I've Got This!

For weeks, this advertisement (AD) kept showing up regularly on my feed. 

“In a week, you’ll start to feel it,

In two weeks, you’ll start to see it,

And in three weeks, others will see it.

But you just have to get started.

And if you don’t know where to start, check this new app. 28 days of commitment will change your life.”

Ugh, here they go again. Another AD about losing weight when the holidays have not even started yet. Don’t they know? It’s the holiday season people! Everyone will binge!! This is what it’s all about, merry and happy 🥳 Who does that anyway?!  

Every time I saw this AD I would scroll as fast as I could, till, on December 23^rd, something occurred to me. What if I made this my new year resolution, try to shed a few pounds, and get ready for that cruise I have been looking forward to. This is how the rest unfolded.

On the first day of the year, I found myself facing the bathroom mirror while weighing myself. The cruel reality! I needed to do something if I wanted to get on that cruise.

Should I? Do I? Don’t I? Will I? What’s stopping me?

All these questions kept coming in my mind. One thing was certain: a new year and a new resolution.

I’ll do it! I've got this!

In quest for more affirmations, more questions kept popping in my head. That little voice whispering that I would quit half-way.

But NO! I won’t be defeated!  I needed to try a new exercise routine, see how I could shed some pounds, get a slimmer body by losing a few inches here and there. Not to sound cliche, healthy lean, healthy, and strong or fit as a fiddle! 😌

Realistic? Heck yeah. Sustainable? ...another story for sure.

To record my progress, everything needed to be in writing. The steps, the wins, the moments of frustration, my daily meals, and the number of pounds lost.

A week went by and still there were no entries in the journal. One evening, a brand-new entry was recorded. It read:

Journal entry – January 7^th

Hi there!

Happy New Year again! First, I need to confess that I had planned to be here several days ago already. Second, I’ve been seeing this AD, it’s actually a new application that could help me lose some pounds. I think I am going to buy it and download on my phone. It looks easy to follow. I am not sure if there is a trick to it and if it will work.

I’ll let you know here.

Byeee!

For two days, no journal entry. There is no news to share until…

Journal entry – January 9^th

Dear Diary,

I am back. Guess what? You will be proud me of!!

I bought it.

Remember? The app I told you about a few days ago?  

I will download it later because I need to finish my book.

Talk soon.  

Byeee!

....A few hours later. It’s past eleven at night. A frustrated me pens this.

Hi, It’s me again. I am so disappointed! I didn’t know that my phone needed more memory space to download any additional apps. Seriously? I did not see this coming.

Oh well. It’s late and I won’t call customer service. I will go to the store tomorrow, after work, to get help. If not, I will simply bite the bullet and buy a new phone. I need an upgrade anyway.

Journal entry – January 10^th

Hi,

I went to the store. I waited at least an hour before I could speak with anyone. The store was so busy! When I finally spoke with one of the sales agents, she told me: “Your phone is too old. You need to upgrade it. You’re due anyway!”

She showed me an entire category of new phones, their prices and how much I may pay extra or save. She gave me some additional options available online.

I picked one only available online and paid for it.

She told me it will be shipped to my home address. At that point, I had no choice but wait for it.

Oh, wait! I just got this text. It’s about my new phone.

This is what it says: “THANK YOU FOR YOUR ORDER. WE HAVE PROCESSED YOUR REQUEST AND WILL LET YOU KNOW WHEN YOUR PHONE SHIPS”

I am so excited! Can’t wait! ☺️

Byeee!

Journal entry – January 11^th

Dear diary,

Guess what? Just got this text from the phone company.

“GOOD NEWS. YOUR ORDER HAS BEEN SHIPPED. CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW YOUR SHIPMENT”

It’s happening!

Byeee!

Journal entry – January 12^th

Dear dairy,

It’s been three days now. I clicked on the link and can locate my phone. It seems to be stuck somewhere in Delaware. I don’t know why. I guess I must wait or contact customer service.

More later…

Two days later, a new text message arrives.

“GOOD NEWS! YOUR SHIPMENT IS OUT FOR DELIVERY. WE WILL NEED SIGNATURE. MAKE SURE AN ADULT IS AT HOME AND CAN SIGN FOR IT. THANK YOU!”

Journal entry – January 15^th

Dear dairy,

Can you imagine? It's been 15 days since I started thinking about this fitness journey.

Today is the day. I got the new phone last night. So, I went to the store to get some help with the upgrade. It was not a plug and play situation and took nearly two hours to complete because I had stored so much data ☹.

Honestly, I had not planned to be so delayed with my plans. Nearly the first half of the month went into trying to get everything ready.

Anyways…more later.

Journal entry – January 16^th

Dear diary,

Everything is working properly.  

I found a fitness buddy. It’s Megan. She is on board with this. We’re both determined to make the most of the remaining days and continue working towards my goals.

Byeee!

Journal entry – January 20^th

Dear diary,

The weather has been a mix of rain and snow. ❄️🌨️

It has made it challenging for me to stick to my outdoor exercise routine. When I called Megan, wanting to tell her I won’t be walking with her today, it turned out she had caught the flu.

I remember that she didn’t look so good the other day, but she kept walking.  

I made some chicken noodle soup and will bring it over. I won’t stay though.

Journal entry – January 22^th

Dear diary,

Megan is still sick with the flu.

I've found ways to adapt and keep active indoors. I've been following other workout videos and trying out different home exercises to keep my body moving and my heart rate up.

One of the biggest challenges I have been facing during this past week was the temptation of unhealthy food.🥓

With the holiday season still lingering, it was difficult to resist the delicious treats and indulgent dishes. I have placed some of the food in the frozen section 🍕, but every time I reminded of my commitment to a healthier lifestyle and make conscious choices to opt for nutritious meals and snacks 🍪

This is harder than I had thought. Especially doing this on my own. I miss my Friday burgers and fries 🍔🍟

Journal entry – January 25^th

Dear diary,

I am so exhausted! Juggling work, cooking and eating healthy foods, finding time to do all my exercises based on then app been a struggle. I never seem to have enough. Work and personal commitments have kept me so busy.

I was up all-night thinking about what I need to. I have to learn to prioritize my health and make time for exercise.

It’s a journey. I must do this.

Journal entry – January 26^th

Dear diary,

I woke up earlier to fit in a quick workout. I need to incorporate physical activity into my daily routine whenever possible. This has to work!

…/

Journal entry – January 28^th

Dear diary,

I didn’t see this coming. I strained a muscle in my leg during my morning workout today. I am in so much pain I want to cry.

I will seek professional advice in the morning and may have to modify my workouts to accommodate my injury and focus on exercises that won’t strain the affected area.

It is so frustrating to be sidelined like this, especially after finally getting started. I won’t give up. I won’t be discouraged. This has to work!

Journal entry – January 31^st

Today is the last day of the month.

I tried my best. It's been a slow recovery, but I'm determined to get back on track soon.

Despite all the challenges and setbacks, I refuse to give up. I will keep reminding myself of the reasons why I embarked on this fitness journey - to improve my overall health, boost my energy levels, and feel confident in my own skin.

The support from my friends and family has been invaluable, and their encouragement keeps me motivated even on the toughest days when I crave for unhealthier food choices.

With that in mind, as I reflect on these past two weeks, I'm proud of the progress I've made so far. I’ve managed to lose three pounds and I've learned that setbacks are a part of the journey, and it's how we overcome them that defines our success. I'm excited to continue working towards a healthier, fitter version of myself in the coming weeks and months.

Until next time,

M