The holidays are over and like many of you, I at WAY TOO MUCH! My will power went out the window between Thanksgiving and New Years. This trend obviously caused the number on the scale to rise and I am not happy about it. I have caught myself looking in the mirror and using negative self talk. Punishing myself is not going to help me move forward. Focusing on what is good and beautiful about me is my goal for 2014. Set backs are bound to happen. Heck, that’s why this blog is called Comeback Momma. We all need to make comebacks during our lifetimes. A good way to start positive self talk is to reflect on all of your positive accomplishments for the previous year. Here are mine in no particular order:
Launched my new blog
After being away from the online world for nearly a year, I launched Comeback Momma to share my story and focus on making a comeback throughout many areas of my life.
Made more time for family throughout the year
I made a point to volunteer much more at school. We took 4 family vacations, including one where I took the kids to Florida by myself. I’ve never taken the kids solo anywhere before. We had a blast!
Took a step back from things that were creating stress
I was overcommitted with two book clubs and membership in a local social club. Things like this were causing me more stress than joy and taking me away from evening family time. I decided to take a step back from these activities. I’ve learned that being a home body brings me peace. I used to be hard on myself and try to push myself to get out.
Ran a Color Run 5K with my daughter
At only 7 years old, I was super proud of my daughter to complete a local color run with me. She was an inspiration throughout our training and during the race. She stumbled in a pothole around mile 2, but was determined to finish the race. I know that my influence has helped her enjoy events such as this and given her drive and determination.
Attended the FitBloggin Conference for the second time
Attending blogging conferences is a bit out of my comfort zone, but I know it’s important for my blog and continuing to make connections in a community where I feel most at home. I lead a discussion about blogging on sensitive topics. This was WAY out of my comfort zone, but I did it! I met up with some of my favorite blogging friends for the first time too.
Attended the Type-A Blogging Conference for the first time
This was a big step for me. I had never been to this conference and I did not know anyone before attending. I roomed with two strangers who turned out to be great. I highly attending a blogging conference, even if you don’t know anyone.
Being Featured in Prevention Magazine
Initially, I thought being contacted by someone at Prevention Magazine was a scam. After a few emails and chatting with the journalist, I realized that they really did want to feature me. They have a monthly column called “Better Than Ever.” I’ll be in the February issue. I am so excited to be chosen to share my story and hopefully inspire other women to let go of being perfect and just embrace life and loved ones.
Being more accepting of my body
For years, I’ve struggled with trying to create the “perfect” body. I had a wonderful transformation about 5 years ago. I won a transformation contest and was even featured on an informercial for a leading fitness program. While I am still proud of this accomplishment, I became too obsessed with my fitness. This past year is the first time that I became much more comfortable in my own skin. I am appreciating all that it has accomplished and not just what it looks like. I wrote a great post about this here.
Do you get caught up with negative self talk? Make it a goal for 2014 to focus on what is positive. Reflect on what you accomplished in 2013. Take that positive energy to move forward for 2014. Keep in touch as the year progresses. We can do this! We are beautiful!
I did my best the past few years to stay away from negative talk, but it wasn’t always successful. In the past few months, that’s changed and I’ve really enjoyed life again. I am hoping to attend a blog conference this year, if not just to experience it a bit and see what it’s all about!
Wow that is fantastic about Prevention. I am working hard on my body image. I have 2 little girls who I want to love themselves for who they are, not how they look. And they get their keys from me.
It sounds like you had an amazing 2013 – can’t wait to see what 2014 is like! Happy New Year.
Can’t wait to see the article. How exciting.
Congrats on the Prevention article!! I have worked very hard on not being too hard on myself, it is an ongoing process. Sounds like you had a great year!
Cool about the Prevention mag article!! Negative self-talk is so prevalent. I have to remind my 6th grade class about it — we don’t allow put-downs, which means even about yourself. I have to tell myself the same thing!
Negative self talk is so ingrained into our society. It’s been “oh you can’t say you are beautiful; cause that is prideful and that’s wrong”. But that’s not true. Having confidence and being prideful are two separate things, and it has been such a long journey for me to learn this. I still struggle with negative self talk; and I still have a long way to go but I’m at least working on it.
That is SO TRUE – you reap what you sow, so sow good!
Congrats on the Prevention magazine feature — that’s very cool!
Positive self talk is really important – your confidence can improve so much when you speak more nicely to yourself.
These are such great goals!
Kids seem to very easily pick up on negativity, so I’ve learned to make sure they don’t pick up bad habits from me! Thanks for sharing.
Those are some wonderful accomplishments for 2013, and what a wonderful way to start 2014 by remembering your awesomeness over the past year. Oh and congrats on your magazine column.
I am so with you – hate the way I talk to myself!!
Asking us to reflect on all of our positive accomplishments is a tremendous idea, thank you! Since I seem to forget a lot, lol, I think I will start doing this for 2014 and then maybe reflect each month. Maybe I’ll get a white board and call it I am Beautiful, Creative, Committed, etc etc.
Love that white board idea. I always mean to keep a gratitude journal and never do it. I’ll try to at least stick to this annual review.
Surprisingly, I feel I have always been least concerned with my body image and more hard on myself over how my body is running inside. I am far more critical of whether I should have put something in my mouth because it will clog arteries or raise blood sugar than what it will do to my hips. I know I need to find a balance in both and not feel so guilty when I indulge now and then.
True. It is all about balance. I have been putting too much garbage in my mouth. That needs to stop for sure!