Friday 31 May 2013

21 Days to Change a Habit

Nothing in life comes easy.  It takes time and energy to make actions a habit, even good ones.  Bad habits are simply choices we make every day, choices that usually make life easier or simply because they are more convenient.  The best thing is the fact that habits can  be changed!

A few months into my journey it was obvious that my body needed to be treated better than I have been for the past 20 years.  I know that diets are not for me, when I found a challenge posted on Pinterest I thought I could adapt it and make it work.



They say that it only takes 21 days to change a habit, so for 21 days  I made a choice to follow this challenge and to see how it went.  There is no denying it, it was very hard.  The willpower it took to not give in was insane, without the support of my coworkers and family I don't think I would have made it.  I made sure I shared my challenge, invited others to join me and encouraged a network of people who would help me stay on task.

21 days went by, my body felt better than ever, my confidence was soaring, my willpower was stronger then ever!  21 days, only 3 weeks, less then 1 month and  under 1/12 of a year.  One big change, one small amount of time...what habit would you tackle?






Thursday 30 May 2013

The Biggest Loser

There is nothing more supportive than a group of people who share similar interests and goals.  Not long after I started my transformation, at the beginning of my addiction, I joined the Biggest Loser challenge at work.  A group of teachers who decided to attempt to get a little healthier.

Although our goals were small having a group of people who attempted to eat healthy without judgement and who compared completed exercise was encouraging.  All too often, attempts to get healthier results in comments not meant to be rude and disheartening but they feel that way.  Comments about diets and weight are sensitive issues for most people.  

It is crazy to realize that eating healthier and working out are not just acceptable ways to live to the average person.  To a person not on the path to becoming heathier, changing your diet means you must be on a radical diet that won't work.  Working out is usually viewed as a short term activity that won't last past the desired time of weight loss.  It is because of these preconceived attitudes and comments that most changes don't last.

I never thought I would be as happy as I was when I was titled the "JMSS Biggest Loser"...the prize pot was worth it too!

If you are serious about making changes to improve your health, start off by surrounding yourself with positive, like-minded people.  Your attitudes, behaviours and success will improve at a much faster pace!  


Wednesday 29 May 2013

Addiction

Addiction, a noun, the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing or activity.

I have always attributed the word "addiction" to a negative occurrence.  Something that restricts, a disease or an undesirable behaviour.  After 6 short weeks of experiencing the highs and lows of intense physical activity I quickly came to realize that my Bootcamp habit was also an addiction, and although annoying to others, this was not a cause for concern.  

Although I wasn't all that keen about the fear and anxiety I experienced every time I drove up to the building, I couldn't match the high I felt on the drive home when I realized I had once again pushed past my perceived limitations and accomplished another physical feat.  Who would have guessed that this simple activity would actually get me out of bed in the morning.  I learned to like waking up for a 6 am butt kicking!  

My life, although not perfect, is much better thanks to my Addiction.  This is one habit I can't see myself kicking anytime soon!





Tuesday 28 May 2013

The Beginning of my Discovery

It was about 2 years ago now when I think I was at my lowest. I was extremely frustrated and  unable  to find a good reason why I was so unhappy.  I appeared to have it all.  I had a great career, a long standing marriage, two beautiful children and was involved in any way I could imagine.  I constantly struggled to figure out what I actually liked, what made me happy and how to make everything seem ok.

As per a 20 year norm, I tend to fall into a negative, depressive state during the cold winter months.  however, despite warmer weather, more physical activity and time with friends, I just couldn't seem to shake the unwanted winter blahs.  As the summer approached and the thought of extra spare time to sit around and dwell on my unhappiness loomed, I took the advice of a good friend and agreed to spend 6 weeks with her,having my butt kicked at Blair's Bootcamp, where she had been a member and bragged about how great she felt going.  I will be honest, I entered into this 6 week challenge wanting to fail, just to prove to her that I was hopeless, beyond out of shape, and not mentally capable of change.  

That first session she dragged me to was the worst.  We started with a light jog around the block, fail...I didn't make it out of the parking lot before I had to stop and catch my breath.  As the torture continued I tried to keep up,  on the outside I looked like I was dying, on the inside my brain was happy...I was proving exactly what I wanted, I was a failure.  As the class went on, I did what I could but ended up quitting just over the half way mark.  I stood on the sidelines trying to regain my composure and taking a good look around.  It was a place where people were putting all they had out on the line, with no cares how they looked, how much they sweat, or how fast they went.  As I watched, I started to change my thinking.  When the end of class came, the inspirational message at the end of class made me feel a little better inside.  The sense of family, health and happiness was hard to ignore.  As I walked away that day I told myself that during the next class I was  going to try just a little bit harder, last a few minutes longer.  

For the first few weeks of the program I struggled, I got nervous an hour before I left, I struggled to complete the workouts, I felt like my body was going to fall apart, but I didn't quit.  I pushed a little more each day.  I finally started walking away from each class feeling like things were changing, the feeling of being able to do things I couldn't a short while before made me satisfied and happy.  I became the annoying wife, describing in detail all the amazing things (normal for most people) that I could do.  I could keep up to the back of the group when we ran, I could do a few push-ups in a row, I didn't feel like life was ending after each activity we tried!  

At the start of the 6 week session I would have bet money that I would be a Bootcamp dropout, lead an unhealthy lifestyle forever and make life decisions that made no sense.  It didn't end that way at all, I wasn't even finished the first session when I had signed up for the next, praised them whenever I had the chance, and realized my body had magically started to transform in very little time. Aside from dropping a pant size, I gained confidence and began to promote a more positive image of myself.  Things were still not perfect, but overall things were looking up.  

It is amazing how the support from others, friends, family and strangers can make you change your view of the world.  I truly believe that finding this one activity I enjoyed put me in a better place, a physically and mentally improved version of myself.  It is amazing what 6 weeks can do for person.  

How would you change if you gave yourself 6 weeks to focus on yourself and step out of your comfort zone?





Monday 27 May 2013

A reflection of myself

There is no truer reflection of yourself, then the honest words and actions of your child. As scary as this fact may be, it is the truth.

When I was eleven I assumed that everyone grew up, got married and had children.  When I was twenty one I still carried this belief.  I'm lucky I found a great man to marry and we produced two little sweethearts, but looking back, I still can't tell you why I personally wanted to have kids.

Kids change your life, they not only alter your habits but your personality as well!  Good or bad, children manage to provide large doses of love, excitement and frustration to your life.  Children bring creativity, excitement and magic back into the picture in large doses.  Children also are great mirrors.

I am a very proud Mom and have a feeling of success when people praise my children for their kindness, generosity and manners they exhibit in public.  I'm proud that between Darren, myself and our family and friends, we have managed to teach these two little beings how to respect and care for other people's feelings and belongings.

It is when the true reflections come out when I realize that all the quirks, annoyances and bad habits they have are also learned and developed by us as well.  The messy bedroom syndrome is totally my doing...how can I expect them to keep their room clean when I have the habit of dropping things where ever I please?  Why do I expect them not to ask for snacks right after dinner when they see me sneaking into the cupboard for square of chocolate?  Why do I expect them to not tease each other when my main form of communication is largely based on sarcasm?  I'm thanking this mirror effect right now...I've just come to the realization that usually my anger and frustration with them is because they are exhibiting traits I dislike about myself.

I guess a little reflection never hurt anyone...here is to creating two happy, healthy, caring individuals while improving myself along the way!

 

Sunday 26 May 2013

The 11 year old me.

There is nothing better than the feeling of seeing or doing something for the first time. Babies, toddlers and preschoolers see the world as something new every day.  As we get older we lose the wonder, the magic and the excitement.  I have decided to embrace my inner child, and to reflect on my current life based on my 11 year old self.

At 11, my life revolved around school, talking on the phone, hanging out with friends and attempting to be active.  I loved to sit on the swings and enjoy the silence.  I was so excited when I got to bike around the country block by myself.  Successfully spending hours on the phone with friends and not getting interrupted by business calls was a cause for joy.  Improving my skating skills and attempting to keep up to my friends and their sports was a way to pass a lot of the time. 

Age 11 for me was a wonderful time.  I had trust and freedom.  I had no major responsibilities.  I had big ideas that would change the world.  I had aspirations of greatness.  I had dreams of a perfect future.  I had creativity.  By 12, reality began to set in.

At age 11 I dreamed of a future where I could talk on the phone where ever and when ever I wanted...in my car, at the store, riding my bike in a park.  I actually don't know anyone who didn't think this was a good idea at the time.  My 11 year old self would be overjoyed to know that I not only can make and take calls anywhere, there really isn't anything my phone can't do or help me do!

At age 11 I wanted to hang out with my friends 24/7, heading home after a play date or hanging up the phone to go to bed was so disappointing.  My 11 year old self would be amazed that I can hold multiple conversations with friends on many platforms any time of the day, regardless of distance between us or time spent apart.

At age 11 I wanted to run the 1500m race at track and field, play volleyball on the school team, have a perfect skating routine and bike anywhere I wanted to.  For most of my life this didn't seem very realistic.  With a push from people I love, my 11 year old self would be proud to know I play whatever sport I want to, I can run for long distances, my golf game isn't half bad and I'm currently in the best shape of my life.

At age 11 I wanted to be a guidance counselor, be married and have 2 kids.  I'm pretty confident my 11 year old self would be proud of me for making those dreams come true.

I think I'm going to harness my inner 11 year old  and imagine some more crazy inventions, set some new goals and  dream some new dreams...although you never know what the future holds, without a destination it is kind of hard to jump on the path!





Saturday 25 May 2013

Who am I?

Who am I?  A question that I have reflected on at many points in my life.  Who we become is based on so many events, factors and influences that pinpointing the source is virtually impossible.

When I was a child, my definition of myself was based on the values shared by my family members.  Activities and events beyond my control helped to shape my interests, the way I spent my time and the social activities I participated in.  As a child, our parents try hard to get us involved, interest us in activities and to teach values they think we need to thrive.  At this point I had not yet had a chance to discover who I was.

As a teenager, my definition of myself was based on my friends.  Although my family was always there for me, as a teen, the opinions and attitudes of my friends held more weight.  Actions, involvement and decisions were made based upon what was cool, acceptable and expected.  As a teenager my activities and involvement was dictated by the peer group I associated with at the time.  At this point I was too busy trying to fit in to discover who I was.

As a young adult, my definition of myself was based on expectations of my chosen path.  Although friendship and family was still important in my life, there were big expectations to complete schooling for my given career, to settle down and to focus on the rest of my life.  I was too busy studying, working, and securing a mate that I never had a chance to discover who I was.

As a young married woman, my definition of myself was based on the expectations of a wife.  Now friendship, family, and a career were important, but so was the desire to be a good wife and to create a solid future for my family.  With the focus on doing everything right, and in the right time frame, I didn't have a chance to discover who I was.

As a young mother, my definition of myself was based on the expectations of being a provider.  Friendship, family, a career, a marriage were all still important, but the need to provide for others 24/7 was an unavoidable fact.  I was too busy "doing it all" that I never had the time to discover who I was.

After a few bouts of depression I decided something had to be done Thanks to the amazing support of my husband, my children, family and friends, I put myself on the path to figure out Who I am.  I'm hoping my journey can be an inspiration to others.