I'm not sure why the New Year always feels like a fresh start. I'm also not completely sure why THIS year is so different from any other. I decided prior to the start of 2011 that I was going to give up soda, eat healthier, follow portion sizes even on the healthy food, exercise and in general make my family healthier this year. Now, I will tell you, I have probably said that every year for the last 5, but this one is different. I can feel it down in me. I am dedicated, I AM resolved to make healthy changes for life!
With this, I must say I actually started weaning off the soda before the New Year. I started just after Thanksgiving and, even though I hadn't had soda of any kind in almost a week, I had my last Dr Pepper New Year's Eve. It was just kind of symbolic for me. I will tell you I have had a drink of soda since then and gagged. I can't believe I drank that crap all the time for so many years. It was like drinking sugar straight after all the water I've been consuming. I would not sit down and pour sugar down my throat, so why did I drink soda for so long?!?!?! Ah, well, at least that's a thing of the past. After Sunday, when I ordered a soda just because I was out to eat, I will be sure to order a cup of water with my meals. Nothing is healthier for you and nothing else even tastes good to me anymore. Oh and on the super positive side of all this, I have dropped almost 15 pounds since Christmas! Now, as of January 1st I have added the healthier eating, the portion control, and the exercise at least 3 times a week. I am also encouraging my kids to exercise along with the healthy eating and portions.
This is the year to create a whole new me! A year for health, family and a year to get closer to God. The funny thing is, I haven't liked snow since growing up in the tundra of PA, but it snowed here in TX on Sunday and it felt to me like God was saying, "Look at how clean and white the freshly fallen snow is. I am behind you in this." Well, the words aren't coming out the way I want them to on that one, but I did really feel like he was just cementing I have made the right choices for this year! I'm loving it!
