Non-Scale Victories - The Difference a Year Can Make

Thanksgiving brought a lot of reflection for me this year. As I was on my long drive to my dad's house last week, alone with my thoughts while Dylan and Wyatt slept, I couldn't help but think back to last Thanksgiving. It's amazing what can change in a year.

Last Thanksgiving my parents were still together. Dylan lived at home; still in high school. Wyatt was a little toddler instead of a ferocious lion cub. My youngest niece wasn't even crawling yet. Relationships in my personal life were in a different place. And me personally? I was roughly 30 pounds heavier, very sick and very unhappy.

This time last year, is when I first got that fire to workout and get healthy. Unfortunately, a year ago this week, I found out I had pneumonia that ended up taking a couple months to fully recover from. That was a rough time for me. My doctor's wanted to hospitalize me, but I continued to refuse. There was no one that could care for Wyatt while I was in the hospital. So, I continued to work full time and be full time mommy while trying to recover. This, no doubt, prolonged the pneumonia. But, I did what I had to do for my son. Looking back, I am so grateful for that time. Struggling to breath on a daily basis. Struggling to carry my son up and down the stairs. Struggling to give him a bath. Being unable to get on the floor and play with him... it hit me like a ton of bricks. If not just for myself, I had to get healthy for Wyatt.

Now, I'm about 30 pounds lighter. I'm a far more attentive mother and friend. Most importantly, I'm a much happier version of myself.

Left: Thanksgiving 2012. Right: Thanksgiving 2013

Honestly, I'm not so sure the scale is going to be overly kind to me tomorrow. But whatever it reflects, I'm going to be okay with that number. I missed a week and a half of workouts due to being sick, but I kept my eating in check. I controlled my Thanksgiving dinner and a long road trip with small portion sizes and smarter choices. I've managed stress through a trip to Urgent Care with Wyatt in these two weeks and little sleep. Sure, I've had slip ups and minimal exercise. But, I've kept the healthy mindset and I've done the best with what I have been handed as of late.

In the past, I would have thrown caution to the wind. If I can't be perfect, why try at all?

Now, I understand that sometimes other things have to come first. Sometimes, I can't be perfect. Perfection is boring... and impossible to achieve. If you set out to be perfect all the time, all you're going to find is disappointment. Trust me, I've been there. Find joy in your journey. Find a balance that works for you, and you will get there!