lo and behold

I’ve been trying to post this all week, but I keep running into weird techno problems with getting the photos in.  I have so many other things to write about, so I’ve got to move on. I’m going to forget about the pix and put it out there: 

My word is Healthy.

I did not wholly choose my word of the year. It chose me, and I am going to accept it.  It is not really what I was thinking about; I’m not even sure I really want it as my word, cuz it’s not that fun. But it has come to me, and I know that I need to take it into my life.

I wrote about choosing a word in my first post of the year.  On that day, I read through a list of sample words Christine Kane included with her original article about the Resolution Revolution.  The word Healthy was on that list. It jumped out at me.  I thought about all the times and ways I have tried to be more healthy. Like . . . my birthday is in June, the Jewish New Year is in the Fall, and then the regular New Year comes in January, so at each of these times I try to take stock.  One b-day, I said I was going to exercise so much and so regularly that I would learn to crave it and love it. One year, I set up a reward system for myself, just like the behavior mod I do with my kids. I gave myself a present every time I accumulated 10 miles in walking:  a manicure, a new book, an ice cream, an afternoon at leisure.  One time I gave up sugar – I really did, but probably not for more than a few weeks.  One time I bought vitamins.  One time I joined Weight Watchers.  On my last birthday, I bought a book called At Peace with Food. 

Luckily, I am not really unhealthy.  I’m not overweight, though I’d like to weigh a little less.  Most importantly, I don’t have any huge health concerns, but the truth is, I don’t have healthy habits.  I love chocolate and dessert. I love cooking and I love eating in restaurants.  At the core, I am a foodie and I get a lot of pleasure from eating.  And it’s not that I don’t like exercise at all, but it always feels like a “should” rather than a want, so I don’t  do it.  And I like reading and knitting and making beads more, which all involve sitting on my butt or laying in bed (even better). 

So, it always boils down eating less sugar, getting more exercise, and drinking more water.  I didn’t mention that, but I never drink enough water or fluids in a day, so I’m always at least somewhat dehydrated, which I know impacts my energy level and my overall health. 

I know what I need to do, but I try and fail constantly.

And, the midlife thing – without going into the gory details, let’s just say there is recent evidence that this is a good time to pay attention to my health before things get even more wacky.

So, if health is my word, I am going to start by asking myself:  What have I done today that is healthy?  And I’m going to record it in a journal each night. I know that each day I succeed a little.  Maybe having this as my word, my intention, can help me recognize and celebrate how I do take care of my health – my body, my mind, and my spirit – and if I feel like less of a failure, I will ultimately do more each day, and with more pleasure.

Other good word-of-the-year posts here  and here and here.   Also, Christine Kane has a lot of guest bloggers who share their experiences with the word-of-the-year intentions here.