Now that I have a little more time on my hands, I feel like I can use some of it to focus on myself and my health. I want Hadley to have a healthy Mom, not only so that I can be around for a long time, but also build healthy eating habits of her own.
I want Hadley to be comfortable with herself, and be healthy at the same time. The last time I remember being truly comfortable with myself was years ago. I remembered that healthy and comfortable feeling, randomly, when I came across this old photo. It's not even the best picture of me, and I have plenty more pictures from when I was thin...but for some reason this picture brought all those feelings back. Maybe it's because it was taken when I was about to complete the Chicago Sprint Triathlon, and I was in great shape. I am using this picture as inspiration to get myself back to that fit person again (although I have no plans or time to train for a triathlon again).
That said, I am going to virtually "throw out" all of the excuses that I have used before, to fool everyone (namely myself) into thinking that it wasn't my fault that I have gained weight. Here they are. If any of you ever hear me utter these words again, please call me out on it.
"I start my diet next week". This would be all well and good, if I weren't using it as an excuse to binge in the present time. I have used this excuse, and truly believed it, a million times over.
"I can eat whatever I want if I just workout." Untrue. I recently started exercising (strenuously, at that) almost every day of the week. I have seen little to no difference on the scale as of yet, because I haven't truly embraced the diet.
"I don't need to use the scale- I'll just go by how my clothes fit." This may work for some people, true. However, for me, I just start reverting to my "fat clothes" and convince myself that things just shrunk in the dryer, or blame John for putting something in the dryer that he wasn't supposed to (sorry hubby).
"I fell off the wagon today [Tuesday], so I will just start fresh next week [Monday]." This is kind of in the same vein as my first excuse, but it's a little bit different. It's one thing to fall off the wagon- we all do from time to time. However, why on earth was I thinking that it would be better to wait nearly a week before getting back on? This, I think, is the main reason why I am where I am today.
There you have it. I have made countless excuses over the years, but those are my most common.
I am trying to adopt a new way of thinking: One day at a time. I have a long way to go to get to my goal, so I need to take it slowly.
Can I really give up burgers, french fries and cookies for the rest of my life? No, I can't. However, can I hold off on those tasty treats for today? Sure I can.
Can I really run 3 miles a day for the rest of my life when I hate running? No, I can't. Can I fit in a run today? Sure I can.
One day at a time. Starting now.
Anyway...What excuses are holding you back? Care to fess up?
Jill, you have summed the situation for 95% or more of the population, including myself, that are overweight. I have been sick for over a week now and am finding out how little I need to eat. I have lost 8 lbs. in the past week. Thankfully I am not hungry, but dread the day my appetitle picks up.
ReplyDeleteI also used the excuse that I couldn't go more than a few hours without eating because of my diabetes. After 8 years of being a diabetic I am finally absorbing what the diabetic instructor tried to impress on me way back when. Eating every few hours doesn't mean to sit down have a full meal. It means save something from your small meal to eat when you have to take medication, or your sugar starts to drop. I also found out that candy, sugar, or regular soda is not the best thing to have. Your sugar will raise just as quickly if you have a teaspoon of low fat peanut butter on a light piece of multi grain bread.
Keep reminding me of these things!! I need a coach, and God Bless him, Earl is not it. I go on a diet and he buys cookies, cake, or candy.
I am proud of the fact that I have not opened the 3 1/2 lb bag of M&M's.
I would be glad to be a support to you. I will back you up all the way. Hadley is one the best reasons I know of to be healthy. Started to type try to be healthy and changed it. Need to try out of my thoughts and think I will.
Mom Morgan: I am happy to give you the support that I can give. You will get there- just keep doing what you're doing. Take it one "sneal" at a time. (get it? Snack + Meal = Sneal?) If you fall off course, don't wait until the next day to get back on.
Delete:-)
Great post Jill!! I think I've used all those excuses (except for the one about, if I work out, I can whatever I want) in the past months. The only reason I haven't used the workout one, is that workout habits (while not competely gone yet), have been very inconsistent the past three months, so I have not justification to even try to use that excuse. I am going to try your approach to the diet and exercise...one day at a time!
ReplyDeleteThanks Meg!
DeleteYou've been busy these past three months, so give yourself a break and get back on track to feeling better ;-)
Miss you!