Accountability Check-in

I am sure I am not alone in the need to keep current, honest and be accountable and responsible to myself and others. SUpport is a huge key to my success and I want to continue to not isolate as I had in the past severalmonths.

I will provide an update and hope othres are willing to get current with me, whether you are doing great, or are challenged at the moment.

I am a firm believer in getting things outof my head, onto paper (letters/journals/blogs etc) and or out of my mouth to supportive people..setting goals that follow the SMART principle as well always work!
http://www.topachievement.com/smart.html
Specific
Measurable Attainable
Realistic
Timely
==============================
On 1/18 I decided to make some changes in the way I was coping with the current stressors in my life.

I had allowed the stressors in my life at that time to guide me in a negative direction and I stopped making healthy choices in living and coping. I had episodically reverted to more familiar ways (eating when not physically hungry, eating more carbs, isolating, sleeping, avoidance).

Over time again I have allowed life to erode many of my healthier and success supporting new found coping skills. My choices were not the ones to put me in balance or to be centered, present or healthy.

I take full accountability and responsibility for my actions and choices. Up until a few weeks ago I was (NOT) coping with life's stressors by:
1)Avoidance and numbing with food (more carbs which drives more physical hunger on top of the emotional hunger).
2)Isolating from previous level of activities and socialization. (friends/family/church/exercise/CODA meetings/shopping).
3)Working long hours and on off tours via remote access at home intruding on home; attempting to avoid and be perfect.
4)Procrastination at home and work.
5)Increased sedentary activity such as sleeping in or going to bed early, watching much more than usual movies/TV, naps on weekends.
6)NO EXERCISE in MONTHS!.

MY GOAL "I want to more balance in my life by being more physically and emotionally present and healthy"

Steps I have taken in past few weeks to rediscover my path:


I am exercising AT LEAST 30 min 3x week. Slow and steady! Sometimes at home on my elliptial and sometimes at the gym with cardio and free wts, stretching and nautalis equipemnt.

*REStarted daily journaling of my thoughts, feelings and sometimes food

*REStarted daily affirmations reading and listening

*Started daily listening to transforming eating obsessions CD (self hypnosis/guided imagery)
Meditating daily. www.donnabird.com

Practicing my deep breathing daily to deal with stress (as often as once an hour! Breathing in through my nose to count of 4 expanding my stomach and out to a count of 8 deflating my stomach through my nose) *I have stickys with letter B arount to remind me and my work outlook calendar set hourly!

Returned to CODA meetings (have done 1-2 weekly!)

Broke out of my isolation with friends and family making contact via phone, email and in person, going to the spa Saturday for a one hr hot stone massage and then out to lunch/walk after!

Stopped over sleeping/napping to avoid; working on 7-8 hrs!

Returned to many of my online support groups inlcuding OH here NY board.

Returned to more personal growth work individually.

I am making a lot of progress at MAKING ME A PRIORITY! SPEAKING MY TRUTH AND LIVING IN THE ONLY PLACE I CAN....TODAY & NOW!

TODAY there is no place for judgment; today I am practicing JUST NOTICING! I am still using daily list in my journal of gratitude...TODAY I am grateful for my life just as it is! I am grateful for all my lessons and opportunities!

So please check in and let me know what your goals are, where you are at and if nothing else check in and tell us you are breathing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am right there with ya, honey. Life stressors abound, and in the dark days of winter, napping and eating seem like irresistible choices in the face of challenge.

I have been thinking of ways that I can make slow steps back to treating my body/mind with more respect. I like the idea of starting slow with exercise. I may try that. I had also stopped drinking enough fluids because I am not a water fan and heard that artificial sweeteners can actually be responsible for putting weight on, so I stopped drinking fluids altogether! I thought I would just start back by drinking my crystal light again (6-8 glasses) a day, and when I was in a good habitual routine with that, start maybe trying to replace a few glasses with pure water. Small steps.

I have been very overwhelmed and depressed lately. I just found a therapist and will be getting started in therapy again.

Small steps.

No one ever said it would be easy, huh?

Keep up the good work, girl. I'm right there wit' cha!

xox
Amy

Hey the small steps are working ofr me, therapy, spa, reconnecitng with friends, and small steps with exercise! I am liking the results for my wellness emotionally, my body err well it is not as happy LOL! But I am doing it and not napping and not avoiding, also my CODA meetings help 1-2 wk as I am able. I need to take care of me and am worth the investment I keep saying it until I feel it all teh time!
Hope we can coonect soon and keep me and us here posted on your progress with fluids and exercise. I have found my water loading again has helped SOO much with decreasing appetite I am getting in at least 8 cups day usually 12-15cups ..I fortunately love water, have you tired the ture lemon or ture lime or true orange n water?>
www.trulemon.com I really like thses small packets I also add a splenda and it i like lemonage at a restuarant...Yeah the sweetnesrs are a challenge for me I am so sweetsey I can not avoid em.