3.3.2014

Two weeks ago I started with a goal of having 100% diet compliance for 6 weeks. 

I'm learning that it's great to have long term goals, but it's essential to have shorter term goals, weekly goals, and daily goals. 

I've only been doing ok on my goal. Actually. I can't say that at all. I never made a strict plan of meal 1 thru meal 6 so it's hard to say that I've been compliant or not. I HAVE been logging some meals on myfitnesspal.com and that's really an awesome tool. I also downloaded LBC's (lean bodies consulting) app for substitutions. 

I went away for the weekend and totally indulged. I drank wine, ate white bread...had a great time. But I didn't stick to my goal. 

Looking forward, I'm setting my goal for FOUR WEEKS 100% compliance. I will definitely need to set aside time to set up a meal grid.  And I will need to prioritize logging my meals on myfitnesspal.com, and blogging everyday. 

Today, I was carrying around fatigue that has built up over the past two weeks. So I took a nap. I also caved to my craving of pizza and shrimp and corn chowder. And a piece of chocolate brownie cheesecake. 

However, when I woke up, I wanted NOTHING more than I wanted a burger from Texas Roadhouse, with a baked potato. I really didn't think I had it in me to fight off that craving, but the longer I sat with it, the more I realized that this was a moment when I needed to remember this: when you are chasing a goal, you cannot let THE WAY YOU FEEL decide WHAT YOU CHOOSE TO DO. The only difference between who I am, and who I want to be is WHAT I DO. 

Today I chose to drink apple cider vinegar as a detox, write my blog, and go to bed. 

I should get started thinking about a reward for four weeks of compliance!

2.19.2014

In keeping with the theme of being ready for a change, I am really happy to say that I stepped out of my comfort zone and learned something about myself. 

I am BORED with my food, and that's why it's so hard to stay on my plan. With THAT revelation I began to see the practical application of the idea "make it a lifestyle change". I had been prepping my chicken and salad thinking subconsciously "this is temporary" and therefore WAITING for the day I could EAT AGAIN!

So just recently, I realized that I need to ENJOY cooking for myself, taking care of myself (doing the dishes, grocery shopping, etc) and I need to spend time finding recipes I like. Maybe over time baked chicken and greens will be what I crave, but for now, I've learned I've got to make changes I can stick with. 

Today the thought of, "So I will have to eat this way FOREVER" downright horrified me. And I realized I hadn't made a mindset change. 

So I'm working on that. 

I also realized that I manage my time much like I manage my money: I do what I feel like. So I'm also doing more planning, and most importantly, EXECUTING that plan. That said, it's after my bedtime. Good night!

2.18.2014

Everything about my life right now is screaming that I am ready for a change. I've been working too hard and ended up getting sick over the weekend. That never happens. 

But the *change* urge showed up while I was feeling so sick and tired that I couldn't DO anything at the moment. Right now, it's really about wanting my surroundings to be clutter-free and organized, and wanting the same thing for my time. 

For tonight, my food is ready, my gym bag is packed and I'm ready for tomorrow!

1/22/2014

I learned another AWESOME LESSON about not telling people about my goal. I would USE "my goal" to explain why I can't/won't do certain things that people ask me to do. But now that tool is taken away because I can't say: "sorry, I really want to go to your party because it will hurt my goal."  Nope. Now I have to say no and not really explain. And deal with the consequences. 

AND IT IS AWESOME. 

I discovered that all along, while I was doing that, I was desperately hoping that the other person would VALUE MY GOAL enough to let me off the hook. But NOW, I have to VALUE MY OWN GOAL enough to make decisions that serve it WITHOUT getting approval from other people. 

And you know, it's not that much harder, but it is SO MUCH BETTER. I really feel like this thing is MINE. Nobody else can make or break this for me. 

1/14/2014

It's 7:50pm and I am in bed! Which is great because for two nights now, I've gotten six hours of sleep. So tonight I'm going to try to make up for that. 

I am SUPER tired-my job was pretty taxing today, and I really worked my back this morning. So, I am both physically and mentally tired. 

I am awfully proud of myself though. I ate according to plan today, although I only had four meals on account of going to bed so early and eating my first meal at 7:30am. 

I intended to look at my meal plan tonight but I simply do not have the energy. I will look at it tomorrow and also add it to myfitnesspal.com. 

Also tomorrow I plan on taking before pics and entering the transformation contest on bb.com. At first I only wanted to enter to try and win. But now I want to enter just to be surrounded by people who are doing the same thing I'm doing. Also, I want to enter to transform MYSELF. That's the real prize, regardless of if you win anything. 

1/13/2014

I had a very well-disciplined day today. I ate my meals practically on time. 

That's all fine and great, but I STILL haven't sat down and counted calories to make a plan. That's important because I find that when I don't have concrete, measurable goals, I find it's ok to have a bowl of cereal at 7:30pm because there are not clear indicators of whether that is going to derail my efforts or not. 

I've been struggling with if I should eat clean or if I should simply stay in my calorie range while still allowing myself treats. That's something that Lean Bodies Consulting does. They allow for a post-workout treat. 

I have been allowing for two or three treats during the day and I'm not measuring if it's making any change. 

So I'm thinking I need to bring it down to ONE treat, once a day. 

Then I can start really measuring whether or not I'm making progress. 

Chances are, right now I'm not. 

I do need to celebrate that yesterday after work I REALLY wanted something that would hurt my goals. I wanted Chick-Fil-A or a soup from Wegmans. However, I made the decision to drive home and have chicken with salad and a sweet potato. It worked! It did the trick. 

Now I can build on that success!

1/8/2014

I am TIRED. Every day I've been so tired. Today I didn't even get up until 6:45. Meant to get up at 6!

Anyway, I did half of my leg workout, but I'm ok with that. I was running late. 

I ate GREAT today. The big win is that I went to bed at 7:30. My goal this week was to be in bed by 8 and tonight was the first night I did it. Hooray for me. 

I'm going to read until I'm ready to sleep.