This is a post I don’t want to write. It keeps dropping in priority on my to-do list.

Why write it if I don’t want to? Because I HAVE to.

You see, at the beginning of October, I issued a Beloved Body Wellness Challenge – one I felt/feel is really important – and I didn’t do so well. And I’m embarrassed. I challenged myself and all of you to identify something – a habit, a belief, etc. – that keeps you from being the healthiest and happiest version of yourself. In summary, mine was a lack of moderation with sweets, so my challenge was to not eat sweets while watching TV (i.e., eliminating mindless overeating).

I was strong the first few days of October, but then the Vice Presidential debate was on TV and I ate my dinner while watching it. You guessed it: then I ate dessert while watching it. With some things in life I tend to have an ‘all or nothing’ personality. So, once I ‘failed’ my own challenge, my commitment waned. There were a few times after I ‘broke down’ that I drank tea instead of eating sweets while watching my favorite show or ate my dessert at the kitchen table as I promised I’d do. But that didn’t happen very often.

At the end of October, I told myself maybe people will have forgotten about the last challenge so I don’t need to write about my experience, but I knew deep down that I had to write this post. If I don’t write about my struggles then I’m contributing to the very thing I’m trying to fight: this perception of perfection  – perfect bodies, the best kids, the sweetest spouse, the most exciting social calendar, the perfect life – that is often projected in the media and social media. If I’m going to write this blog, I have to be real.

So my reality is I didn’t do so well on the challenge, but I’m going to move forward. And I’m going to continue to work on moderation. Because being healthy and happy isn’t limited to a week or month-long challenge. It’s a decision we make each day.

How did the challenge go for you?