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I’ve been learning a lot about myself over the last few months. I have found out how strong I am. I have been finding out who my real friends are in life. I’ve found that I can do ANYTHING I set my mind to. There’s still a lot about myself that I need to work on. I’ve decided to use deployment as a time to improve myself.
Every year at New Years, I make goals instead of resolutions. My goals are to be healthier in all aspects of life: mentally, emotionally, physically, financially, spiritually, etc. I can honestly say that over the last few years, since I started making these my goals, I have succeeded. I am not in any way, shape, or form where I want to be, but I’m improving – that’s what’s important.
I’ve recently decided to drop the negativity out of my life. Between dealing with deployment and family tragedies, I have NO room for negativity. In the process, that meant I lost some friends, who I truly cared about. It’s very sad and I’m sad about that. Overall, I know it’s better for my mental and emotional health – which will also benefit my physical health. I know that I won’t be able to make it through deployment if I keep myself surrounded by negativity. I want to thrive and I want my husband to be proud of me and all that I’ve accomplished while he’s gone.
There’s a number of things I want to accomplish while he’s gone. I want to definitely get in better shape. I know that I’m in OK shape, because between April and May, I ran TWO half marathons
(which equals a full marathon) within 8 days of each other! The attached picture is from the Flying Pig Marathon in May. Yeah – I wore a pink tutu, had my hair in pig tails, and wore a pig sweat band. I LOVE the pig – what a fun race! Anyway, I know that if I hold onto negativity, it will affect my will to stay in shape, because I won’t get out of bed in the morning or do anything aside from what I have to do during the day.
I admit, I see a therapist – especially during deployment. My anxiety levels go through the roof, which causes me to not be able to sleep at night. I don’t want to medicate this time. I tried the Xanex route last deployment, and I don’t want to try it again. That stuff knocked me on my rear end. If I’m not 100% functioning, then I can’t work out – which means my mood never improves and I also gain weight. Not good!
Another thing I’m doing to be healthier is buying packs of meat and then freezing them in individual portions. For example, last night, I grilled a pork tenderloin for one. It was super easy. Just marinate it in garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Lightly oil the grate of your grill and place a pan under where your meat will grill to catch the drippings. Grill over indirect heat for 30 minutes. Then baste in BBQ sauce and grill for another 15 minutes. YUMMY! I served that to myself with applesauce and broccoli with cheese.
This means that I did not spend money eating out – which would probably have a ton more calories and be less healthy than what I cooked. I love the All Recipes website, because you can adjust the portion size.
I’ve just got a plan to stay healthy. First and foremost is getting rid of the negativity, because I can’t do other things if I have that on my plate. Then I need to get my butt out of bed to go running in the morning. I need to eat healthier, which means cooking more and eating out less – it also means saving money! I plan to journal and maybe even blog this new journey on a personal blog (I promise to keep updates coming here though). I know that by getting rid of the negativity, though, I can do all the other things!
I love it and you!
During our deployment this last year, I called it our year of perspective. We got rid of a ton of negativity too and never looked back. When you are going through something so stressful, you have to stay positive and focused!