Assessing changes

I've been pursuing my goals of daily physical activity and losing weight for 22 days now. So far I have gained 2 pounds. That's aggravating. But I do know that now I can walk more than 2 miles in a day without falling over, and I do seem to have the ability to do more things each day, so I think that I am on the right track.

It's certainly helping me mentally and emotionally. I haven't felt this hopeful about my physical condition in a long time. I've got a sense of pride about my walking. I've signed up for the Spark Into Spring Virtual 5K, something that I never would have thought about prior to Feb. 12. I'll be a walkathon of one, competing only against myself but participating with over5,000 people from all over. I'm going to consider it practice for the day that I finally do a live one when they hold them in my area. I have been too ashamed of my body and in too poor a shape to do one yet, but I have 6 weeks to prepare my body and attitude, and I am going to do it. I will be very proud of myself on that day, and I intend to tell everyone that I know!

Even though I've only been using SparkPeople for 22 days, I've been working on my Happiness Project since November 2010. Today I decided to sit back for a bit and contemplate whether I am happier now. I think the answer is yes. I have regular activities at the church 4 times a week, a standing social commitment every Saturday, a job that I can handle. I'm much less isolated, feel much less helpless. I have a life that is sufficiently full but has the capacity to expand.

I blog every day and I have found it an excellent way to work through new ways of thinking and doing things. I can see changes in myself as I look back over old blog entries. Someday I hope I look at this entry and say, "Wow, I thought I was happy then, but I'm so much happier now!" I have hope now, and that's how my life is different from it was when I started the project.