Normally, there's nothing really remarkable about the month of July. It's usually just a hot month between June and August, and ultimately, marks the pending end of summer, as we anticipate cooler temperatures in the fall. At least that's what it's been for me! Not this year, however. A few weeks ago, my sister finally married her fiance, Ken, on one of the hottest days in Midwest history and more recently, I've returned from my second, and incredibly phenomenal Success School (more about that coming soon!)!
I had been doing really well leading up to Katie's wedding. I just finished AdvoCare Lean in 13, which is a short-term program designed to bust through a plateau in between detox's every 90 days. During the 13 days, I lost 7lbs, mostly during the first 9 days! The last 4 days I slacked off a bit, due to just my own laziness, but still did really well! I realized that I needed to go shopping again because my clothes were all getting very very loose! Initially I was nervous about the wedding because I was one of 7 bridesmaids in my sisters wedding, all wearing the same dress - ACK!!!! I knew I had trimmed down a lot since the last fitting and was confident that I would look just as good in that dress as my very thin cousins that were also in the wedding.
Between Lean and 13, and the wedding, was the Bachorette Party. I thought I could get away with letting myself go since I had done so well the previous two weeks, and it wouldn't really make a difference. Wrong. The dress fit, but it was tighter than it had been in a long time. The pizza I had left it's mark, and I didn't want people to see how upset I was, so I held it in until the next day. I didn't want to take the day away from my sister.
What I learned however, was that when you're changing habits, and starting a new lifestyle, you can't have "days off" or "cheat days". Even using those terms indicates that the new habit you're creating are obligatory, and you're only doing them because you have to. They aren't fun, and if you could have it any other way, you would. That mindset isn't sustainable.
When saying that, I'm not saying that you can't ever indulge, or having foods that maybe aren't so great for you. What I am saying, is that eating healthy, and living actively should be something that, not only comes naturally, but is enjoyable. If it's not, as soon as the accountability falls away, so does your drive to keep going. It also diminishes your ability to encourage other people who are where you have been, and are trying to make the same changes you are. If you still live for your cheat days, how can you encourage other people to stick to the new healthy habits they're working hard to create?
When it comes down to it, why are you trying to get healthy? Are you doing so out of fear or obligation? Or are you doing so so you can enjoy a better quality of life and inspire others? I know why I am, and I also know I want to help others do the same thing!
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