more often than not

I've gained 5 pounds since my last post. I think.

Granted, I weighed myself this evening on a full stomach -- two no-nos, and even though I accurately predicted the reading on the scale, it was still an eye opener. Granted, we did just get back from a cruise just in time for Thanksgiving. I've tried to be good, really I have.

But good ain't cuttin' it anymore.

The truth is, I think I'm going to need to pull out all the stops. And by all the stops, I think I'm going to need to food journal. To carry around an unsuspecting looking notebook in my purse and log every morsel and crumb I put in my mouth. I think it will help a lot. I've compiled a list of healthy habits that won't hurt, too.

Ever since the 5th or 6th grade, I've been asking people with great bodies how they do it. When we were younger, it was because I went through puberty quicker than everyone else. Then it become a little genetics, but mostly eating habits and exercise. By now, I know what works for my own body, too. I've just found ways to make excuses like these:

It's not good to work out consecutive days. I need to let my muscles relax.

If I don't eat this piece of chocolate, I will end up eating more because I deprived myself.

I'm too tired.

Woe is me that I have to work all day and work out.

It's too cold outside.

I don't want to have to take another shower.

It's a special occasion. I can indulge just this once.

So here's the plan. No more excuses. I don't care that I should have started yesterday, and I'm certainly not going to wait until the New Year. Here are some healthy habits I'm going to implement into my life starting now.

1. Eat mostly whole foods. Think twice before putting something processed into my body.
2. Eat smaller portions full of nutrients. Stop eating when I'm not hungry.
3. Plan my eating and exercising for the week (with room to fudge -- no pun intended. Okay maybe a little pun intended.)
4. Drink more water. Much more. Less non-water drinks.
5. Exercise at least five times a week formally, and everyday informally. Use my lunch break wisely.
6. Try to run outdoors three times a week. This is the secret weapon. JT is buying me some special running tights to ring in winter (even though it was in the 70s today). Yes, I will be one of those women who wear shorts over tights.

That's it, I think. I will add more as I think of them. I will not deprive or burn myself out. Those words don't belong in my vocabulary. And I will keep in mind that I have so much more incentive than numbers on a scale or my appearance, because obviously those things don't alarm me enough.

I want to remember how I feel this exact second in time:

swollen + indigestion + bloated + lethargic+hopeful

Hopefully when I make decisions about my health and lifestyle, I will remember this feeling and choose wisely more often than not.