Today I thought to myself. Wednesday. That means taking the big LL Bean monogram canvas tote full of hubby's shirts, and bringing it to the dry cleaner after school drop-off. As I took the same exact route from school to dry cleaner I thought "gosh, how predictible am I?" I thought about perhaps my life, at times, is like the movie Groundhog Day. I thought about how each time I drop the shirts at the dry cleaner, I then make that quick turn into Shop Right. Then, after a quick shop, it's time to unpack, organize dinner and then have physical therapy. So why am I sharing my boring routine? Because I approach my diet and exercise the way I approach my Wednesday trips to the dry cleaner and Shop Right.
I always know exactly what I am going to eat. From morning (coffee, no breakfast) to lunch (early, half a can of skinless boneless sardines in water, 1/4 cup nonfat cottage cheese, salted tomato slices if we have a fresh one) to afternoon snacks (air popped popcorn) and later, half a Light & Fit yogurt and subsequently dinner...I have a routine. I know where I will be running every single day. If I leave any "ifs" with my exercise, the act of doing it will be called into question. Remember when I spoke of "absolutes" and stone cold rules I do not violate? Well, that is what has led me to have conotrol of my life, weight, fitness, etc. I don't have to make a lot of daily decisions that would call these things into question, because I live my life in structure. Not every moment is structured, and not every day follows the same order of events. In fact, I consider myself in many ways a "fly by the seat of my pants" sorta gal. I don't like to make concrete plans when I don't have to, because I love to wing it...except with my fitness and diet. In those ways, it is groundhog day here 365 days per year.
Why does this help, and how can this help you? If you are trying to lose weight, and think "I can't do it" or "it's too hard" then this is something you have to begin TODAY. Make a list of the rules you have for yourself...or you want for yourself. Be realistic, but firm.
1) No desserts, no added sugar, no high fructose corn syrup
2) No added carbs, particularly during the day (I get most people want a carb with dinner)
3) Exercise must be daily, in some form, and you have to sweat and really push it. This is non-negotiable. I'm not talking walking either (unless you are incapable of doing something more vigorous...and I mean incapable not thinking you aren't capable...of course make sure you have physician clearance to push it as I am not going to tell someone who could have a heart issue, or some other issue, to do something that isn't healthy). I run. I love to run. But you know what I love even more? Feeling healthy. Find something vigorous. Push it. Hate it if you wish, but do it. At LEAST 30 minutes. It's a rule here. I can't just say "i don't feel like it" because it's a rule. It's #3!!! :)
4) Food and exercise records (or training journal if you prefer).
This is it for now. If you can just start small, and begin with modest steps, or continue with modest steps, you can see which rules are most important for you, and which are most difficult to maintain, b/c that is probably what is most important.
Other added benefits of structure is that you will begin to find that stuff you used to consider a chore, and hard to integrate into your life, done without even thinking about it. I used to hate going to the dry cleaner and supermarket. Now it just happens, and I always have the foods I want, and hubby has his shirts done. It just works. What do you want to have as your Wednesday? Laundry (if you're like me, every day is laundry day)? Meal planning? Cleaning? I changed a loathesome event into something that helps me set up for the rest of the week. Would it probably be best on Monday? Maybe. But it wasn't working for me, and now it is. On Wednesday.
Anyway, for me today, now that I baked Red Velvet Cupcakes, a batch of brownies (for hubby's office), put up the chicken soup in the impossibly big Le Creuset and had PT...I can now focus on my Lobster Pot orders, working out and further decluttering. I'm started my Spring Cleaning about a week ago, and I can't wait to further my cause. Have a wonderful (and maybe a bit structured) day! And do NOT forget your workout! xoxo
Rules are interesting. When they are intrinsic, and there are no external consequences, are they really rules at all? But it definitely helps whether it's weight or anything else, to have a plan. Spur of the moment decisions tend towards greatest happiness in the moment. Often making choices that you rue later.
Side note, Seems that ST Valentines Day falls right on a former fertility feast day of ancient pagan religions. I for one would enjoy a return to holidays that featured more sex and less eating.
Posted by: Scott | February 17, 2011 at 08:20 AM