It’s that time of year when temptations are all around you and every day you have to remember not to eat that whole plate of treats that’s just a mere 2 steps away from your desk. The coveted office “snack shack” has turned into chocolate heaven and, to be honest, it’s too good to be true.

For those of you like me who haven’t been blessed with an incredible metabolism like those people that can eat double their body weight and never step foot in the gym (yes the ones we secretly hate), it’s really important to keep focused during the holiday season. A little over a month ago I made a promise to myself that I was going to stop wishing I could fit into those gorgeous jeans I still keep hidden in my closet and actually get my butt back in shape and wear them for my upcoming birthday.

Now it’s not always the most amazing thing to admit to yourself (or to the world via blogging), but we all have that stuff we obsess over about our bodies. It doesn’t matter if you’re rail thin or curvy – believe me. The grass is always greener on the other side, but to lead healthier lives (mentally and physically) women need to start liking themselves. And I truly mean that.

So instead of looking at old pictures and wishing I was as thin as I was when I was a teenager, I think back to how fit and healthy I was when I was an athlete. So the first goal I set for myself wasn’t a number, it had nothing to do with a scale at all. My first goal was to get stronger and start lifting weights again. This doesn’t seem like a daunting task, but for someone who went from being in the best shape of their life to basically stationary due to knee surgery and back again – the weight room, hell even the gym, turned into a scary place.

I am here to tell you all that no matter what you’ve accomplished in your life or who you are, you will still have insecurities sometimes just like everyone else. I’m thankful that I had a friend who supported me every step of the way and knew how hard it was for me to suck it up and get back into a routine. I’m not sure if he actually knows how much he has actually helped me, but I don’t think I could ever fully repay him.

I’m starting to feel like my old self again, but healthier. Someone who knows how to cook for themselves and eat smart. Someone who can confidently walk into a weight room and lift just as heavy as those around her. Someone who is changing her lifestyle, not just addicted to the newest diet.

So every time I reach for that chocolate I know how hard I’ve worked to get where I am, well most of the time anyways….

It is Christmas, you can cheat a little bit can’t you?

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