Health Challenge Update

It has been a month since I challenged myself to losing some weight and start the transition towards a healthier lifestyle. In case you missed my previous post about it, I let the stresses of life (sounds dramatic, doesn’t it?) get the best of me. Overtime at work, school at night and squeezing in time for personal relationships threw my routine out for a loop and I ended up falling on the heavier side of things, with less energy and not feeling so great.

It has now been over eight months of being overseas, traveling and volunteering. At the beginning of the trip, I continued my downward spiral of just indulging in delicious foods without exercising. This changed once we started one of volunteering assignments in Phnom Pehm, Cambodia. We lived and worked there for five weeks, which is way longer than the usual week or two at each spot. It allowed me to create a routine and made me realize that I had just been making excuses and putting my health on hold for no reason.

I decided to change things a bit and strive for balance. At the end of the day, travelling while limiting my food choices is difficult for me since enjoying the local cuisine is such a big part of the experience. However, I have found that it can be done in moderation and with some exercise, I have started to see some changes…which I like to call progress, even if it is very little change.

If you are expecting a six pack, then you should probably stop reading/scrolling. I have no idea how much weight in total I have lost, if any, but I just know the shorts I’ve been wearing throughout my trip (which I purchased right before leaving) fit me much looser than when purchased. I will show you a very embarrassing picture of me, that shows how real the journey is. No good angles, no sucking it in, nothing. Here are my changes:

It may not seem as much, but it is enough to keep me going. I am not looking for quick changes here. Instead, I hope to get back to what was once a habit for me and a lifestyle. The mental aspect of it is probably the most important to this journey. Embracing every step of the way, whether the progress is significant or not so obvious to the eye. Believing that you can achieve your goals, working feverishly to reach them and being satisfied with the gradual changes to keep you going are all part of the process. I question myself many times about what my goals are, why and how will I do this, etc., and regardless of the answer I always go back to finding balance. It is not about having a six pack, about looking a certain way, about lifting who knows how much weight or depriving myself from foods I enjoy that I know are not the best for me. It is about practicing mind control, knowing I can make my own choices, controlling emotions, and being consistent to achieve my goals. These same steps apply to so many other aspects of my life. It is not only to be a healthier version of myself but to apply and practice principles that can take a long way in anything I decide to do.

I am only doing this to show you I am holding myself accountable, publicly. Hopefully a month from now, the changes will be a little more visible. How are you guys doing? Who is still with me? Let’s do this!

And as always, remember that happiness looks gorgeous on you ❤

#cocosandchallenge #fitness #health #transformationintheworks #bikini #goals #workhard #fitfam #happinesslooksgorgeousonyou #happy #live #love #laugh #healthy #smile #lovethejourney #positive #dream #believe #commit #succeed #transformationtuesday