A Vision

Back here, I told you that I had something I wanted to share.  This quote is the lead-in:

"Perfectionism is not the same thing as striving to be your best. Perfectionism is not about healthy achievement and growth....Perfectionism is, at its core, about trying to earn approval and acceptance."  Brene Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection

As a recovering perfectionist, I am embracing my imperfections. At the same time, I'm not about to give up striving to be my best. And right now striving means swimming upstream against the current, fighting an uphill battle, trying to beat the odds. And any other metaphor you can think of for basically doing what seems like the impossible.

But I'm determined this time. And I'm doing this for me. Not for anyone else. And I'm doing it for all the right reasons.  And by now you are no doubt wondering what the heck I am rambling on about and wishing I would get to the point.  Here it is.

During September I participated in the Live a Better Life in Thirty Days challenge.  I set some life goals for myself and some shorter term 1-3-5 year goals. And one of my major goals centers around wellness.

I created this layout as my vision of fitness in bits and pieces over the past six weeks. During that same time I've also seen an orthopedist and been in physical therapy for my knees.  The therapy for my knees has aggravated my back issues. It is all a vicious cycle that comes down to the natural aging process combined with being overweight causing me no end of issues. 

My goal stated simply: 
To be fit and fabulous by 50! 

To me "physically fit" is not a specific number on the scale or a specific dress size, although I would like to bring my weight into the range of what is considered healthy for my age and height.  Physically fit is about the ability to be active - to dance, to play, to participate in activities that catch my interest. Physically fit is about making healthy eating choices. Physically fit is about making the most of the life left in my body! It isn't a short term goal that I will reach and then quit - but a lifestyle change that will continue on. And I'm doing it in baby steps. Because I know that is the only way to make changes that will stick long term.

I started with making simple diet changes and lost a few pounds in the first couple of weeks after setting my goals.  Then I found My Fitness Pal and began logging my calories and exercise. In the 35 days that I have been logging in, I have lost another 7 pounds!  By the way, one of the best things about MFP is that it is FREE! ;)

Although I'm still in physical therapy, I have begun doing yoga again - carefully testing out each move and listening to my body to make sure I don't make things worse.  I hope to add some aerobic exercise back soon.

And now I'm holding myself accountable for my goals.  Accountable to me. Accountable to my scale. Accountable to MFP.  And I'm asking for your help too. To keep me motivated. To cheer me from the sidelines. To understand my struggle with sugar addiction when my family just doesn't seem to get it. To put up with my posts about how I am doing.  (I want to borrow an idea from Melissa and do a weekly "healthy living" post).

My 50th birthday is May 29, 2011. On that day, I want to feel good about living in my own skin. I want to celebrate that day knowing that I have done my best and that I am as healthy and as fit as my body will allow. I want to be the butterfly that has shed the cocoon and spreads its wings to the sunlight.