Motivation
A friend of mine told me that if you can do something (or not do something) for 21 days straight, it will form a habit, and you will continue doing (or not doing) whatever it is. I’m not sure if this is fact, but I still like the idea of it, and decided to try it out for myself. On December 1st I stopped drinking sodas. I did this for a variety of reasons. I was drinking way too many of them, they were ruining my teeth, etc. I figured if I could keep to this until Christmas, I would be good to go.
I’m happy to say that it didn’t take me but about a week to get used to it. I was drinking lemonade and juice instead, so I could still have some sweetness and flavor in my beverages, but I have since stopped drinking that stuff too, for the most part. I will drink sodas when I am at a restaurant, because their water always sucks, and their lemonade is bad, and I don’t like tea. But I don’t over indulge on them, and I don’t want to go home and drink more. I’m pretty proud of myself. There was a time when I didn’t think I would ever be able to give them up.
So, since then a lot has happened aside from that. However, I have also lost a considerable amount of weight. The jeans I normally wear are a size too big, but now they are so loose on me that when I actually looked at myself in the mirror, I looked kind of ridiculous. I won’t be long until I can fit into my old pants that I haven’t worn in like 2 years (I tried them on the other day and they were barely too tight!). I can also see a significant difference in my face and body. Needless to say, this has given me quite a bit of encouragement.
It’s funny how something as small as losing a few pounds can be such a big motivator. I guess I just feel a little more confident now. So I have started taking better care of myself. I actually blow-dried my hair the other day. It has been years since I did that (I usually let it air dry). It’s amazing what a difference it made, though, in taming my wild mane — it has been so long that I forgot, I guess. I should do it more often!
I have not been sleeping as much either. Going to bed later and waking up earlier and not really missing the sleep. I have actually woken up so early this past week that I have been going in to work an hour early! In light of this new development, I have decided to join a gym. Since doing yoga in my living room is not really an option right now, this is going to be better. I can wake up early and hit the gym before work. I am looking forward to this for a few reasons. Obviously because working out is a good idea, but it also makes me feel great afterward. Plus, it will give me some alone time, which I very much need.
All of the crazy things going on in my life right now have made me realize that I need to take care of myself, first and foremost. Six years ago I made a big change in my life because I realized that I could not please everyone, and I needed to do what was right for myself. And then I went and got myself right back into the whole "doing everything for everyone except me" routine. This time I am not going to make that mistake again. This time I am older, and wiser, and I am going to take care of myself. It’s like I need to reintroduce me to myself all over again. Hi Kelley, I’m Kelley, remember me? Yeah, I think so. It’s been while. I missed you.