Great Expectations

I've been having a lot of thoughts lately about expectations. I believe that relationships work best when each person knows what is expected of them, and in turn, makes their expectations known.

I now realize that I've neglected to do this with possibly my most important relationship - the one I have with myself. I expect the best that everyone around me has to offer, and I, in turn, give them the best that I can. I haven't given ME my best, though. So... In the spirit of improvement - and improving me, here goes...

I am overweight. There - I said it. It sucks to say it, to think it, to type it, but most of all, it sucks to be it. I think the last time I was happy with my weight was my second year of college, and I did not achieve those results in a healthy way. I didn't eat very much (half a Slim-Fast bar for breakfast, the other half for lunch, and a small-medium sized dinner where calories were counted down to the last pea), and worked out at the gym 5-7 days a week.

I've grown up since then, and unfortunately, I've also grown out. I realize that if I'm going to lose the extra 60 lbs I'm carrying around with me, I have to make some very real changes. Everyone knows that the main behaviors that impact weight are food and exercise. If it were easy to change these things, there wouldn't be so many overweight people out there.

Truth time... I tend to be lazy. My inclination is to sit down, lounge around, and just generally veg out. I know it's not healthy, and I know it doesn't set a good example for my kids. Unless I'm super-inspired or motivated to be otherwise, I don't get off my ass. I also have a sweet tooth that won't quit. Chocolate, pastries, candy, ice cream... you name it, I love it. Deep-fried & salty things, though often within my nutritional repertoire, don't lure me in and grab hold of me the way sugar does. These are my challenges, and ones I need to overcome.

I expect better from myself. I expect that I will make smart nutrient-rich food choices that will fuel my body. I expect that I will be active - both for my own health and wellness, and also to be a strong role model for my children. These are achievable expectations, and if I were to give myself the best I had to offer, I would meet them.

I understand that dramatic lifestyle changes don't happen overnight, but I also know that anything behavior-related is a choice. I can choose to make a healthy decision, or an unhealthy one.

Here's to meeting my great expectations!