30. Starting Fresh on a Monday Morning

A version of this quote appeared on my Instagram feed this morning.  And I’ve been thinking about it ever since.  The fact is, this quote appeared at precisely the time I’ve been starting to think about routines and schedules, and how the new school year is going to look for all of since, since it all starts next week.

This summer, I spent more time than ever up north.  And I loved every minute of it.  While we were relaxed, we still had a loose routine that we followed every day.  Unfortunately for me, that routine also included at least one drink at night, and more often than not at least one sugary treat a day.  I told myself that I felt good.  And that I was finally learning to relax and to let go.

But the truth is, whether the alcohol, or the sugar, or whatever vice it is that you might fall back on, is organic and non-GMO, that doesn’t mean it’s “healthy” or particularly “good for you”.

The Husband and I had a wedding to go to yesterday.  As I was getting ready, I tried on one of my dresses.  And it was tight.  Unpleasantly so, and it didn’t look good.  And it dawned on me, really and truly dawned on me, that I don’t feel particularly good either.  Sure, I’ve been working out fairly regularly, even if it hasn’t been lifting heavy weights, and sure, I’ve been eating ok . . . but no amount of working out and eating “ok” can undo days on end of a drink or two at night coupled with dessert.

I thought I wanted to let loose a bit, and that it would make me feel better.  But the truth is, in the end, I don’t feel any better at all.  I have less energy, I feel bigger, and I don’t particularly like it.  (Yes, I also feel disappointment in myself for allowing myself to fall down this particular rabbit hole as well).

Perhaps if I had stuck to what i KNOW to be true (I FEEL amazing when I stick to a diet that doesn’t really include sugar or alcohol) I wouldn’t be left feeling the way I do this morning.

Look, over the years as my body had changed shape (yes, I did loose quite a bit of weight along the way), I’ve had lots of questions about how I did it.  The honest truth is, no sugar and little to no alcohol.  No. It doesn’t sound like a lot of fun.  And yes, I do like to have the occasional drink.  But the honest to goodness truth is . . . the way you feel when you’re not regularly drinking or eating sugar is SO MUCH BETTER than the temporary let-down you get from that hit of sugar or the drink of wine.

Ok . . . so how is any of this bringing me any joy right now???  Well . . . it’s Monday.  And while every day is a chance to start again, Mondays seem particularly well-suited to the concept of starting fresh.  And so, starting today, I will revert to the eating plan that I KNOW works for me.  And I consequently KNOW that in a few weeks time, I will be feeling much better – much more like my lighter, more energized self.  I hope this morning brings you some joy in the knowledge that you can choose today to start fresh with something you KNOW to be true so that you will FEEL better.  xoxo.