It’s my birthday. I woke feeling full and bloated from several days of Christmas food binges but also knew that I had a day of more eating in front of me with a lunch out (at my favourite local Chinese restaurant) and roast dinner at home with my parents who are currently visiting. All day I felt uncomfortable. Physically, emotionally and mentally. The same stylist friend I wrote about in my last post, put something on Facebook about having a 40th birthday party to go to and getting frocked up… Meanwhile I was relieved after our lunch outing to be able to return to my baggy t-shirt and tracksuit pants for the rest of the day.
Most people are starting to plan their New Year resolutions. I usually skip the resolutions and go for ‘goals’ for the year as I feel that is more sensible and achievable. Of course, if I am truly honest I mean the same thing, but think my more-tangible but lofty ‘goals’ are less cliched than the alternative. But frankly, if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck….
So, here I am, my 43rd birthday almost behind me and although family and friends have been great, I have spent the day thinking of lost opportunities. I just blogged about that very issue in my other (less navel-gazing) blog. And I am tired of it. Tired of hating my life and being stymied by regrets.
So I have (again) decided that it has to stop. I cannot go on like this. I have been struck by this thought many times before and failed on the follow-through; but I have spent much of the day steeling myself for changes. I have been telling myself that I am strong enough to make some serious changes in my life. I do not want to spend another year living in a funk. Blaming my weight for EVERYTHING that is wrong in my life. I do not want to keep putting my life on hold UNTIL I lose weight… and (in so doing) become this perfect person.
Being the natural pessimist that I am, I suspect that I will posting here over coming weeks stressed that I am already not sticking to the diet and making excuses for myself. And frankly, although I know a sustainable healthy eating plan and exercise regime is the way to go, I need some early wins. So, I am going back to the no/low carbs thing. My New Year’s resolutions (aka goals) will start slightly early – on 29 December.
Wrapped (as I am now) in the glow of post-cheesecake, post-red wine consumption, this all seems very achievable. Already I am imagining the slim me that will emerge in no time at all. Colleagues’ jaws will drop in amazement and men will be gobsmacked in wonderment. I can see it now…
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