What is Your Light Bulb Moment?

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Sandra ButlerAt the beginning of the year 2013, I decided enough is enough! A light bulb finally turned ON in my head! I NEVER EVER wanted to diet again! I wanted to BE healthy! I wanted to live life to the fullest! On January 1st 2013, I decided to cut out pop/soda, one of the many unhealthy processed foods I was addicted to! Like many other people, I have started new diets on New Years Day thinking that the power of the date would keep me from breaking my resolutions! Like everyone else, by February I was always back to my bad habits. This time things were different! A few events happened within a few months that “clicked” and changed me. A high school friend passed away way too young. A relative inspired me with his incredible weight loss! I saw a “celebrity” exclaim on face book that she had been “soda” free for a year! Another friend had started to run races and had a new lease on life! And yet another friend was training to climb Kilimanjaro! This all happened within a few months and then mid January I saw this picture of myself! I definitely didn’t like what I saw  but it wasn’t just about the weight! Even though I was smiling, inside I felt sick and tired! Around this time, I had also been feeling that life was slipping me by and that I would never, ever be healthy and fit enough to do all the incredible things that where on my bucket list!!

By the end of the month I had been pop/soda free for a month. I was so proud of myself! I had tried to break the habit before but always went back to it. I was determined to make it stick this time. After looking at that picture, I walked into a gym and bought a one-year membership! I have always disliked most exercise but I truly wanted to be active. My husband has always been very active and when we travel (which we love to do together) it’s always an adventure! I was starting to feel like I couldn’t keep up. He has a goal of climbing Kilimanjaro and even though I don’t get the “must get to the top of the mountain” thing, I would like to someday do this with him! Last year I reached a milestone I didn’t ever want to reach.  The scale went over 200 pounds and some. Have you had your light bulb moment? Comment below and let me know what it was and what YOU did about it! If you have a journal, write it down for yourself to reflect on later.

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About Sandra

In a previous life, Sandra was an adult educator, counsellor and trainer. While running a successful direct marketing business she became passionate about business, social media and coaching. She strives everyday for a life full of health, wellness, adventure, passion and purpose!

Comments

  1. I got so discouraged when my size 20 clothes didn’t fit anymore. I don’t know how I ever let myself get there. I had been going to the gym for a year, but only halfheartedly. A friend mentioned that he had been eating a Paleo diet and he had lost 40lbs doing it. My husband thought this was interesting and for the first time, want to go get back on track. I researched it and found it fit for us and we started on January 1st, 2013. I had also decided to take my running more seriously. I signed up for a few races and joined an online forum for support. I was determined too to make it passed the January barrier that I let get to me so many times before. The running kept me focused and the Paleo way of eating gave me foods to stick to. In 2013, I lost 35lbs bringing my total to 55lbs lost. I am more than halfway there now! New goals this year: run 100 miles in 100 days and my first 10k race during the Ottawa Race Weekend.

    • Neysa, this is amazing and thanks for sharing. If you read above you can see that you were one of my inspirations to get healthier! Thank you for going on your journey and thank you for inspiring me to go on mine!

  2. Sandra, this is what I call a defining moment. A moment where you make a decision and for some reason, all these other things happen that help you to stay true to that decision. I did the same thing over a year ago when it came to eating gluten. I was tired of being bloated and not feeling well yet I didn’t want to give up foods I really enjoy like pasta and bread. I went on a journey of finding replacements for the things I wanted to keep in my life, and I started to feel so much better as a result of eliminating gluten. I commend you for taking this new path and for sharing your journey. You have helped so many women when it came to Stella and Dot and now I know you are going to change lives on this new journey too. Congratulations on the light bulb that changed your life.

    • Thank you Lisa for your kind words! It is amazing just how great you feel when you start on a new and healthy path. I’m so glad you’ve found yours when it comes to finding a better way to nourish your body!

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