The first quarter of 2016 is almost in the books and I did a little check-in with myself on how I’m doing with some of my goals. As I continue through my health journey I enjoy looking back periodically to be thankful for how I’ve grown so far and excited for the future. I’m pretty sure this is the type A in me but I call it a zen and spiritual practice and I try to keep in grounded in gratitude instead of type A perfectionism. Because I recognize that perfection is unattainable so why give myself such an unreachable goal? I started this practice only about a year ago when things sort of took off for me. My thoughts became super healthy and my body image shifted and I just genuinely started liking myself and that all happened without me realizing it which made me sad because I want to be experiencing the highs and lows of this journey. I numbed out to life for so long and I don’t want to be numb anymore, so I needed a way to be present through all of this. Quarterly check-ins were my response. While I’d love to be present every single day, that’s not my default so it’ll take time. I’m a creature of habit so there are still days when I run on auto pilot and just go through the motions but I’m trying to stop that.
Anyways, quarterly check-ins take various shapes. I take tons of pictures and it has nothing to do with vanity, it’s because I need to see the changes – you know, pics or it didn’t happen. In the beginning of this journey, when I was all about the weight loss, I would go through pictures and practice loving that person who was sick and I’d practice being grateful that I somehow managed to pull myself up and take actions. I wouldn’t scrutinize the lumps and bumps, I’d look at the whole and focus on the progress. Eventually my focus shifted to wanting to be a healthier and more interesting person so I still pay attention to weight loss only insomuch as I believe that if I’m treating my body with respect the weight will continue to drop – it’s a marker for my health.
I want to pause here for a second and say that I am in no way saying that being overweight is a sign of unhealthiness. Everybody is different and I 100% believe that it’s possible to be healthy at every size. What I know for my body is that when I treat my body with respect I lose weight and when I don’t, I gain weight. So, for me, body weight is one of many check points that I look at when I’m reviewing my goals and actions.
How often do you take stock of where you are and where you're going? Click To TweetOK, back to what I was saying, I still look at weight loss as an indicator of whether I’m appropriately loving myself but I also consider my actions and how they make me feel. Do I enjoy making my own personal care products or do I find it cumbersome? Am I enjoying contributing to The Book Wheel (the answer is a resounding yes!)? Most recently I’ve checked in with myself about exercise. Am I doing the right exercises that are making me stronger and happier? How about my relationships? Am I giving my all and receiving what I need in return? If I’m going to live my best life then it’s not just about me, I need to be also giving my best self to the people who matter and especially my poor husband who loved me at my worst and now deserves to get me at my best.
These are just some of the things I consider. I’ve also been thinking a ton about what I want moving forward. You may recall that my last next one thing was to start a loving exercise practice and I’m proud to say that I’m doing it! I took an aerial yoga class in January and even managed to flip upside down… on purpose! Since then I’ve tried various types of yoga and I’m also in the middle of a Pilates fundamentals course. Probably unsurprisingly, I’m most drawn to the exercises with a strong mind/body component so I’ve also enjoyed spinning, which I find very meditative albeit torture on my butt, and walking or hiking with my poor husband which is a great time for us to talk and enjoy each other’s company. Through these activities I also get the chance to meet and learn from the most interesting people! I’ve learned about acroyoga which I definitely think I’d like to try one day. I’ve learned about voluntary simplicity, the zero waste movement, and I met some nomads who sold everything that didn’t fit in their backpacks and are now traveling the world and living life. That’s not to say any of this is for me, but maybe it is! That’s the beauty of this; it’s all about the ride.
So I guess I’ll close by saying that my first quarter look-back makes me happy and proud. I continue to live and cultivate my best life and I am full of nothing but excitement for what the future holds. For now, I’m planning to up my yoga routine and hopefully I’ll find a yoga studio that can be my home, instead of hopping from studio to studio. I’m also planning to continue going with my gut in all situations because my gut hasn’t steered me wrong yet.