Changing into the best version of myself

Around the year 2000 I weighed in at 198 pounds, 90 kg, and said to myself “I no longer care about my health and the way I look”. The reasoning behind this excuse was that if I made myself look unattractive I would be left alone, and, if I was left alone I wouldn’t get hurt by people. 21 years later I realize how naïve I was and how much I had to learn about myself.

I used to be a “people pleaser” and always ready to help others, even if that meant ignoring my personal needs, wants and wishes. After all, if you focus on the outside world you don’t have to look at your own behaviors and patterns. It was yet another excuse to continue with my self-destructive behaviors which were smoking, eating “bad” foods, eating too much, drink too much and not having any exercise at all. I wasn’t always like this. As a teenager I loved eating whole foods, aerobics and swimming in the public Olympic pool several nights a week.

After a few decades of living an unhealthy lifestyle I decided to make some much-needed changes and own up to what I created. It was time to take responsibility for my actions. I stopped smoking, looked for ways to improve the quality of my food intake and started meditating and walking. I gained a new awareness and curiosity in spirituality which pushed me way outside my comfort zone. Slowly, I was changing into my authentic self. Everyone, and I mean everyone, deserves a happy and healthy life. So, why shouldn’t I change into the best version of me?

The motivation to achieve “the best version of myself” came when the scale tipped 237 pounds. No longer could I deny that I needed to make a change. I was huffing and puffing after walking down to the mailbox. I thought that it was ridiculous for a 42-year-old woman to be so out of shape. This wasn’t how I wanted to grow old and, possibly, develop cancer or some other horrible decease. Granted that there are no guarantees to have a life without illness you can sure try to make it as healthy as you can. And so my mission to having a happy and healthy lifestyle started.

It’s been about a year since I started making changes. I’ve dropped my weight to 193 pounds by eating healthy and small portions, limit alcohol, drink lots of water, and walking at least 2 miles each day. So far, my total weight loss is 44 pounds and counting. My dog Yoshi is my walking buddy, and together we go on many adventures. Like me, he is very food motivated but turns his nose away when he smells and sees kale. Also, I embraced spirituality and enjoy learning about its many topics. It’s liberating to not be confined by limiting beliefs which enabled me to discover much about myself.

This journey isn’t always an easy one, but it is well worth it!