Hey, They Call Me Connie…

I always end up making blog posts about what I am doing. You know, all the shiny new habits I’m working into my routine, all the ways I’m basically crushing it. But let’s be real—I rarely talk about the stuff I’m not doing or where I’m dropping the ball. No one wants to admit where they’re falling short, but if you’re serious about self-improvement, you’ve got to face that slightly unhinged version of yourself in the mirror, the one who smirks and says, “So… we’re still not drinking enough water, huh?”

It’s hard, right? No one likes to feel like they’re lacking. But spoiler alert: we’re all lacking something. Somewhere, somehow, we’re missing a piece, and pretending we aren’t is only making the piece bigger. For me, the shadow in the mirror is pointing out the goals I’ve set and the ways I keep dancing around them.

One of those goals? Mastering my diet. If there’s one thing I hate, it’s being sick. Honestly, I’ll take anything else over the misery of being bedridden. I even gave up drinking because I hated how dehydrated I felt. Nauseous, dry-mouthed, and feeling like my body was trying to turn against me after a single drink? No, thank you. So, I cut alcohol out because I actually enjoy listening to my body when it whispers, “Uh, this isn’t working for us anymore.” Except when it comes to sweets. We don’t talk about that. Yet.

But hydration is where I’ve been dropping the ball lately. And no, I’m not just talking about chugging gallons of water. (Though, fun fact: I used to down a gallon a day like it was a casual Tuesday.) I’ve been making my own juices, which has been a lifesaver, but at some point, I realized I’m juicing everything except water. My body’s like, “Cool watermelon juice, but how about something a little more… clear?” So, I’m getting back to drinking actual water. Not watermelon-flavored, not mixed into smoothies, just plain old water. Groundbreaking, I know.

Also, bread. Let’s talk about bread. I love sourdough—it’s like the cleanest of the breads, right? But I’ve been leaning on it a little too much. When I realized I was using sourdough as a substitute for actual meals (you know, with greens and protein), I knew it was time for a break. Not a breakup, just a break. Like, “It’s not you, sourdough. It’s me. I need space.” My next grocery trip? Bread’s not invited. I’m focusing on getting my balance back, which means more veggies, more protein, and fewer “quick” sourdough meals that trick my brain into thinking I’m full when I’m definitely not.

And here’s the kicker: I’ve been eating less meat lately, not intentionally, but because sometimes I just don’t feel like it. I’ve dabbled with veganism before and loved discovering new foods, but I didn’t plan it well. I ended up eating way too many carbs and not nearly enough protein, which didn’t exactly help me reach my fitness goals. This time around, I’m trying to be more intentional on my meatless days, making sure I’m still getting enough protein to stay on track.

Now, you’d think after losing 43 pounds and keeping it off, I’d have this whole workout thing down. Nope. My life isn’t exactly predictable, so consistency is a challenge. But I’ve been sneaking in mini workouts here and there—my “mom workouts,” as I call them—and I want to get more structured about it. The goal isn’t just to tone up (though let’s be honest, looking cute in my jeans is definitely a perk). It’s also about using movement as a form of spiritual practice. Yep, you heard me right. I want to make working out part of my gratitude routine. Not just to God, but also to myself. Because let’s face it, this is the only body I’ve got, and I want it to be able to keep up with my five-year-old.

Speaking of which, she’s five, so basically, that means I’m five too, right? I need to stay active because I want to keep up with her energy. And that means getting on the yoga mat every day, not just when the stars align and I’ve checked everything else off my to-do list. Yoga makes me feel amazing—it clears my mind, relaxes my body, and keeps me sane. But making the time for it? Yeah, I’m still working on that.

I’ve also been toying with the idea of signing back up for Peloton. I love the instructors and the vibe, but the bike drama I went through has me hesitant. Still, I’ve got all these amazing fitness instructors in my Instagram feed motivating me, and I’m thinking, maybe it’s time to jump back in. Do I see myself doing 45-minute workouts? Probably not. But a solid 20 or 30 minutes? That’s doable. And if I can pair that with my clean eating, we might just be onto something.

Now, let’s get real for a minute: I’ve always been the person who plays it safe. I’ve got enough risk-takers in my circle that I feel like someone has to be the stable one. You know, the one who lives to tell the story afterward. But lately, I’ve realized playing it safe doesn’t get you anywhere. I’ve been stepping out of my comfort zone here and there, trying new things, and honestly, it’s been exciting. I’m ready to take more risks—career-wise, creatively, even socially. But I’m not going to spill all the details yet, because if I say it out loud, I might chicken out. So, I’m just going to quietly do the thing and report back later.

Last but not least, I’ve been thinking about how I want to give back more. I used to volunteer a lot, but life got in the way, and I haven’t made time for it lately. Now that my daughter is old enough to understand, I think it would be great for us to start volunteering together. It’s important to me that she grows up knowing the value of giving back, and I’m excited to explore ways we can do that as a family.

So, those are the things I’m focusing on for the rest of the year. It’s not just about improving myself for the sake of it, but also for the people around me. Every choice we make impacts the people we love, and becoming a better version of myself benefits my family as much as it does me. And hey, if you’re on a similar journey, feel free to share what’s been working for you. We’re all in this together, and as long as we’re trying, we’ve still got a shot. Right? We’ve got a chance.