Well, my first official day of Getting My Shit Together was a bit of a mixed bag.
Actually, it started with complete and utter failure.
Last night I was feeling downright smug about my preparedness. I laid out my workout outfit so I could head out for a walk first thing in the morning. Look at me, I thought. One of those organized people who exercise before sunrise and probably own matching water bottles.
This morning I woke up on time, looked directly at the workout clothes, walked right past them, made coffee, and settled onto the couch for an hour of scrolling my phone and watching HGTV.
Apparently my true athletic calling is competitive sitting.
By the time I drove to work, I was thoroughly disgusted with myself. Not enough to become one of those people who enjoys burpees, obviously, but enough to rally.
By the end of the day, I’d managed to get in over 10,000 steps and completed my first workout video. Granted, it was only 15 minutes long, but considering I was winded putting on a sports bra this morning, I’m counting it as a win.
Progress, not perfection.
If you could have seen me attempting that workout, you would have been cry-laughing.
Picture Amy’s workout scene in Picture Perfect.
Lots of flailing.
Questionable coordination.
Several moments where I wasn’t entirely sure if I was exercising or simply trying to get up off the floor.
At one point I caught my reflection in the television and briefly considered calling for medical assistance.
As for food, I followed my usual pattern of being remarkably responsible while at work.
Breakfast was a protein shake.
Lunch was a burrito bowl.
Look at me making excellent life choices.
Then I came home.
Waiting for me in the pantry were the leftover chips from our recent trip to the mountains.
Now, I normally don’t buy junk food because I know myself. I don’t possess the ability to eat three chips and move on with my life. Once a bag of chips enters my home, it becomes a hostage negotiation.
Unfortunately, I was raised not to waste food.
So really, if you think about it, I was practically performing a public service.
Now let’s talk about where I’m starting.
I’m 5’7″ and 185 pounds.
My goal weight is 135.
More importantly, my goal is to feel healthy again. I want more energy. I want to feel comfortable in my own skin. I want to take my kids to the beach without spending the entire day strategizing how to sit so my stomach folds are less visible.
I want to be in the pictures instead of volunteering to take them.
My hope is that writing here every day will keep me accountable and maybe help someone else feel a little less alone if they’re standing at the bottom of the same mountain wondering how they got there.
Today wasn’t perfect.
But I moved my body.
I drank my protein shake.
I only partially entered into a committed relationship with a bag of chips.
For Day One, I’m calling that a victory.
