I’m trying to make some big hairy changes in my life.
If you’ve read this blog for any length of time, you know that weight is an issue for me. I go up, I go down. I struggle. But this is my “Just keep swimming” year. I have been seeing a counselor who is helping me get at some of the habits I have in life that are keeping me from living the way that God designed me to.
It sounds all healthy and empowering. But sometimes, it gets just plain overwhelming. So my counselor, Julie, has been having me focus on just a couple of things at a time. One of those things? Not being on the computer at all hours so I can get to bed at a decent time and wake up in the morning without an Internet hangover.
And it’s been working. For the most part, I have been getting off the computer at 7 PM and it has helped a lot. Except in the area of blogging.
I’m so used to staying up late and blogging that I don’t even think about it until around 8 PM when I think, “YIKES, I didn’t blog again!!!” And then I would be super tempted to do it, just this once, and promise to start blogging during the day tomorrow. (Promise, really – just this one time.)
But I knew it wouln’t be just this once. And I knew that if I did it one night, it would be so much easier to do it again the next night, and then instead of building a habit of turning off my computer at 7:00, I was building a habit of not taking great care of myself.
So I didn’t blog. And I missed you.
But I started to build a habit. A good habit. Not a habit that all of you need to build. Just a habit that works for me. And today, I thought – I want to blog before I turn off my computer – not as a punishment, but because I missed you.
Totally worth it.
Are there any areas of your life where you’re trying to build a new habit? I would love to hear how you are building health into your life.
Hi Kathi – I have loved reading your blog! And I so relate to the weight thing. Up. Down. Up. Down. Not a huge amount, but still the feeling that the ‘food’ thing was controlling me instead of vice versa. My new healthy plan started with Lysa Terkeurst book ‘Made to Crave’: Sastisfying your Deepest Desire with God, not Food’. Wow- what an eye opener for this Jesus-girl! For me it was so much deeper than just eating healthy. I wish you well on your journey…one good choice at a time 🙂 Looking forward to hearing more from you during daylight hours 🙂
Whoa. You know when God hits you in the face several times in the same day about the same thing? Yup, that’s me! I have been determined to work on some healthy changes to my life, and I do the same thing, hop back on the computer after the kids go to bed. Then I lose track of time, it’s 10pm, my husband has fallen asleep on the sofa with the tv on, and I still have things to do before I can get into the bed. I think I’ll use these next 21 days to make another NEW habit!
I can so relate to what you said Kathi. I have struggled with weight more years than I want to admit. So when I turned 50 last year I decided it was time to take control of my life…or better yet, let go of trying to control everything and put it in God’s hands. So this year is all about me…taking better care me. But also going beyond a physical makeover…to a real spiritual makeover. Finding balance in my life and letting God take the lead instead of me telling God what I want to do.
I can relate w/ Carol Cool w/ having an autoimmune disorder and knowing that excise will help w/ it. I think about doing it all the time and then don’t. Will recently I told myself when I think about then I need to Just Do It!! Guess what I did this morning jog/walk a mile!!
Another thing I struggle with is getting to bed at a decent hour. So hear is to setting a goal to going to bed before 11pm instead 2am.
Dear, dear Kathi…
I am so moved by your post. Wow, I understand that’s tough stuff you’re dealing with…after struggling for more years than I care to count, I lost 60 pounds and have kept them off for 30 years.You are brave to decide to take… and then follow through with… such positive action! That’s success right there, with more to come! Hear that clapping? That’s me applauding you! And please…no guilt for no blog. Go, Kathi, go!
I enjoy your posts whenever they appear. So, enjoy your new, good habits.
This past week my thoughts have turned to gaining a better sense of balance in my life. The things at hand – eating more vegetables, drinking more water, and turning off the computer & TV so that I go to bed at a decent hour. I have also been fixated on changing my hair. In some ways I am moving toward a mini life makeover of sorts. Each day brings about small tweeks and changes because I want it to last as opposed to being some random impulsive idea that fades away quicker than a new years resolution.
Yay for you…that is awesome…you go girl! I completely agree…some times the good things keep us from the great things and He has so many great things in store for you. Rest up, blog when you can, and know that we are cheering you on every step of the way! ~ Melissa 🙂
Good girl!!
Yay for you! I say taking care of yourself FAR outweighs blogging!!!
Certainly understandable. Anything that helps you in learning good habits to keep a healthy lifestyle is good. Even if you have to stay away from blogging.
I wish you lots of luck with keeping your weight in check.
Good for you, girl!!
Love all the healthy stuff going on here! Wow Carol – for you it really was “just keep swimming”. Peta – I will check out the blog tomorrow!!!
Kathi, because of my autoimmune disease, I know I need exercise, but I can’t get it by talking a walk since the disease affects my ankles. So I have been going to the rec center to walk in the water, but for the last six months I have not been too consistent. Two weeks ago I added weight training and told myself I had to schedule it and call it therapy so that I would make it a priority. It seems to be helping me get there and subsequently to have more energy. Next up is getting to bed earlier (and off the computer earlier).
Love your honesty, Kathy. I lost my Mum in December, and I am so grateful for the internet and really getting in touch with her over the past 3-4 years after many years of estrangement. We emailed back and forth and sent photos and finally got to know one another. So I am determined to put down the glass of wine & book or turn off the TV in the evening and BLOG for my family. We live so far away that this is my way to show I love them and I care.