about you?

How do I start?

For me, I saw a TV commercial air during Jeopardy. Yes, I watch Jeopardy. And I’m amazed how much I don’t know both on Jeopardy and about my eating habits.

Noom has helped me get healthier, I think it could help you too! Use my special link for 20% off when you sign up here. And add my unusual holiday tradition to your December for the last time!

truly changing my health is simple

I’m committed to a dual pronged attack. If you’ve been reading my blog, you might have noticed quite a few references to my workout schedule. I started with a trainer in August. My trainer started off slowly and now I’m boxing on Wednesday, doing abdominal work on Friday, and training for a 5K on Sunday afternoons.  And now I’ve added a food change to the mix, daily logging food and interacting with my fellow Noomers because I believe consistency is the key to success!

When Life Throws You a Curve Ball

Eleven days ago I found out what it’s like when life throws you a curve ball.

Sometimes planning doesn’t pan out

I was poised to leave for a 7 day trip to Australia. Months earlier I had registered for a Women’s Retreat hosted by my Reiki Teacher, Bronwen, in the Blue Mountains north of Sidney. This was my second trip to the same location and I was planning smarter this time. I bought noise reduction headphones to better enjoy the 16 hour trip from San Francisco to Sidney.

I had acquired an international driving license to try my hand at English style driving. All my clothes were gathered together in my closet, carefully planned to deal with the Spring Down Under.

Then the email notification pops up

Less than 24 hours before my drive to the airport, I received an email that the Women’s Retreat had been cancelled.

“Oh no!” I gasped.

The email also offered personal instruction if I still wanted to travel across the globe. My first reaction was absolutely, I’m still going. The next morning when I awoke with a start at 3 am, I realized it was foolish to stay the course. At precisely 3:33 am, I sent an email to Bronwen that I wasn’t coming after all.

What now?

An entire week lay before me with no appointments, no obligations, totally available for spontaneity. What did I do?

Everyday I spent time in solitude and meditation. I also called my trainer to include healthy exercise. I walked at Bok Tower Gardens every other day. The result was a realization how much I’d been neglecting my own needs.

Lessons Learned

Next time when life throws you a curve ball, embrace the possibilities that have just opened up for you. Go with the flow. Practice gratitude every morning and every evening. And always buy travel insurance.

Black Friday or Abs Friday

Is this Black Friday or Abs Friday for you? I’ll confess that in my 65 years, I’ve ventured out to shop on Black Friday two times. That’s right two times. The fact I went a second time indicates I was coerced.

Routine Wins the Race

However, exercise is something I’ve enjoyed my whole life. Yet it is still easy to place it way down the list when prioritizing. Adding routine to an exercise program really helps though. And Friday is Abs Friday in my life.

Perfection is Not Attainable

I’ve accepted that perfection is not attainable…for me. When I miss an exercise day I’ve developed a few tricks to keep me on track.

  1. Add exercise to your other activities, like parking in the farthest parking space.
  2. Make exercise fun by finding what brings you joy while increasing your heart rate.
  3. Most importantly, forgive yourself.
  4. Tomorrow, a new day dawns

Get Out There

So whether Black Friday or Abs Friday is your thing, get moving!

Thanks for taking time to read my blog. Do you want to see me in person? I’ll be at Bok Tower Gardens on December 15, 2019 for an afternoon Introduction to Japanese Meditation. Click here to learn more and register!

Dawn