New Year. New Choices.

As I stand in the queue at Sainsbury’s, I know how it looks: a couple of magazines, a small bottle of Prosecco, food which is clearly for one. I look like a sad singleton with nowhere to go to bring in the New Year. I smile to myself, because I know the truth.

I had loads of offers. Okay not loads but some. We had planned to go out for a swanky dinner with friends but as it got nearer the time I knew it was going to be a push for me. And I decided if I couldn’t easily take it in my stride I wasn’t going to go. I persuaded Husband to still go without me, so I could remove any feelings of guilt from my decision. (I know, I’m such a selfless wife!)

In an ideal world I would have gone but that didn't stop me from being happy with my choice; I don’t like eating too much at night anyway (don’t want to go to bed looking like a beached whale...) and I can’t drink very much (yep, party animal me..) Husband went out about 6.30pm and got back around 2 am. Mmm...long time to be the sober one! Anyway, I had other things to think about. I was busy planning my recovery (and fantasising about doing star jumps...)

My health was okayish in 2010. If I compared it to 2009, it was significantly better. I had lots of magical moments and some wonderful trips. (The year started with a month in Seville. Then we visited Marrakesh, Scotland, had a Baltic Adventure. We recently went to Venice and the year ended with a trip to the Norfolk Coast for Christmas.) But in some ways, I think I had got too comfortable with my new equilibrium of health. I was well enough to enjoy a certain quality of life and I think I may have subconsciously stopped pushing towards full health.

But a dip towards the end of the year made me realise I still have work to do. So whilst the dip was challenging it has actually been a catalyst to renew my focus on recovery. And that is EXCITING.

I have signed up for a new recovery programme. My plan is to carry on with all the good things that work for me: meditation, yoga, hypnotherapy, good diet, NLP techniques and then build on those with anything new I learn. My mind and heart are open. I know the answer is there somewhere and I know I am getting closer; I just have to keep working on it.

And then I got a bit carried away and signed up for another programme through my favourite blog Change Your Thoughts. The course is called Change your life in 28 days. This blog is so inspiring and the people who read and comment are fantastic ‘Cheer Leaders’. And I think those are the kind of people that will provide encouragement and inspiration as I carry on with my recovery journey.

So I poured myself a glass of Prosecco and sat on the sofa writing in my new recovery notebook (also in my singletons basket was a notebook, journal and folder) and worked on my recovery exercises. And I was thinking about all the wonderful things I have planned over the next few months: the ballet, my birthday lunch with friends, a trip to Tenerife, looking for a new apartment, a family get together for my birthday, a trip to Malaysia, my brother’s wedding, Saturdays with Bezzy Mate, Pilate's, Yoga – I could go on. I just feel I have so much to look forward to and working on maximising my health so I can make the most of these experiences - rather than just hoping for the best - feels amazing.

And as I got into bed at 10pm with my book, I felt happy. I was so glad I wasn’t in a busy restaurant with loud drunk people (sorry Husband!) At midnight I opened the blinds and watched the fireworks. It was perfect.

And on New Year’s Day I felt smug, because I had been kind to my body. It wasn’t hung-over, it wasn’t fat and it wasn’t exhausted. I welcomed in 2011 with some yoga and it felt great. Then we went off to the cinema in the afternoon and watched The Way Back - an inspiring film about the human spirit and survival, which was the perfect icing on my motivation cake.

I know I have to make some different choices this year to carry on improving my health. I am not sure what all of them are yet. But I do know I have made a great start by signing up for two inspiring programmes - and most importantly I have fancy new notebooks to track my progress.

What new choices are you going to make this year? Would love to hear your thoughts...x