The Multivitamin Quandary

I have to say that when I shared the link to my last post on Facebook, I certainly didn't expect the showers of love and encouragement that came from it. Thank you -- so, so, SO much -- to all of you who have expressed an interest in this journey. Putting myself out there like this is frightening (almost moreso than the weight loss itself) because now the inner critic in my head is freaking out over what it views as "pressure to perform." Oh yes, the what-if's and I-can't-do-this! spent quite awhile swirling around in my head yesterday before the part of me that is newly in control (that part which struggles to break free from said inner critic) managed to bring things down to a more reasonable state. And I had to be reminded of this truth -- a journey like this absolutely CAN NOT be accomplished alone. Every wish for success, every "you can do it!" uttered is just one more person added to my accountability/cheering section. I love you all for it; it's made these first few days of this whole endeavor that much easier, and again I thank you.

Now, as for that multivitamin. I've never had much luck with these things. We took vitamins for awhile as kids -- those chewable Flintstone ones. And yes, we fought over who had to eat the grape ones. Neither of us liked them, so naturally there were several left once all the other flavors were gone. But since about 5th grade on I just haven't had much to do with vitamins. There's only been one other time I've tried multivitamins, and that was back in college. Mom thought it would be a good idea to start a vitamin regimen, so we found some Women's One-a-Day and started taking them. For a couple days, at least.

From what I remember, it was awful. I have a sensitive digestive system, and the added iron plus who knows what else wreaked havoc. I promptly gave up the habit and have thought very little of it since. Til now, of course, when taking a multivitamin is strongly encouraged to help aid weight loss and promote healthy living. I'm not thrilled by the idea. There is a large bottle of the things sitting on my nightstand. They've been there for a couple weeks now. And the seal isn't even broken yet.

To be perfectly honest, it's embarrassing to admit that I'm afraid of taking a vitamin.

Still, the part of me that wants this to work actually wants to take them. I guess it's one of those "the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak" moments. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad now that I'm actually paying attention to what I eat. And maybe choosing a certain time for taking it would help, too. But I just keep putting it off and putting it off. Much like how I've handled most anything in my life I've never really wanted to do. Or rather, did want to do but never actually wanted to do the work to get there. Because it was unpleasant. Or boring. Or painful. But if I'm going to do this whole heartedly, I have to do EVERYTHING. Not just those things that seem easy.

Tomorrow will mark another first. I'll be joining my sister and a friend for Zumba night. Provided I don't hurt myself, that should prove to be an interesting experience ripe with blog fodder.

Now for bed . . . and a showdown with that vitamin.