I have had a rocky couple of weeks this past month (when it comes to my poor stomach). I am lactose intolerant, but I’ve gone on eating dairy like there’s no tomorrow. I did it to myself. My stomach has been killing me after eating each night for about a month now. It finally got so bad that I have had to say: “NO MORE!” 

I was feeling so terrible that I knew I had to make a change. So, I made the decision to go gluten and lactose free for now. It has only been about a week, but I already feel the difference in my stomach and waistline (I think I lost a couple of pounds already! Which was more of an added bonus, than my actual goal.)

My point of bringing this up is not to tell everyone they need to go gluten free or lactose free, because it is a fairly challenging thing to do. My point is meant to show how we can get into bad habits that are wrecking havoc with our body, but we can’t stop doing them.  Sometimes, we need to listen to our body because it will usually give us the right answer if you are treating it well.

As I’ve mentioned before, I don’t think anyone should have a goal of “getting thin.” It should be a goal about feeling good in your body. Being healthy and treating your body well.

I have also kept up with my exercise regime I mentioned previously (except for this last week, when I’ve been sick). I am proud of myself in the place I am at right now. The goal for the future is to continue doing what I’m doing!

Anyone else out there finding healthy living challenges and succeeding?

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It has been a while since I posted about “Plus Size Healthy Living.” With the New Year, I have kicked this into high gear for myself. I didn’t like how my body was feeling after the holidays. I have made a conscious effort to make some changes in my life–part of my “New Years Aspirations.”

During the holidays it is easy to get into bad habits. All those holiday treats and events… Who can say ‘no?’ Even though I never stopped having some form of exercise in my life, I am guilty of indulging some. I also was getting a bit lax on the amount and type of exercise I was doing.

With the New Year, I have started a new “regime” of sorts. I kicked up the time and effort put into my workouts and I have replaced one meal with a protein shake/smoothie (breakfast usually).  I am also back to trying to watch what I eat and make better choices. With my iced coffee in the mornings, I have stopped having caramel  and am slowly getting used to less sweet coffee. This is definitely going to be a slow process.

Don’t get me wrong, I am no fitness/health guru. I am continually looking for the best way to be healthy. I know I will never be skinny, but I want to be healthy.  It doesn’t matter what size you are–if you make healthy life choices you will feel better. There are unhealthy skinny people and unhealthy plus size people; there are also healthy skinny people and healthy plus size people. It’s all about choices and not about numbers.

Nobody should live a life without being able to live it to it’s fullest. Don’t let something hold you back. Don’t let a body shape define you. Be healthy and happy at whatever shape your body is meant to be.