Happy 2015! I can’t believe 2015 is here already, the last year has flown by... it seems like just yesterday I was writing this post on NYE 2014.
Since my last post in 2014 recap: (finished my weight loss in May 2014. Traveled to Europe May 2014. Moved June 2014. Job transfer July) August 2014: New job.September/October 2014: three weeks of house guests. November 2014 holiday and job related stress/ more family visits+good news, I started back at the gym doing fitness classes. December 2014: New puppy and I got the flu.
Well friends, as you can see 2014 was filled with both immense blessings and change. I did not meet my final weight loss goal, instead I maintained my weight since May 2014... I say maintenance, meaning I used alternative products and “maintained” my 10 lb gain since my strict IP days. This may sound awful to an avid IPer and I’m sorry, but I “watched” my weight furiously, but I did not allow myself to become “regimented”, the way I initially was when first starting protocol. I think this is both good and bad. Good in that, I lived life for a season- with the ups and down and was mindful of what I was putting in my mouth, and bad in the fact that I struggled to find the girl who started the journey in August 2013.. Where did she go? Where was her motivation? Could she be found, again? I went through (and still do) go through phases of: “I’m doing this, I’m back on track!” and my shameful days of “I was on day 6...what happened I fell apart?”. All of that to say, I’m learning what living out an Ideal Protein lifestyle looks like.
What my own journey has taught me is, I recgonize how to make better food choices. I almost always can turn down a potato, sandwich bread, fries, rice, etc. I have learned how to live without these things. In and of itself, this is a great accomplishment for me, a former carb addict. So with that, I am pleased with myself.
But if I’m honest, just like my August 2014 post, I’m unhappy with how my body feels at this current weight. While all my clothes still “fit”, I no longer feel "fabulous!**” in them. So, its time to reboot (again). I am learning that this will take balance, as I am juggling a new job, a second dog and an upcoming move from an apartment to a new home. I will allow myself grace on the days where I miss the mark, and I will keep going.
This past month I have read Shauna Niequest’s book Bread and Wine, and I relate so much to her, she says that balancing healthful eating and times of indulgence is hard because she is constantly on the seesaw of “feasting and fasting”. She defines fasting not as a typical strict broth fast or non-food fast, but more as a “season of less, or abandonment of excess”. When I read this I immediately identified. It is true to we do have seasons of indulgence and seasons of restriction.
Life is a balance. Maintenance is a balance. Life has special occasions. Learning to live in moderation is key.
So in 2015, I am going to aim to get to my goal weight, which I am now 22 lbs away. But I am NOT going to obsess about it. I will get there in time, it may be that I reboot and get there in a couple months or maybe it takes longer-- I don’t know. What I do know is that tearing myself up emotionally, obsessing and being ashamed of slow progress is not helpful and does not build me up, or recharge me to keep going. I’m going to give myself grace along the way. At the end of the day, I remind myself that while I’m not there yet, I am still far, far away from where I was in 2010. I remain 40lb lighter and then that puts in perspective, and lets me continue another day.
I share this post with you, because I’ve gotten so many “reboot IP” emails from readers, I think people can relate to this on a human level. We fail, we mess up-- it’s the fact that we pick ourselves up, put our big girl panties on and face a new day. It also reminds me of my human nature to forget my need to have my faith base guiding the way. To remind myself how the creator sees me, and sees you can make all the difference-- when we’re in that dark place and it feels like we want to give up. Let’s keep going, and keep pushing... one day at a time. That’s my prayer for this new year, that I can give grace not only towards others more, but also myself.
Happy 2015! I hope you give yourself grace along the way and know you are doing so well. Keep going when you have a bad day, don’t call it quits. You’re worth it, so keep going!
Here’s to a new season of recipes in 2015! As always, feel free to share new recipes with me and pass mine along, if they’ve helped :)
Blessings,
-Ideal Protein Tiffany