My Mind's Eye

Back when my son left for his year abroad, I had the brilliant idea to lose some weight. "He would really notice" I thought, his having not seen the transformation over the year.

I also had added inspiration, after new years, when I decided to meet my best bud in Hawaii for a "getaway from it all."

Ah yes, the dropping of about 20 to 40 pounds. 20, minimum, and fairly realistic... 40, gallantly idealistic, but probably needed.

Well, you know, life just gets in the way, and it's always something! Changes in situation and routine, stress, the blahs and "who cares", other things that just take more attention. Needless to say, it's now about 2 months before my Hawaiian takeoff, and guess what!? I haven't lost a single pound! Probably have even gained a few... too scared to find out! And I will probably hate myself when I get there that I didn't put forth better effort.

In my mind's eye though, I am slimmer and healthier. I'm still young looking, and basically in decent shape. I think I can bike and hike endlessly into the sunset, but in reality, a 1/4 mile down the path, I'm huffing and puffing.

Now that we've hung the mirrors in my son's room across the hallway, I catch a glimpse of myself every time I walk into my own room, and think... Ack! Is that really me?

I know I need to quit wasting my 50's !! Too soon I'll be in my 60's and hopefully 70's and I will be really old and on a half dozen medications, and I'll have lost the opportunity to ever really be in shape.

But it's difficult to consistently keep that point of view so that you turn away from the ice cream, eat better foods, turn off the TV, get off the couch, and go outside for a walk, even if you are going to get a little sweaty in the warm weather, or need to bundle up for the cooler weather.

Why, why, why, is it so difficult?

Since my high schooler will be having a hectic schedule and we're not too sure about meal times, we have decided that making casserole and crockpot dishes would be best, so that he can come in at any time, warm up a dish and eat decently. Although I have a list of recipes that I already make, I am now in search of healthier alternates so all of us will eat better.

Got any good ones to share? Please comment and leave me a recipe!

Thank you! :)