its not a time to focus on calories but to focus on overall wellbeing

New Years Eve /New Years Day is a natural time to reflect on the year just gone, and the years before it too.
I realise that many, far too many, of my years past have had been totally consumed with losing weight and lots of it.  This year in some respects is no different.  I sit here at my desk and put my hand up in complete honesty and say that l am very very overweight.
The difference is that this year, I will not cry, I will not panic, I will not embark on some drastic regime for the first few weeks of the year and exhaust myself from the lack of solid food.

I need to switch my mindset. I have been thinking about this all year.   A bit indulgent you may say!!
I have had a difficult 16 months or so where l have been exhausted and unwell. Overworked, out of shape, very stressed, emotionally drained and physically and mentally tired.
Beating yourself up about your weight serves no positive purpose.
I have spent time looking at myself, my habits, my stresses, my health issues, my lifestyle.  I see the need for a complete overhaul that will not be started by a NEw Years Day frenzy to launch myself into the New YEar only to crash and burn by January's end.

I have been looking at dietary information, allergy information, immune boosting, energy creating, super foods...
I now feel that l am set and ready to slowly launch myself into 2014 with a new attitude.
It is my mind and my way of living that need to change.
I know my family history includes heart disease and diabetes.  Both hugely influenced by weight and poor exercise habits.
So now that l have turned 40 ...WHY WHY WHY would l create a paradoxical situation where l am terrified of heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes amongst other illnesses, but my weight and my health issues have put me closer to the pathway of these diseases.

So...instead of waving furiously at these illness and trying desperately to attract their attention, l will bid a slow and steady retreat and move in the other direction of sensible health.

This has another dimension to it.  My two beautiful kids. THey are aged 5 and 7 now and l would like to be around for as much of their life as is humanly possible. So it is up to me to take measures to make this happen.

So here's to 2014....