I read a quote by a Nobel Prize Winning Author, Albert Camus. He said, "Life is the sum of all your choices." And that's exactly what it is. Every single minute of every single day, our lives our made up of choices we make, whether good or bad. I guess I had never thought about that before. But, when I grumble, complain and whine about where I am at this point in my life, I am the one that made the choices that got me here. I have no one to blame except me. A lot of times I made choices without really contemplating the end result or the consequences, which most often came from being young and immature.

But, you would think that as we age and get older and wiser, our choices would be more thought out and well planned. However, here I am at middle age, weighing more than I have in my entire life, feeling horrible about the way I look and feel, and asking myself how did I let myself do this? DUH! Simply because I made choices without really thinking about where they would take me. Now in middle age, and having to help care for my elderly mother, I find myself thinking, I sure don't want to end up in a nursing home when I get older; I really don't want to suffer from osteoporosis or degenerative diseases; I don't want to have to rely on canes and walkers as I age, and wow, I now have a grandchild, how will I be able to play with him and keep up to him?

Being young(er) we never think about getting old. Youth live in the now and worry about the future later. That was my number one mistake. However, always being thin and never having to worry about my weight, I never really thought about the choices I made where my weight was concerned. After turning 30 I noticed my body changing, but still the thought never occurred to me to take better care of myself or I would pay for my unwise choices. That was my second mistake. Now in middle age and actually seeing in others the results of poor choices, I'm asking myself if I'm headed down the same road.

I want to be not only thin again, but a healthy thin. I was to feel good, look good, be agile and able to get around with no pain or discomfort. I want to know when I go to the doctor for my annual physical, I will pass all my tests with flying colors. I want to be a healthy example for my family, friends and acquaintences I meet. I want to run with my grandchildren and not have to worry about being able to get back up again off the floor or have to stop frequently to regain my wind. I want to have a glow about me again and feel I am living my best life.

I am quickly learning that all of this is attainable and is already within me. It's simply a choice I have to make every morning when I open my eyes. Yes I know I will not always make perfect choices, but I can make choices to the best of my ability and know I will suffer the consequences when I do accidentally mess up. I do not have to be perfect, but I need to try to make the best choices for me at that point in time. Having a healthy lifestyle is a choice I want and have to make. I am learning if I want to be healthy I have to choose to do what I know I have to do, not necessarily because I want to do it, but because I need to do it. It is A choice and must be MY choice. I know too that it may not always be the fun choice, but its the choice that will be best for me in the long run. Having a healthy lifestyle is not a destination, but a way of life. And I want that to be my choice!