Remember, I am just now recognizing the new person I hope to become and with that journey there will be bumps! Everything lately is a learning experience, new things around every turn. No more details, but know that I am continuing to look for Just Julie adventures.
Tomorrow I am meeting with Sara Williams to talk about the fundraiser for the girls' basketball team summer program. I am hopeful that we will make an agreement and I can get to work right away. These personalized pendants will be fun to make and, hopefully, will put some much-needed money in my pockets. Andrew had a fender-bender in the high school parking lot this morning, so we will need to deal with those bills..........does it never end?
I missed walking all last week because of weather and other activities. I missed it and really enjoyed walking this afternoon, although I didn't walk as much as I was before last week. I read somewhere that you have to do an activity for a certain span of time before it becomes a habit..........does anyone remember that statistic? I fell off the healthy eating wagon last weekend too, but it doesn't appear I have gained any of the 22 pounds back as of this morning. Of course, the Reese's Peanut Butter egg didn't help after school today. Thanks Mom! HA!
So my question tonight, how do you keep the motivation alive after the novelty has worn off? That, I think, is where I find myself now. I had some pretty specific goals related to last weekend and now I need to set some new ones.
Here I am sporting my black eye from a few days ago. This was only one in a series of freak things that happened! (Cordless phone flew up and hit me square in the eye) God smiled and then did a belly-laugh!
First of all... 22 POUNDS!!! THAT IS FANTASTIC!!! :)
ReplyDeleteSecondly, don't beat yourself up for missing walking. OR for the eating choices that may or may not have been that great. I truly believe that our minds can be one of our biggest obstacles. If we let our minds tell us that we have somehow failed or dropped the ball, then we can say 'oh, it's just not worth it' or 'I just can't do it right', etc. This is a LIFE change and A) that doesn't come easily and B) it is a long term goal, not short term hits or misses. The best thing to do is just get back in there. It is a new day! Fresh start. NO GUILT!
You are doing a FANTASTICALLY!
As for goals, what I have done is set a super long term goal (for me it was to lose 60 pounds in 9 months). And as I am getting closer to that goal I am worried whether I will make it. The pounds are coming off a lot slower at this point in the journey than they were early on. However, whether I get my last 12-13 pounds off by June 1 isn't really the point. The point is that I have come so far! And I know that I WILL get those last pounds off... even if it is a tad bit later than my initial long term goal. :)
I also have had shorter term goals that help spur me on. Things like wanting to get to a certain size before I purchase clothing for the warmer season. Or wanting to look decent (and different!) for a family get together. Or knowing I would be having my picture taken for some event. Those shorter term goals can keep you focused and help with daily motivation.
Finally, I truly believe that having someone that you schedule to walk with is a key. Many, many times I KNOW I wouldn't have walked if I hadn't known that Tracey would be there waiting for me. I know I could have talked myself out of it. But, I didn't want to let her down, so I went. (and was always glad I did!) :) I know she would say the exact same thing about me. The key is that accountability. We will go further and try harder for someone else. :) And in the process, we develop those habits you are talking about, receive encouragement from someone 'in the trenches' with us, and have the joy of chatting and friendship (which in itself is life enriching). All good stuff. :)
I'd love to walk with you sometime!
Jeez... didn't mean for my comment to be as long as your initial post! Man, I am too wordy...
ReplyDeleteIf you are visual person a couple of things you can do are: 1) Sounds cheesy but take some before pictures and refer to these. That helps to keep the motivation going forward. 2) make two vases and label them "pounds to loose" and "pounds lost" I use glass flower stones. I have a half of a bag if you want them. It is pretty exciting to see one vase empty as the other one fills up.
ReplyDeleteI have also been keeping a gratitude journal, writing in it each night what you are thankful for. This helps to keep a positive attitude.
And, like Laura commented, don't beat yourself up over what you eat and missing your exercise. Tomorrow is another day.