Thoughts about March- the 25% Mark!

March has been a really dramatic month for me. The really warm weather this month brought Spring fever and thoughts of summer a few months earlier than normal. We were having 80 degree days when we are normally dealing with snow. The weather turned out to be a blessing in a whole bunch of ways.

As I looked through my closet for things to wear, those familiar sad feelings started coming back to me.... I hate my legs in shorts, my arms have gotten so big, tshirts show my tummy rolls....and I haven't done anything to change any of that....again. I just couldn't stand the idea that I have the power to change my life, and here I was...again...not using that power to do anything.

Well, on the random, warm, middle of the week day- March 15- I decided that I had had enough. I didn't make any big announcements or come up with any big plans like I have in the past. I just thought back to what I did to stay fit before and after my daughter (now 8) was born. I looked great then...that was before baby number 4, before my 40's, and before our move to a new town and my mom's car accident. I was not thin...but I had a great shape, I was healthy and I was confident.

What I remembered:
Power walking- almost every morning, was how I started my day. I can't get back to that schedule as easily, but I sure can aim to power walk, even if on the treadmill, more days than zero!

I also followed an Atkins/SBeach style of eating. I did not eat a lot of peanut butter, or cookies, or bread. I was much more aware of eating healthy food because I wasn't always in my car- rushing and driving everywhere!

As a family, we walked more. There was a park in our old neighborhood and the schools were down the street- so we walked almost everyday. I live in a more remote area now, but I can always incorporate more movement in my day.

So, I got out my cute little journal, started pouring my heart out, and also started repeating the history that I had that got me healthy...and I have had some happy success. I lost 9 pounds this month.

But, history is a funny thing! Last year, in March, I also lost 8 pounds. My weights were almost identical to this year...where I started and where I ended. It was in April, when I had the choice to charge ahead or retreat that I chose retreat and gained it all back. I spent the rest of last year wrestling with those same pounds.

April represents a major fork in my road! I can repeat last year and just walk around the block- just keep going in circles. Or, I can choose the road I had travelled so long ago that brings me back to my confident, happy, healthy self....just in an older version!

I am standing at the fork and am walking towards the road to success....but I know it will take a daily effort to keep me on that path, moving forward, rather than returning to the same (and unfortunately) familiar neighborhood where I just walk in circles.

I have a plan.
I have the support of my family.
I have great support here from my teams and friends.

So all I need to add is ME- showing up every day, in every way. I need to keep moving forward, not looking back. I need to be unafraid of failing, or falling, or stalling. I need to believe I can do this.

April will be a big month for me...and I am excited for the idea that it is mine to shape!

25% of the year is already behind us. I am not on track for the goals I set at the beginning of the year....but I am OK with that. What I have is today- to focus on and deal with. I will make loads of progress, and I will look back on 2012 as a year of positive changes...if I can just remember to put one foot in front of the other every day!