How the Program is Going So Far:

I am very pleased with how the program is going.  I continue do the rhythmic eating and continue to leave work on time and not take things home with me to finish.  The biggest change I notice is that I am so much calmer and less exhausted.

Biggest Successes This Month:

My first major success this month is continuing to leave work early and/or not taking work home.  My second major success is taking time to take care of myself.  One of my family members was quite ill during December and I was almost sick from worry.  One day I took time to just “be”.  I was mentally and physically exhausted from the worry, so I went home and just sat by myself and then fell asleep.  It helped immensely and I don’t think it was something I would have done even a couple of months ago. 

Biggest Challenges This Month:

Although I’ve been successful, I still struggle with not taking work home and taking time for me.  It’s still not easy to leave work on time or not take work home to get “organized”.  Both of these activities are long-standing habits and not easy to change.  But I have made a conscious decision to get healthy and sticking with this one resolution will go a long ways toward achieving that goal.

It’s also been a challenge to stick with the rhythmic eating.  Even though I feel so much better when I stick with it, it also takes conscious effort to make protein-rich foods that I can heat or make in the morning for breakfast.  It’s so much easier to grab something sweet (or portable) and just go.  But again, this change is very important to being healthier, and I’m committed to sticking with it.

Unexpected Differences I’ve Noticed in Other Areas of My Life:

I’ve been visiting relatives out of town for the past few days.  All of my siblings have commented on how much calmer and less stressed I seem.  I am beginning to feel better, and I’m so pleased that my brothers and sisters could see the difference in me.

How the Holidays Were for Me This Year:

I found that I enjoyed the holidays this year.  I wasn’t stressed at all.  I actually enjoyed wrapping presents and doing last-minute things.  I also decided that it would be “okay” not to continue with the Diet Diary for a couple of weeks while I was on vacation.  I found, however, that I was making a mental diary as I made food choices and that felt good.

Insights or Major “A-Ha” Moments:

It’s amazing to me that making just a few seemingly simple changes has resulted in huge differences in my life – in how I look at and feel in the world. 

My Goals/Plans for Month 2 of the Program:

My goals/plans going into January are to continue with the rhythmic eating; continue leaving work on time and not taking work home; and starting a Pilates exercise program.