I have always loved to learn. I take a part of each day to learn something new, or practice something already in process.  Some days I struggle with how to find enough time to do all I want to do.   Yesterday I took my camera for a three-mile walk along the beach to see the snowy owls that were nearby.  It was worth the walk.  I met new people.  I learned more about my camera.  It was a great day and I smiled the entire 3-mile walk back to my car.

In working through the Strongest You Coaching program, I am learning about me, and delving into discussions with myself are, at times, a bit difficult.  I have to break old habits.  That is not an easy task.  At times the discussions are not about fitness, or nutrition, but about mindset.

As an example, I once labeled foods as “good food” or “bad food”.  If I ate salad and chicken and drank water, I ate “good food”.  If I ate pizza or Mum’s spaghetti for dinner, it was “bad food”, as it was full of complex carbohydrates that I was convinced would be deposited directly on my hips.  I have learned that food is just food.  Sure, some food is more nutritionally beneficial than others.  Eating more of some foods and less of other foods will likely help me reach goals regarding my health and fitness.  Given them labels as “good” or “bad” was giving food some sense of power, and with that, I labeled myself as “good" or “bad”.  I have learned there is a better way.

I like how eating nutritionally beneficial food makes me feel.  My gut works better.  My energy throughout the day is better.  My sleep is better.  I also love my Mum’s spaghetti.  I like that it reminds me of the smell of the kitchen when I was growing up and the happiness of family sitting around a table enjoying a meal.  I also know I that I can enjoy it without eating so much of it that my body feels “blah”.  I am learning.

I used to say, “I am a work in progress.”  I realized somewhere along the way that when I said that, it sounded as if there was something wrong with me.  I have worked on my self-talk as I am happy with the woman I am right now.  I call it “Project Me”.  Sure, I will continue to find ways to challenge myself.  More than that, I will enjoy the each day that comes. 

Today I went to the gym to train.  One of my clients is an exceptionally strong woman.  She is also exceptionally talented in the kitchen.  She came to the gym this morning with the announcement that she would have to leave early from her training session.  With that, she presented me with a gift… a red-velvet cupcake, filled with chocolate chip cookie dough and adorned with cream cheese frosting.

Yes, I ate the cupcake.  Yes, each bite was absolutely incredible.  No, I do not feel guilty or “bad” for having eaten it. 

Life is short my friends.  Say kind words to yourself for you are talking to your best friend.  Take the long walk.  See the owls. 

Eat the cupcake.