My new Frenemy (is that how you spell it?)

(Just ignore the children:)

As I mentioned in my previous post, one of my new goals for this year is to get myself into better shape! The two areas that I am focusing on to accomplish this goal are eating better and actually doing some cardio once in a while.

Everyone is at different levels, stages, and ages. What will work for me might not work for you and vice versa. One thing women especially are prone to do is compare their body with someone else's body! That can work to your advantage (if you are looking at someone who is in worse shape than you) or disadvantage (in my case if I am comparing myself to a size 2 teenager who hasn't had 3 kids!). The point is - Don't compare your body to anyone else! Everybody has different builds. You know better than anyone else what a realistic goal for yourself is. Set your goal and STICK to it!

Now I don't know about you, but I can always find a way to justify eating a brownie or skipping a day of cardio. That is why I have to think through and know exactly what my "rules" are before I start. This year I have started a no white sugar or flour diet. I am not allowed to eat any foods or drinks that contain sugar or white flour, ie., rolls, cake, cookies, cereals, white rice, sweet tea, etc... To me this diet focuses on the quality of the food I am eating and not so much on the quantity. Fresh and cooked fruits and veggies, whole grain breads and pastas, dairy, lean meats and fish are all things that I will be eating. My goal is to do this for 6 weeks. I am allowing myself one day a week to eat whatever I want (for me that will be chocolate in any form I can find it). I am also allowing myself one teaspoon of sugar a day for my coffee. (tried it without and couldn't do it) I started my six weeks this past Saturday, and I have already SEEN some results and the first week isn't even over!

The other part of my 6 week "campaign" is cardio. I have set the goal for myself of 30 minutes a day, 5 times a week. Like I said before, everyone is at different levels. You know what will work best for you. Be realistic. Think about what areas you want to improve in, set a specific time frame and make up your own "rules"!

When you finish your 6 weeks or whatever time frame you choose to do, REWARD yourself for sticking with it. Go out to eat, buy a new outfit, do something fun!

Everyone could probably use a little encouragement when it comes to taking better care of our bodies. I hope that reading this has inspired you in some way. Feel free to leave any motivational comments you have below;)