Saturday, April 30, 2016

Setting Goals And Reaching Them

Day 6 and the thought has occurred to me that this 30 day challenge will not benefit me one iota if I don't make the lifestyle changes needed to continue whatever improvements I achieve. Big deal, I've lost 5 pounds but that will only come back if I stop following the program on May 24. I now have some very important things to think about.

Number 1, This isn't about how much weight I can lose, it's about how I can learn to live a healthier lifestyle. There is a part of me that gets that, that knows this has to happen and that has to happen. I get it, I do, but will I follow through on it? I've had 2 years to do it and I just keep backsliding and not really getting to my goal.

Number 2. Being healthy, losing weight is 80% the food we eat and 20% the exercise. The weight I lost, though small, occurred during times when I managed for a few days to do the right things. Somehow I get to a point where I begin to feel deprived because I can't eat the mashed potatoes and gravy or the big piece of apple pie with ice cream. When I get to feeling deprived I get angry, mildly depressed and then instead of having 1 piece I eat that and then candy, cookies, etc. I medicate with food. I need to replace that habit with something else I enjoy that requires movement.

Number 3. I need to get real about my daily habits. It's OK to turn on the computer during breakfast, but I let it get out of hand instead of shutting it off and setting about doing things. Thank you Swiffer for manufacturing the tools that allow lazy people to make their homes look clean even when they might not be. I don't remember the last time I took all the books off the shelf and actually dusted the shelf. See what I mean?

Number 4. I need to get out of the house once in awhile and attend events like the gallery shows for local artists. Or just wander around farmers markets and flea markets. Something that will inspire me to try new things. New foods, new ideas. Maybe pick up some decorating ideas for when we finally find our new home.

Number 5. Tomorrow I'm going to the local garden centers and look into some container gardening ideas. I doubt we'll be moving until the Fall, maybe I can grow a few things, a few veggies in some containers on my deck. Even if all I decide on is tomatoes and a bush of green beans, it will give me some home grown goodness to look forward to.

9 comments:

  1. I like number 5 :-) The rest of them kind of felt like I was reading about myself LOL. Maybe I need to start doing some thinking about my own lifestyle and making some changes. You are doing great with this "journal" Sherry. You are going to do great with this whole journey and I bet you will continue on even once this is over.

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    1. One thing this journal is doing is occupying my thoughts enough so that I have nothing to say to Blogster inhabitants.

      I need to figure out the best way to accomplish what I need and then stick to it. I need to find a way to take this change out of the self control column and place it in the habit column. Not so easy for me or I'd have gotten it right by now.

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    2. Maybe if you can stick with it till the end, it will have become a habit :-)

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    3. I hope so. My arthritis is getting worse and all this weight on my joints isn't helping me stay comfortable or active enough.

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  2. yeah I would have to agree with Lia, sounds like me too. I know I need to eat healthier and get more exercise. You're a source of inspiration, Sherr. :)

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    1. The first person I need to inspire is me. Only then will I manage to achieve my goal.

      I'm in pain tonight. Some dingbat whacked me in the sacroiliac with a fully loaded Walmart shopping cart yesterday. The check out gal that is good friends with my DIL saw it and she told Amy it was intentional and a hard shove. I don't need that kind of thing, I have issues with my spine as it is and I need it to be less painful so I can walk.

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  3. Sherry you nailed it with the idea of lifestyle changes. Thanks for sharing here because it does inspire me elsewhere.

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    1. None of this will do me any good if I don't make the changes necessary. I'm going to learn to keep the computer shut off until AFTER I do what I should do every day. I promise myself I'll be online for an hour and 3 hours later I'm still here. That has to stop.

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