Choices

Did you know that it's possible to spend a WHOLE day shopping? I did not until I spent my first day of vaca going from mall to mall trying to find all of the things on my shopping list. I have never been one to love shopping or spending a lot of money so this was not a preferred way to spend my day. Don't believe me? Ask my friend Jen. I am pretty sure she is still laughing at me for refusing to pay $.25 for salsa at Lisa Radial's Cafe 4+ years ago. I wouldn't consider myself cheap but is it fair to throw out the adjectives frugal and/or practical? Therefore, I was proactive and created a list of the following items I needed to purchase:

• New dress to wear to Jen and Brennan's wedding festivities-- depending on the dress (maybe) new shoes
• Black shorts- can't be too short
• 3-4 new work outfits
• black flats
• cute sandals-- preferably black ones
• 1-2 new pairs of pants
• planner for the 2012-2013 academic year-- although I have an iPhone, I live by a good old fashion planner.
• 1 wish list item-- Sperrys boat shoes, Burberry Brit perfume, jewelry, brown Michael Kors watch or makeup

I anticipated that it would take 3 hours tops to find everything on my list. Boy was I wrong! I managed to find everything except for the dress. All the dresses I tried on were either not cute, too expensive, too small, or too big. This should not have been a big shocker because the past week I have felt like a few extra lbs had barged into a party (my body) uninvited. Actually I should say that they were invited because I have recently left myself go. I've been eating french fries, cookies, white flour, chips, etc as if there are no consequences! I initially cut myself some slack because I was certain that this feeling was just in my head but the jig was up after I had tried on my 6th dress. I just kept thinking of one of my favorite inspirational quotes...

Instead of having a breakdown at Oakview mall, I decided to not feel bad for myself and actually do something about my status! I can't expect to wake up tomorrow magically looking and feeling better if I keep eating for a family of four. I am not going to commit to a strict diet because I believe in better lifestyle changes. Isn't life about the choices we make that can either positively or negatively impact ourselves and others? This includes what we put into our bodies. That's why I am going to CHOOSE to not live a lifestyle that contributes to America's rapidly growing obesity rate.