How Can We Stay healthy and on Track During the Holidays and During the Winter Months?
Spoiler Alert: I don’t have the answer!
I wish I knew the answer. If I did, the $$$$ would just be flowing in my direction.
Of course, the answer to this question will be different for everyone.
It was easier when we were younger and our metabolism raged on but, as I’ve gotten older, it seems as if every calorie I eat goes right to my stomach area. Some of us hold it in the hips, some in the face, some in the boobs (not my problem), and me ……… it’s my stomach. That six-pack still eludes me..
I am taking a different approach this year as opposed to previous years.
I am going to try to stay busy. Busy with projects. Projects that will keep me engaged throughout the holidays and through the cold months. Right or wrong, my thought process tells me that if I can stay busy I will have less time to “graze” on goodies that most likely will end up in my house.
I already have finished a few projects, two that have required more of my time and one that only took an afternoon, which I will write in more detail coming up.
I started working on my living room around Thanksgiving weekend and have just completed the two separate projects within.
I Re-did my living room area
- Scraped the “popcorn” off of the living room ceiling, primed and painted.
- Primed and painted the walls.
- Re-arranged the furniture to give it a more open look.
- Hung new curtains.
I Made a black & white gallery wall
- Went through old and new photos to find featured pictures.
- Compiled all of my large frames I wanted to use.
- Spray painted all the frames black.
- Enlarged & printed my chosen pictures in black & white.
- Designed the layout of the wall & mounted them.
Both of these projects were time-consuming but totally worth the effort. My living room has not only been transformed into a lovely and calming space but, also updated to reflect a more modern look.
Unfortunately, because it’s Christmas time, I no sooner got the first project finished and I found myself decorating for the holidays.
I won’t really be able to see the full effect of my gallery wall until I put away all the festive elements and move my furniture back into place. I still have plenty of room to add a few pictures without it looking “cluttered.” My SIL, Patz, gave me some very cool antique frames that have been passed down in their family, which I am excited to paint and use.
After the house exploded with little white lights, I spent a long afternoon making three batches of pepper jelly from the jalapeños that I put in the freezer during the summer. More on that later…….
Another small project I had worked on, and finished recently, was the repair of a very special quilt that belongs to my MIL. It is a family heirloom that she, and my SIL, requested I look at to see if I thought I could repair. It was an honor to help.
And ……………. the smile it put on their faces once it was finished and safely returned.
When all is said and done, I am the one responsible for “staying on track.” I can’t rely on projects to protect me from overindulging. I will have to have the will power to say no. I will have to exhibit some self control and, if I do fall down, be forgiving of myself and move on.
One day at time folks ………………………..
To stick with the theme of staying busy this winter, I plan on:
- continuing to volunteer at the local food pantry every Saturday.
- continue my workouts.
- take a weekend, or two, to clean out the things in the basement I’ve been storing ……… or hoarding 🙂 Aren’t those baby clothes and school drawings the hardest things to part with?
- try to make sure I eat as healthy as possible.
- take care of myself!
Why shouldn’t the season of giving include giving to ourselves?
“You owe yourself the love that you so freely give to other people.”
xoxo, Katy