OK!

I’ve been silent for nearly two weeks – very abnormal behavior for me. No, I haven’t lost my mind, moved to Antarctica, and dedicated myself to studying penguins or anything. Although, I do hear cold weather boosts your base metabolic rate…

I made a promise to myself to fully disconnect over the holidays – from work, from writing, and from dieting – and just enjoy the company of my family and friends.

I never thought I’d actually follow through with that promise (I mean, really, who can stay away from blogging and checking work email?) and I shocked myself by not only disconnecting from everything, but by not even CARING that I was disconnected. I ate when I wanted to eat, I went for a run when I felt like running, and I put my phone on silent when I heard the ping announcing a new work email had arrived.

It was amazing. It was freeing. It was rejuvenating.

And guess what?

The world didn’t end.

No disasters occurred in the office. I didn’t turn into a giant balloon of fat, my muscles didn’t deteriorate, and my clothing still fits – albeit, a little tighter than they did before the holidays.

This was a good reminder to me that BALANCE is the key to all things in life: balancing work with life, socialization with private time, diet with the occasional cheat meal, and exercise with the infrequent lazy day on the couch.

I feel very recharged. I feel very optimistic. I feel like it’s a new year.

I commit to posting here more frequently, so brace yourself for recipes (mostly Paleo), weigh-ins, photos, updates, and motivational pictures. We’re going to make 2014 a great year of health, fitness, and BALANCE!

Bon appetit, my friends, and let’s get started!

~ Tori