If you have been following my progress on this journey then you know a couple of things about me.
1) I have made too many excuses in the past
2) I need a kick-start in my ass to really get things moving
3) I have the knowledge and the resources, just need to make things happen!
When we last visited I was excited to announce that I had lost about 9-10 lbs since starting my weight loss plan ( outlined here: http://bit.ly/9uPXmc ). Since then I have continued to try to make better food choices, drink more water, get more sleep (this is being realized as more and more important!) and to exercise and MOVE whenever I can.
Upon hoping on the scale last night I am happy to report I haven’t gained any weight back on, (and this was after a 3 day vacation!) but no more has been lost. I know it’s because my workout routine has not been up to par, and that is because I’m not getting good sleep every night that is conducive to making a morning workout happen.
**Warning…useless excuses follow here**
After a day at the office, picking up my son, playing, dinner, bath, story time I finally find myself able to get horizontal, relax and indulge myself into some mindless entertainment. Whether that be whatever is on the DVR or the book I’m trying to get into, I find myself awake at 1 in the morning. Then I’m cursing myself that I didn’t just go to bed at 10 when I knew I was tired enough to fall asleep!
Now what this creates in the morning is the hour and half battle with the snooze button on my alarm clock. Every 10 minutes this thing goes off – reminding me that I need to get the f*@! out of bed and get my morning started. But alas, all of a sudden it’s 8:23 and now I have to rush to get my son ready for school, get him dropped off and then make it to work by 9. Oh I forgot to mention feeding the dog, the cat, the fish and shower and digging through the pile of laundry that has yet to be put away to find something to wear.
Get more organized Amy!
Well, duh.
Ok….so lessoned learned this go round? In order to make changes in your life, even if it’s only one aspect – you have to be prepared. Completely. Starting a weight loss plan involves preparing your brain, the fridge and your self-disciple. What I have realized now is it also involves having your laundry put away, laying out clothes the night before, setting a reasonable wake-up time, and going to bed early the night before.
It’s not just about choosing mustard over mayo, veggie over beef, or salad over fried chicken. It’s about having your life organized, controlled and setting up routines. Maybe I’m awake so late at night because I know other things aren’t taken care of, and my brain is trying to straighten everything out. I’m sure I would sleep better at night also if I was exercising more during the day.
Notice these are all things that I know, and realize, but just need to actually MAKE HAPPEN. So I am making this vow, before GOD and all AC Content readers!! If I – the world’s worst procrastinator and someone who lacks more self-discipline then Lindsey Lohan – can make this happen then there IS hope left in the world.
I vow to make REAL changes in my life to get myself on track. SO what this involves is cleaning my house. HAH. Sounds easy enough – just need to find the time. Clutter needs to go, clothes put away, pantry gone through again, etc etc….spring cleaning in the summer. Once my house is in order, and KEPT in order then my brain can focus on relaxing…..
So new item to add to the checklist of weight loss – make sure unnecessary distractions are taken care of. You will be amazed how just having a clean house will make you feel. If your sitting around, upset that you didn’t get your workout in, then look around at your dirty house you are more inclined to head to the fridge to start looking for the emergency package of cookie dough.
Because you already feel like a failure; with your diet, and then your surroundings so why not just finish the cycle with stuffing your face full of sugar and chocolate? Stop the cycle! Have all your ducks in a row and you will feel better!
This can also be extended to work. Stop slacking on AC all day and actually finish that project ;) Facebook can wait so you feel productive and accomplished at the end of the day. To many distractions beat down our door everyday, and finding a way to say no to them makes you feel better every time you show self-control. And it’s not just with food!
So till next time our goals are productivity, organization and self-discipline in daily routines. At work and home. Ready, set, go!
