“The choices we make, dictate the lives we lead.  To thine own self be true.” – Danny Devito (Renaissance Man)

This may have been an quiet, obscure movie, but this poignant quote has been a constant for me for most of my adult life.

As I sit here in my back yard around the fire pit, enjoying a glass of wine, I can’t help but think of all the choices I’ve made to get here.  My past holds many choices that I’m not proud of, but I’m just going to to out on a limb and assume most of you may say the same about your past.

It’s a funny thing about choices… something as small as using a credit card instead of paying cash could start a chain of events that could lead to identity theft.  Yet, something as life changing as choosing to go back to school to advance your career, could actually carve a path directly to your future spouse.  We have so many outside influences that impact our decisions, yet we never truly know just how much each little choice we make dictates the path being set before us.

All we can do is make the best decision possible, using whatever we have at our disposal at the time.  This is literally, all we can do… and it applies to every single part of our lives.

So when I think of my choices when it comes to weight loss and healthy living, that’s all it amounts to.  I can make better decisions if I plan and prepare.  I can make healthier choices if I have nutritious options in my home, work, and vehicle.  I know these things, but taking the actions to make it happen can be quite different.  It’s always my intention, but let’s just be honest… it’s doesn’t always happen.

Here’s the thing.  I know the basics.  I know what to do, and I’m choosing to do it.  I may rarely have a perfect on-plan week, but having a ‘perfect’ week is not realistic for me.  My real life includes marshmallows, and wine, and tootsie rolls.  It includes stress eating and boredom snacking.  But, it also includes a lot of good things… like running, tracking, drinking water, and making nutritious choices.

This is challenging.  Keeping a balance of health and sanity is challenging… but it has brought change in my life.  It’s brought clarity and knowledge.  So, when I know I am going to eat because of my emotions, not physical hunger, I can stop.  Do I stop?  It depends.  Can I stop?  YES.  It’s a choice.

I have never agreed with this more.  So, when you feel you are being challenged more than you can handle, put your big girl (or boy) pants on and handle it… because there is change coming… so get ready.

Make good choices, friends.

Connect: HeidiNicole10

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life.food.adventure & a cup of coffee… A blog about life, love, creativity, home, food, wine, step-parenting, weight loss, Jeeps, fitness, running, traveling, entertaining, fashion, being gluten-free, and… cats. Join me in embracing the chaos.