Friday, March 5, 2010
Freedom Friday
Years ago, I lost 35 lbs on a specific diet. Most I have lost at one time. It was a strict high protein, no sugar (not even natural sugar) diet. I ate the strict diet, lifted weights, did cardio, and followed the rules. One thing on that diet was Freedom Friday. I would list all the things I craved all week long and on Friday I could have absolutely anything I wanted. I could eat the whole list of things I craved but only on Fridays.
You can imagine where that got me.
Even to this day, often I think of Friday’s as my Freedom day. But now, that often extends through the whole weekend. Then on Mondays, I vow to do better. Food and exercise will be my plan of attack. But by Wednesday, I lose my resolve. By the time, Friday rolls around, I am looking for the escape…the freedom. That ugly vicious cycle that is part of an addiction.
But those thoughts are starting to change. Freedom isn’t about having anything I want to eat. Freedom is breaking through these behaviors that keep me trapped inside. Freedom from the foods that have become my addiction. Freedom from the roller coaster ride that my life has become.
It’s been a difficult month for me, but I am on the uphill side of things. The health problems with the low energy really scared me this time. Being left to take some hard, long, reflective looks at myself, got me to this point.
My energy levels (thank you Vitamin D and B12) are coming back up and I am seeing what I need to do. I guess, I hit my bottom. It’s time to do something, to rid myself of my addictive behaviors that have kept me trapped for so long. I guess that is how it happens. But why is it we have to get scared to do something about it?
I often remember that old saying, “Be careful what you wish for!” My mantra for 2010 was I LIVE. I wanted to take this year to stop telling myself NO because of my weight. I was excited. I was motivated. I was full of energy and hope to find that feeling of finally living the life I say I have always wanted. But something bigger than me, something outside of myself, had an entirely different plan as to how I will get there.
You can make all the plans and goals you want, but life doesn’t always work out by those plans. Being mindful and taking tiny steps each and every day is what works. That’s FREEDOM!
What does Freedom look like to you? What can you be mindful of today? What tiny step can you do each day to get there?
I used to let myself go on the weekends, until I came to the realization that I was making my journey so, so much harder. Now I see weekends as an opportunity to squeeze in more good work, not a ticket to cheating.
Good post.
Have a great weekend.
March 5, 2010 at 11:30 amWeekends are always my downfall. Everything I do during the week is so structured, but friday night hits and the drinks start flowing. Down hill we go. I need motivation to move my butt on the weekends.
March 5, 2010 at 1:04 pmLike Stephanie commented, I get into trouble with the cocktails as well. They add calories and lower my resolve. Thank you for the reminder, I vow to do better this Friday!
March 5, 2010 at 1:45 pmGreat post. I tried the Body for Life program before and it allows you a day each week of gluttony too if you want. As you might guess, it didn’t work for me one bit.
Freedom to me is more about how I feel about myself. Freedom in my head and in my heart for how I look at myself and how I feel about myself. When I’m doing the things that I know are good for me, I feel alive and energetic and powerful. That feels like freedom.
My BIG tiny step every day is to speak my gratitude for one thing out loud every morning. Can be the same thing or a different thing but every morning I pick something to be ridiculous grateful for and I say thank you for all the joy and peace and freedom and support and love it brings me.
March 5, 2010 at 3:39 pmYeah – it’s a good intended thought, but freedom isn’t everything. I would love to be able to trust myself on the weekends, but the fact is – I can’t! Great reminder – have a fabulous weekend!!
March 5, 2010 at 5:00 pmHello, Jules;
I read on Rachelle G’s blog that you are writing a memoir. You might want to read the posts at http://aspiringwritersofnonfiction.blogspot.com/.
Be blessed,
Lynnda
March 5, 2010 at 6:00 pmYou can make all the plans and goals you want, but life doesn’t always work out by those plans. Being mindful and taking tiny steps each and every day is what works. That’s FREEDOM!
Loved this Jules! It is so true!
Kind of a basic for me – exercise. It will be raining here Sunday on my outside jog day. Usually I would just jog Saturday instead but I really noticed that my bod needs a break so instead I will do something but less hard on my bod. This is a big step for me because I am one to NOT want to take off from my routine! So my small step was doing as I tell others to do.. I am listening to my bod say rest a bit more!
March 5, 2010 at 9:40 pmFreedom is being able to just live life without thinking every minute about food. That was such a gift.
These days I just continually try to release myself from worry. I tend to be a worrier and am trying to free myself from that.
March 5, 2010 at 9:58 pmI find that I have a different result: I am better on the weekends because there are fewer distractions. During the week, I have work, family pressure to get things done in a small window of time, bills, housework… Just too much stuff. Weekends, I get up when I want, I plan what I eat. I have time to decided when to move.
Cheers,
March 6, 2010 at 8:08 amMissa
LosingEthel
Great post! Enjoy your weekend!
March 6, 2010 at 9:47 amFreedom should be a daily experience an decision. I should learn to listen to my body and be free to eat whatever I want, in moderation. Intuitive eating is what it’s all about. I should pair this with striving for a healthier mind and spirit. Freedom is bringing all these together despite whatever life sends your way.
March 9, 2010 at 2:26 am