This photo is of a rock I found in the river valley where I live. I love it when people do curious works of art and leave them for the public to find; it also reminds me of how walking in these trails brings me peace and of an important message my mom often shares with me.
I'm trying to keep my goals realistic so that it's more of a lifestyle change. They are:
- To lose 5-10 pounds, especially around my chest area, so I can fit into my older jackets and shirts again.
- To maintain a low-carb, low-sugar, high-protein (and sometimes high-fat) diet that is delicious. That means finding time to prepare healthy meals and reducing stress in my life so I'm not stress-eating carbs and sugar - a common challenge I face. I think that also involves fast, easy and sometimes even takeout options that are healthy.
- To make a new healthy recipe once a month
- To maintain regular exercise: swimming 1-2 times week with my club and, when I haven't been out late the night before, going for a short run or walk in the morning. I have a desk job and find I feel so much better when I've had a workout - and I know that, when I did this on a regular basis in the past, my weight was at my preferred level.
- Not to be too overzealous - as I still love food (including pasta, cookies and chocolate) and I recognize these things bring me joy.
- Keeping a mental list of other, non-food-related things that bring me joy and reduce my stress. These include: taking a bath; going outside with my cat; reading; going for a long walk; a relaxing yoga class; and watching the occasional good movie or show.
