My new numbers

Here are some numbers that I should focus on to replace the scale number.

Over 101 likes to my first blog post on Facebook
Over 500 views to the blog
Over 30 very loving and supportive comments and messages of encouragement

My head is spinning and my heart is full, never did I expect such an outpouring of affirmation.

The good news is I have heard stories from friends that I didn't know struggle with similar issues.  Some have defeated their monster, some continue to fight, some are garnering the strength to take the first step.  Regardless of where you are in the journey, there is power in the experience of others.

The bad thing is I have heard stories from friends that I didn't know struggle with similar issue.  I am sorry so many have dealt with this.

One thing I have learned, monsters come in lots of forms and they do not discriminate along gender or age.  They attack men and women alike.  Older and young.  My monster is the scale, but the bully takes many other forms.  I also heard stories of people who completely relate to the struggle while battling different issues.  We are in this together.  That is a post for another day….

Today's post is about numbers.  Since I am determined to not be defined by the number of the scale, I've found some numbers I can focus on.

So here are a few of the numbers that I plan to focus on moving forward this year.

8 - the number of glasses of water I will drink every day resulting in
20 - the number of trips it appears I will take to the bathroom every day
5 - the number of servings of fruits and veggies I will eat (of the non chip/fry variety)
30 - the number of minutes I plan to move/stretch at least 5 times a week (this does not include stretching for the remote or moving out of the way of some screaming running child)
30 - the number of minutes I plan to spend in silent prayer with my God each day (because I need him)
0 - the amount of tofu and okra that I will consume (because even I have my limits, blech!)

at least 10 - the number of hugs and kisses for kids and Todd each day  (because if I give those I get them back)

2 - the number of new hobbies I will learn this year (knitting class today!  yay!)

6 - the number of books, not written by Dr. Seuss, I will read this year.

at least 1 - the number of girls nights I plan to have each month - because I have some kick ass friends!

Notice - not one of these numbers is outside of my control.  I dictate how much water I drink and if I exercise.  It isn't a situation where I can work really hard and see poor results (scale) and feel defeated and give up.  No, each of these is within my power.  Okay, maybe not girls night if everyone bails on me and sometimes I worry about my complete control with all this water after giving birth to 3 big headed babies... But lets not go there!  Each of these will lead to wellness and overall health - body, mind and spirit.

What numbers can you focus on this year?  Anyone want to share?

But just because I am a little crazy, I have one more number I am focusing on right now.

4/26 - 13.1 - April 26th - the day I will complete a half marathon in Nashville TN.  I have 4 hours to finish and my goal is to finish the race in the time allowed.  Run/walk/walk/run/crawl/skip/ride piggy back (stop for a moment and giggle at that mental image of me jumping on some poor unknowing persons back and demanding to be carried!)… whatever it takes to cross the finish line.  I have 14 weeks.  Training starts now.

(hey I said, NOW… blogs over… more later… I gotta go train!)