Write the Best Book for 2019!

Do you make New Year’s resolutions?

I used to. Then I found myself never keeping them. The problem is, I would make resolutions that were nearly impossible, or not desirable, to keep.

I would make the same one as everyone else, lose weight. I would exercise more, doing really well, and then I would just stop. So I stopped making weight loss a resolution. And then I discovered why resolutions don’t work, at least for me. I would make resolutions I hated! In order to have a successful resolution, you have to be committed to it. Just like anything in life, if you want it, you will make it happen. Until then, it won’t happen.

Such is weight loss. I won’t have to make that resolution this year, because I finally wanted it to happen and am committed to it! I have been determined to get “back to me” since the end of May. I have, as of today, lost 27 pounds and 10 ounces. No, I don’t take anything to lost weight. I believe in the old fashioned way, losing it on my own. I gained it on my own.

I have downsized portions at meals. After a period of time, I noticed I didn’t want to eat more, I was full. I think my body adjusted to my eating habits. If you eat a lot, your body wants a lot. But if you eat less, your body wants less. I increased the amount of vegetables I eat a day. I love veggies! In the summer when we have our garden in full swing, I am in heaven! I have fresh veggies at my fingertips! I eat them all day! I have also increased the amount of protein I eat. Protein is very good for you and it is filling as well. I love hard boiled eggs and there are 5 grams of protein in each egg. I eat them almost daily. My favorite meats are chicken and salmon, which are very good when dieting too! We never fry anything. Eating fried foods is so unhealthy for people. We grill all summer long and in the winter we bake or use the air fryer. We also eat homemade soups in the winter. I make my own broth to add to soups, using our homegrown herbs. Canned broth is so full of sodium! I will never buy that again. I have also learned to make creamed soups. I don’t do it as often as I should, but I am working on it. I am already looking forward to summer and the garden! Thankfully, we still have many frozen veggies from the garden still in the freezer. Green beans are my favorite! My weakness is not sweets. I have never been one to eat sweets. I like chips, crackers, anything salty. I just pointed out how bad that is for people. So, I quit eating them. I only have a cheat day when we take the boat out fishing. We take snacks along. Chips and crackers seem to just jump in the fishing bag I pack! Other than that, I never eat them. You can’t eat the chips and expect to lose weight. Menopause has not been my friend. I have struggled for years now, not sleeping all night and that seemed to lead to more eating. I finally have a handle on it and I feel so much better.

I also exercise. But, I don’t kill myself doing it. Losing weight is 80% diet and 20% exercise. I focus a lot on the 80%. I do pushups, weights and squats. I also enjoy yoga. I don’t pay for exercise, I look up videos on youtube. I also love to walk all summer long! Here it is the last day of 2018 and it is not exactly walking weather. That is what I have a treadmill for. I have to say, I don’t really enjoy the treadmill. It is very boring. 30 minutes seem to last forever!

I have about 10 pounds to go and I will be back to the girl I used to know. I knew if I didn’t lose the weight now, it wasn’t likely to happen. I am not getting any younger. The older you are, the harder it is to lose weight.

But, I was determined. I have grandkids to play with. I love running and playing with Peeps and Rowen! Losing weight has made it so much easier, and I am much more agile. We are expecting another grandchild in June! Nene and Papa are so excited! Nene plans to keep on dieting and playing with the grandkids! I don’t want to be on the floor playing and I can’t get up!

No, I don’t make resolutions. I believe in living life one day at a time, enjoying every minute, doing what is right for me. If I want to change something about me, I will. And I have. The rest of my life has been a huge blessing. I have a wonderful husband, a beautiful daughter, a terrific son-in-law and of course, the grandkids Peeps and Rowen, whom we adore! They are the light of our lives!

I saw this somewhere today and fell in love with it! My goal for 2019 and every year after.

Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one. 

Happy New Year everyone. Stay safe and warm tonight!