Toxic

It's choice - not chance - that determines your destiny.  - Jean Nidetch (founder of Weight Watchers)

So far, I'm doing pretty well with sticking to the healthier eating and regular work outs.  The last couple of weeks have been challenging but I am doing the best I can.  The temptation for a burger came up several times during the week but I resisted (and as you know, I am a total burger gal).  I did allow myself some nachos to celebrate my heritage on Cinco de Mayo although I didn't even finish half of a half order.  I can say with a smile that I am proud of myself for doing so well!  YAY ME!!

During my walk the next day, I recalled how I use to eat poorly every day.  Nachos weren't just a "special occassion" food.  I use to think nothing of a morning stop at the "Arches" to pick up a fat and sugar laden breakfast on my way to work.  That would be followed by hours sitting at my desk and a lunch consisting of a greasy burger and fries that was delivered to me in a brown oil-stained paper bag (and we must not forget the addition of a large, corn syrup filled drink).  Dinner would have been anything from pizza to fried chicken tenders with gravy to another burger.  Yes, my friends, I was turning my body into a toxic dumping ground.

As I trodded on, I thought about our strange and disfunctional attraction to all things toxic.  We smoke, drink, eat poorly, stay in bad relationships, etc., knowing that these things are toxic to our wellbeing.  Trust me, I am not above this.  Goodness knows I've done my fair share of toxic things.  We take terrible care our bodies and souls but expect them to serve us without fail.  You know the saying about our bodies being a temple?  It's true.  Treat your body well and it will return the favor by giving you years of good health and longevity.  Treat it like it's a place to retain rubbish and that's what you end up with in a few years - a wasteland filled with the reminders of bad eating and abuse.  Think about it - would you want to live in a home full of trash and filth?  No?  Then why would you ever want to treat your body like it's a landfill?

The way I look at it is, right now, I'm sending a mini haz-mat team into my body in the form of fruits, veggies and whole grains to clean up the toxic waste I have subjected my body to over the past few years.  I visualize the little haz-mat guys inside of me eliminating inflammation and bad cholestrol while scrubbing all of the cells in my body clean.  During my daily runs or walks, I imagine that my sweat is the noxious run-off from the cleansing going on inside of me.  I can see and feel many improvements over the last couple of months that I attribute to my healthier choices.  Aside from losing a few pounds, I have more energy, my skin is more vibrant and I sleep more soundly at night.  I don't get as stressed or as edgy during a crazy day at work.  Who would have thought that choosing a bowl of berries instead of a bowl of ice cream could make so much of a difference?

Eliminating the toxicity in our lives is never easy because, as we all know, old habits die hard.  But we are all about moving forward and to do that, we must leave our poisonous pasts and habits behind.  Easier said than done, I know, but keep taking baby steps towards tossing the bad stuff and make a conscious effort to embrace the good.  Don't freak out if you have a small set back because they do happen.  Forgive yourself for it and then get right back on the path.  Show yourself some love.   

Happy Trails,
Valeka