THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF MY LIFE

Today marks a new day for me.  Today is the first day of the rest of my life. This is a phrase I always thought I'd use once my weight-loss goal was achieved, but I need it NOW!  Today!  And I may need it again and again, every time I make a change!  What is it going to take for me to meet these new goals I've set??  The answer is simple... a lot more commitment.

Tuesday I went for a walk in the a.m. and the p.m. and I also hit the gym. This morning I went to the gym to do some cardio and I plan on returning later this evening to do some weights.  I am going to try and squeeze an evening walk in as well.  Is is easy fitting all this exercise into my day??  No, but it's necessary. Once you've reached your fitness pinnacle, it becomes a little easier to maintain.  But in order to get there you have to put in a lot of extra effort. Especially, if in the last five years your body has seen the inside of an ice cream parlor more often than it's seen the inside of a gym.

I have been sticking to my Paleo eating but I've made a few minor adjustments.  I've eliminated a few of the meat/protein meals for more fruits and vegetables.  I normally have a hard boiled egg in the morning with a piece of sausage or some other meat, and a small serving of fresh fruit.  Every other day I've replaced that meal with an all fruit meal, substituting the meat and egg with some Greek yogurt.  For lunch I usually have some turkey and cheese with some cut-up vegetables.  Every other day I've replaced that meal with an all vegetable meal of either raw vegetables and hummus, marinated tomato slices with cheese, or a salad.  I have predominantly saved the big meat/protein dishes for dinner.

I think these changes have shaved off a few extra calories and have reduced a bit of my sodium and fats intake.  I eat only good quality meat, but I have been eating some rolled up lunchmeat for lunch and sausage for breakfast lately.  Though I do buy low-sodium, small farm versions, the nature of those meats is still salty and less lean.  That's the trouble with eliminating carbohydrates.  Sooner or later you end up replacing them with less and less desirable substitutes and then you have to shake yourself a bit and reset to zero.  I am back to the chicken breasts and turkey burgers and shelved the hot dogs and sausage patties for a bit.

I am excited about the goals.  I understand that I may or may not achieve them.  Don't worry, I've already had that conversation with myself so that I don't have a nervous breakdown and give up should I fall short.  I do believe I will achieve them, however, and it feels good to be pushing myself a little harder towards making that happen.

"Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." -Will Rogers