• Back to Center

    Back to Center: Update 3

    The Recovering Pessimist: Back to Center Update 3 -- The scale isn't the only measurement of progress. | www.therecoveringpessimist.me #amwriting #optimisticpessimist #recoveringpessimistIt’s been a very, very long time since my last update (see here and here for my other updates) and I’m truly sorry. Life happened and here it is, mid-June and I’m just getting around to giving you an update on my lifestyle journey.

    *hangs head in shame*

    On January 16, 2015, I got on the scale weighed 160.6 pounds. Not quite my goal of 160 pounds, but close enough for me.

    In addition, my stomach is smaller, which translates into inches lost, which translates into all of my jeans (yes, including the skinny jeans) being baggy. Pretty awesome right? Anyway, there’s more.

    I held steady at 160.6 pounds until May 21, 2015, when I dropped down to 159.4 pounds. I couldn’t tell you the last time I weighed in the 150s. Yes, it’s been that long. Right now, I’m holding steady between 158.6 and 158.8 pounds. While I’m not as obsessive about my wellness goals as I have been in the past, there are a few things that are helping me continue to be successful.

    Raw Honey

    Keeping my sugar addiction at bay is still my #1 priority.  Since it’s so sweet, I don’t need to use a lot of it to sweeten my tea. It’s also great to use for sore throats. Raw honey also has a lot of antioxidants and vitamins, making it a great ingredient for a facial mask.

    Don’t Fight Sleep 

    There are nights when my body is wide awake, however, my mind is ready to count sheep. In the past, I would stay awake working or watching TV. By the time I would go to sleep, I would only get 3-4 hours of sleep. That’s not enough time for my body to rest and rejuvenate itself. After being extremely tired and occasionally sick, I learned the importance of getting a good night’s rest.

    For those nights where I can’t fall asleep, I have a cup of tea that promotes sleep. After a couple sips, my body relaxes, and my eyelids get heavy. Light’s out! Oh, and if you want another suggestion for falling asleep, try tart cherry juice.

    I read somewhere that drinking tart cherry juice is beneficial as a sleep aid. I finally brought a container of it to see if the claims were true. I drink half a glass right before I go to bed and sleep like a baby. It doesn’t taste as bad as you think it would, but the benefits definitely outweigh the taste.

    Treats are Treats

    I stopped keeping juices and candy in my house. If I want something sweet, I’ll have a glass of Silk Dark Chocolate Almond Milk, an Outshine fruit bar, or a small mug of Talenti gelato. Those are my 3 favorite ways to indulge.

    Hopefully, you enjoyed this update. The key thing I’ve learned as I continue on this journey is that any sort of change must begin with the mind first. If you can get the mind on board, the body will follow. Remember to take care of yourself.

     

    Updated March 4, 2016