Finding Contentment

Nothing snaps you back in the reality like stepping on the scale.  Today after my workout I ended it with my weekly weigh in.  I could feel my entire body seize as I stepped on the scale.  The air flew out of my body, as if it would secretly decrease the scale if I wasn’t breathing.  The scale can be a vengeful lover.  The good news is I am down 2.2lbs, which is awesome!  It’s the first step in my goal to lose 10lbs in the next 30 days (I choose to lose weight in intervals with small goals v a giant goal). 

As I sat there looking at my weight and calculating what I needed to do, suddenly I could hear the voice of my Yoga instructor Cindy in my head, “Find contentment.”  During my Yoga Flow II class last night at Cindy’s Kava Yoga Studio she had us focus on finding contentment in our practice v searching for fulfillment in achieving the poses.  In life we’re often focused on the goals and the sense of accomplishment/victory it brings us. 

We become myopic in our life zeroing in on the goals.  If we only focus on the road in front of us, we miss the wonder around us and the experience it brings.  I wondered if the focus on getting my exercise down and the scale could suck the happiness in the experience of these activities. 

How does one find contentment in living healthier?  How does one enjoy healthy eating or exercise while working towards a goal?  Simple.  Make it an event!  Look at a healthy diet and exercise a party.  Instead of groaning, “Ugh, I have to work out!” change the thought process.  If you're groaning about exercising find the contentment.  Is there a type of exercise you enjoy?  when are you happiest during exercise?  On days I'm groaning I look to the things that bring me happiness like swiming or Yoga or Boxing.  Nothing like a good punching session to find contentment and fun! 

Happiness on this journey allows this to be an enjoyable experience, while I work up to these goals.  It keeps me more connected to the work I'm doing ensuring I don't turn back.  I’m choosing to find the contentment in the process.  I’m stopping to smell the roses along this journey.  It allows me to enrich this experience, which ultimately will help me maintain these healthy activities.  By focusing only on the destination we will forget how to get there.

Today’s Food (kind of naughty) –

Breakfast – Strawberries

Lunch – Half a baked chicken breast, spoon full of mashed potatoes, and spoonful of macaroni and cheese

Dinner – Too full to eat after my larger lunch

Snacks – two chocolate chip cookies, banana, and a JELLO Pudding Cup

Today’s Exercise:

20 Minute Power Walk with Milo

10 Minute Home Boxing

10 Minute stair climbing routine

20 Minute Yoga/Pilates Abs

Today’s Treat:  Improv class!!!

Today’s what I like about me:  I enjoy how sometimes my hair can be curly and other times straight.  It makes it fun to change it up.