New Year….New Beginnings

We’re now twelve days into the new year and, as every year for me, it’s time for following up on learned (positive) behaviors and hope that the new year allows me to gain more insight and practice new patterns. This holiday season was especially difficult for me for many reasons (unemployed, marriage dissolving and the winter blahhhs), but I was able to pull through and hold my own and still lose a staggering 8 pounds in the process! As each year begins, we review the previous year in hopes that we learn from our mistakes and hope that the new year will bring new positive opportunities for change.

During all of this, I had (yet another) change of attitude and feel that I’m coming to terms with some issues that were holding me back this past year. For one, I’m really trying to focus on what I have, rather than what I don’t have. This change happened when I talked with my sister-in-law who is currently going through treatment for breast cancer. If there’s ever a need to change your perspective, I’ve learned to talk with someone who has had a tough time (of any kind of situation) and who has come through it with flying colors and a positive attitude to boot. I spoke with my sister-in-law the day before Christmas — I was here and my husband was with his family and I felt the need just to lay low and ponder my current relationship situation. After talking with my sister-in-law, I realized that each minute of life is just a passing moment and how important it is to make each moment/day/week/month count. While the change doesn’t have to be major, it’s the process of wanting to change that does matter. After a while, it seems it all catches up with each other and, suddenly, there’s a major “big bang” that happens and all of those changes (or thoughts of changes) seem to come together and suddenly, they aren’t just a “thought” or a “hope” of a change — it just IS a new way of life. Whether this be an attitude, behavior or thought process, taking time to build up the “want” of change in your life will, eventually, come to fruition….it just may take longer for you than others, but just know if you work on wanting to change, the change will happen. Think of it as a bank account — the more you deposit, the more interest you’ll gain and, eventually, see just how much you’ve saved up for whatever you were saving for…..

This year, I feel, will be one of change. I’ll have a new job, new title and new living arrangement. That’s what I’m projecting and that’s my new bank account. Take baby steps…..don’t give up when you fall…..keep depositing to those things you want to change and the change will happen. In my opinion, the worst thing anyone can do is nothing. Being stagnant and wanting something without doing the footwork or making the effort won’t get you to your final goal.

If you’re struggling with your weight, trying to make changes and feeling as if you’re stuck, try to make ONE change this week — whether it be in your thinking about yourself (and letting go of a negative thought) or actually making a physical change in your behavioral pattern — take that baby step to get the ball rolling. Next week, add to what you’ve started….and the week after and the week after that. By the end of the month, you will have done and added to the change and, surprisingly, it won’t be a “wish” of a change any longer, but it will actually become a part of who you are. Start simple, build on the idea and continue to focus and work with that one idea. You may surprise yourself of what you’re capable of. The first hurdle of making the change is to KNOW you can do it — believe in yourself…..believe that you CAN change…..believe that you are WORTH the work to have the (final) change.

I know I may be preaching to the choir (for some of you), but, for others who may be in the rut of a New Year’s Panic (holy crap, it’s a new year and I’m just as I was last year — why aren’t I different??)….relax…take a deep breath, make a list of what you want to carry out and go from there. It doesn’t have to be a big change — work small and go from there. Once you get the hang of it, it will be easier to do. Just as I thought I was going to be in a funky mood over Christmas, a phone call to one person made me recognize what change I wanted to make and I made it. Instead of sitting around and having a pity party for myself, I grabbed another friend and visited multiple friend’s houses on Christmas day and it was a blast! I needed to change an old pattern of behavior and I took the risk (not knowing how I’d feel after the process) and just made the change. It turned out to be one of the best Christmas’s I’ve spent in years and I knew the people I was with wanted me to be with them, I was happy to be there and, in the end, I was one happy camper!

As for my exercise program — I’m still working on it….I’ve added a personal trainer one day a week and am finding I have way more muscle and areas I haven’t used in years! It’s all good — and the 33 pounds that I packed on over the spring and summer are finally gone and I’m at a place where I haven’t been in over 30 years — go figure. Ahhhh, the joys of a good fill — thank you Dr Ganta!

May all of you find your joy in change this new year — it’s scary, for sure, but so worth it!

Dawn