So it Begins...

The first week of this journey was interesting. Giving up sugar cold turkey was a lot harder than I remember from times past. So maybe I have a small cookie or a soda here and there, I'll survive! Going into the second week, having even less sugar than that went much more smoothly. I'm noticing a clarity of thought and focus, while being a little mellower. All good!

The positives about changing my eating habits and being more mindful about what is in my food is that I'm much more discerning while grocery shopping. Buying more fresh meats, vegetables, etc., our grocery bill has split in half! So, not eating processed foods or fast food frequently saves money. Not an earth shattering revelation by any means just an obvious reminder and the best incentive to keep moving on this path.

New foods I'm enjoying: Sweet potato chips (Low salt, even less fat!) quinoa, butternut squash anything!

Now that I'm exploring new food options and seeing the change in my body, I'm also noticing some clarity in focus. I don't seem to be as ADD as I seemed to be when I used to work on computers all day and ate from vending machines and junk food. I'm able to focus on my reading more and what I'm reading sinks in faster. Over all, I'm less distracted.

I'm already watching less TV (though did discover Conan this week--pretty funny!)

With the new focus I have, I'm becoming more aware of my stress points. Those little buttons that get pushed that send my into those moments when I want to pull my hair out. Not really game for being bald, (been there, another story...) I go back to my audio files, and my books and read some mantras and meditate. I'm starting to get to a place when I realize that I can't control everything. The things I know I can not control but also have trouble letting pass, drive me to go back and focus on my breathing and coach myself to let those things pass. They have to. They aren't mine to process or control. I need to get on with my things and not let all the chatter around me dig at me. It doesn't serve me or anyone else. I just have to keep saying that. Soon I will believe it and I will again meditate because I'm already at peace and want to stay that way, not just to bring down my blood pressure and stress levels.

Overall, the week reminded me that this is a process. I won't be an instant yogini. But with the awareness I'm gaining, I know from my yoga studies that I already have many tools at my disposal to assist me on my way to being the yogini I want to be.