Baby Steps: Advocare Day 6

As day 6 of our 24 Day Challenge is about to start, I have a few things to reflect upon...


I've had a few slips, with late night snacking, the last two days. I've always been a night owl and so late night snacking has been a habit that has always been part of my life. I must admit though, it is much better than in years past. My snacks have involved popcorn without salt or butter and another night was trail mix (only 4 M&Ms) that included peanuts, sunflower seeds, and raisins. While I probably shouldn't have added the late night food, nevertheless the extra calories, I've realized that I shouldn't try to change everything about myself at once.

As human beings we all have faults. I myself have many. I also have many things I would like to change about myself and certain habits I would like to break and some I would like to start. What I am discovering however, is that we should not try to change and add everything all at once. The biggest example for me right now is exercise. While I love to exercise, I have not yet added it to my 24 Day Challenge. I was kind of beating myself up about it but I've realized that I have already made a lot of changes to my life in a short time: changed to more healthy eating habits and staying between 1800-2000 calories a day; working a business; devoting more time to studying for school; full time college student; and doing a 24 Day Challenge. So the question becomes, “how much is too much?”


While I originally started to be down on myself for not working out and having some extra snacks, I realized that I've had all these things going on and that if I were to try and work out, my body might not work so well at the moment. I haven't been sleeping well and my body is overwhelmed with illnesses and trying to take care of my fiance who just had surgery. Working out would benefit me in the long run but would it be harmful to start adding more responsibility and guilt to my life at this point? Probably. How do I know? Because I have been here before. Trying to add too much change at once leads me to go back to my old habits and feel defeated.


So how do I plan to move forward? I plan to continue as is first of all. I'm continuing my healthy eating habits and my 24 Day Challenge and of course continuing with my class schedule as is. However, I'm going to take a few days to let my body rest and relax and get over whatever sickness keeps ailing me. Once I get my body back to full functioning, then I can add some workout goals into my life. I already know what my plan of action will be; I just need to get my mind and body in a place where I am strong enough to add it into my daily life. This applies to every aspect of our lives.


Why are we so obsessed with having everything right now? With complete change this very moment? Real change takes time. It takes days that turn into weeks; weeks that turn into months; months that turn into years; and years that turn into a lifetime of commitment and dedication to the life we want to live and the habits we want to keep.


I don't know how much weight or how many inches I will lose on this challenge, but I'm finally okay with that. I'm starting to feel better as the days go by, and I'm realizing that even the small changes are producing effects; not major effects immediately, but I can see and feel them as time goes by. I don't need a six pack in six months. But what I do need is to create a lifestyle that will help me be happy, healthy, and energized for the things I love to do. I'm more successful taking it one step at a time that I ever was changing everything all at once.