Lifestyle

Happy, Mother’s Day 2024…

Happy Mother’s Day!

As I celebrate Mother’s Day today, I am filled with gratitude for the privilege of being a mother. It is a role that has brought me immeasurable joy, endless challenges, and an unconditional love that I am grateful for.

Motherhood has been an incredible journey filled with surprises and a multitude of lessons. As I reflect on the experiences that have shaped me, I am in awe of the transformative power of nurturing life.

From the moment I held my first child in my arms for the very first time, I was overcome with a love unlike any other. It was a love that knew no bounds, that stretched me beyond what I thought possible. Through the sleepless nights and endless challenges, I discovered a strength within myself that I never knew existed.

Motherhood has taught me patience, resilience, and unconditional love. It has shown me the beauty in the small moments—the sound of my children’s laughter, the warmth of their embraces, the wonder in their eyes as they explore the world around them.

But perhaps the greatest lesson of all has been the gift of perspective. In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, motherhood has taught me to find joy in the simple pleasures, to appreciate the fleeting moments, and to hold onto the memories that will last a lifetime.

Today, as we celebrate the remarkable women who have shaped our lives, many of us are enveloped in feelings of joy and contentment. We delight in the company of our cherished mothers and grandmothers, and we enjoy the love of our precious children.

However, amidst the laughter and festivities, it’s important to acknowledge that not everyone experiences this day in the same way. For some, Mother’s Day serves as a poignant reminder of profound loss—the absence of a beloved mother or grandmother, the heartache of a lost child, or the disappointment of unfulfilled dreams and expectations. The sight of others reveling in maternal love may only serve to amplify these feelings of longing and emptiness.

It’s important that we extend compassion and understanding to those who are navigating this day with heavy hearts, offering them a comforting embrace or a listening ear. Let us honor the complexity of emotions that Mother’s Day evokes, recognizing that for some, it’s not just a celebration, but a day of remembrance and healing.

“Happy Mother’s Day” to all:

💐 Those who are Mothers
💐 Those who anticipate motherhood
💐 Those who grieve the loss of their Mothers
💐 Those Mothers who mourn their children
💐 Step-mothers navigating their unique journeys
💐 Women yearning to embrace Motherhood
💐 Those facing challenges in their Mother relationships
💐 Those navigating difficult dynamics with their children
💐 Women who have chosen a different path
💐 Pet owners who nurture their fur babies
💐 And to everyone honoring the spirit of Motherhood in their own way.

lookingjoligood.blog

Happy Mother’s Day.

Flab to FAB · Health/ Fitness

The Trap Of Celebrating With Food

Over the last few months I have been on a journey from Flab to FAB.  If you have been following along, thank you so much for your support.  These last few pounds have been the toughest to shed!  I have 1.5 lbs to go, and it has been a struggle!

As I have mentioned in previous posts, I have never had an issue with daily exercise. I love to get up early and get in a workout before the rest of my family is even awake.  My down fall has always been diet, even more specifically the sweet stuff!  The holidays are a tough time to be trying to lose those last few pound.  Some weeks I have been happy to just have not gained any weight.

I LOVE to eat!  I have had many conversations with fellow food lovers about where’s the best place to get homemade ice cream or freshly baked bread, or which restaurant has the best tasting menu.  I also love to cook myself.  I like to try new recipes, watch cooking shows and read cookbooks and food magazines.

Dulce De Leche Ice Cream from Haagen-Dazs | lookingjoligood.com
My favorite kind of ice cream

While the occasional food splurge is fine, and actually part of a successful weight loss routine, it is important to keep it an occasional splurge. While these occasions don’t have to be huge major special events – My daughter got a 100% on her first math test- Yay! Lets get ice cream!  My son scored a goal in soccer, Yay! Let’s get ice cream!  I did awesome at my job interview!Yay! Let’s get ice cream! I got the job! Yay! Let’s get ice cream!  I had a great first day of work!  Yay! Let’s get ice cream! I need to be careful that  I only  make exceptions for true special occasions.

Often what ends up happening is that these “special occasions” can become a daily even. They can easily turn into… I folded all the laundry! Yay! Lets get ice cream! I found my missing earring! Yay! Lets get ice cream!  I am having a great hair day!  Yay! Lets get ice cream!  Today is Wednesday! Yay! Lets get ice cream!  My Boston Terrier, Tessie, is super cute! Yay! Lets get ice cream!   See where I am going with this…(also, can you tell I like ice cream? :-))

My cute dog Tessie | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com
Look at that cute face!

While I have been on my Flab to FAB journey, I have had to start thinking about food and diet in a different way.  While good healthy food feels rewarding, food is fuel, not a reward.  Celebrating is fun, and celebrating with food is fun too, but it is not the only way to celebrate.

Instead of using food as a reward, I have been trying to reward myself in other ways.  Some ways include: getting a pedicure, buying new smaller clothes :-), getting some new makeup, or splurging on a new purse.  Sometimes the celebration is just giving myself a little bit of a break to sit down and read an extra chapter in a good book.  While I do still like to celebrate with food, I am slowly retraining myself to have a healthier relationship with food.

I hope that you found this helpful, and thank you for following along with me on my journey from Flab to FAB!

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Click HERE if you would like to read my previous Flab To FAB  posts.