My Biggest Health Mistake: A personal confession

The title sounds like strong words to me, but everyday I have to face the fact that I made a huge health mistake. I receive a daily reminder when I look into the mirror and see my big belly. After 6 weeks of giving birth I should have began my exercise regiment again. I should have started doing crunches, sucking in my tummy, or wearing a belly band.

Although my belly is unflattering to me, because my frame is petite and it is very noticeable. I was really hurt when I went to an amusement park and the ride was stalled because one of the workers was debating whether or not to ask me if I were pregnant. Loudly, one of my family members laughed and said, “No” she just had twins. I laughed too, but cried inside because it had been months and months since I had given birth. The days of fitted tops are long gone for me. And other tops that are too lose give the allusion that I just may be about 5 months preggo.

If I knew, the outcome would have been like this I would have exercised faithfully. Instead, I took my small frame for granted and thought I would automatically bounce back like the rest of my family members who had children.  The only problem and difference between other moms in my family and me is that I eat healthy, but I eat really large portion sizes–enough to satisfy a cow. Now, that it has caught up with me, I have started exercising but the rode to a slimmer tummy is a long one.

I also need to develop an even healthier food plan. I currently tell myself that I eat healthy by being a vegetarian, but I need to change the way I snack and fill-up on food by doing the following:

1. Leave the chips and dip alone. It would be OK if I didn’t go overboard, but the saltier the tastier, and the more dip the better. Comfort food is great, but the entire container is ridiculous.
2. Stop stuffing my face with wheat and multi-grain bread. Just because it’s healthy doesn’t mean that it should be consumed without some restraint.
3. Cut back on all processed foods and eat food in it’s natural state. Moderation is key.
4. Don’t skip breakfast and make sure my breakfast is the largest meal of my day.  This is especially important for me because it takes a lot of food to satisfy my hunger. If I eat a complete meal in the morning and not just a few small items it would help sustain my body’s hunger throughout the day.
5. Stay away from juice. I personally need to drink more water and although I am not guilty of drinking soda, I don’t get enough water intake. If I don’t want water, I could always try a variety of herbal tea blends.
6. Plan my meals better. If I know what’s on the menu, I probably won’t prepare the first thing that comes to mind.
7. Exercise regularly, more than once a week.  I need to shoot for at least 4 days a week, but that is rather ambitious for me.

I’d love to hear about your own journey, so please feel free to comment.