Rewards

I didnt give up on my goal. Actually, I am quite proud of myself. I have gone to the gym twice so far for an hour each and my body is SORE. I also have it worked out with a friend that we are going to do a workout swap, in which I am going to watch her kids while she works out one day, and then another day, she will watch my kids for me. We are hoping to add in one more lady so that we each have two days a week that we will for sure work out, and then if we work out on Saturdays when our husbands are home, that will be a good three days every week. I am good with that at least for now. I am hoping that eventually I will get to 4 or 5 times a week.

I am also still working on the fine details of my goals, being that we have been a little busy here in the ol' homestead. However, I have decided that although my overall goal is 40 pounds, I am going to make some mini goals to reach it. First off, eating better. I know I need to define that better, but It includes cutting out sweets and sadly, I think I am going to have to cut out breads. (I love bread!!) This past week, I have been making myself some green smoothies, that include berries, spinach and flax seed. I have been using regular yogurt, but tomorrow I plan on going and getting greek yogurt and trying that out. (Any other suggestions on what I should include in them?)

Another mini goal that I am setting is that I am going to work out 3 times a week as mentioned earlier. It is going to be hard, but I know that I can do it. Yesterday, my mind kept telling me, "No dont go, you'll be fine, and you will have more time to spend with D." But I didnn't listen to the temptation. I went and am very proud of myself.

I also am going to focus on losing 5 pounds right now. I know that if I can succeed in losing 5, then I will feel a sense of accomplishment and want to do more! Although exercising and eating better provides its own form of reward, I was thinking that I should have some sort of reward for myself for completing each goal. I remember when I was in elementary, I put myself on a diet. (I really wish I had the kind of discipline that I had back then now.) I made myself work out every day after school, I ate healthy, and I was really proud of myself for doing it. Part of my reward for myself, and I have heard this several times throughout my life, is that I gave myself one day a week to have a treat. It was always Saturdays, but it gave me something to look forward to. Instead of feeling like I was working out and getting no pleasure, I allowed myself one day to forget about dieting and splurge in what I loved, sweets! It really did help and I stuck with it, and lost weight. Not as much as I wanted or should have, but I did it. And I am going to do it again. I think that reward system sounds good.

I have also read about other rewards that actually are better for you then splurging in sweets. My favorite is that when you meet your goal, you get to buy yourself something. I have already discussed this with D, and we agree that when I have met my overall goal, I am going to go out and buy myself a whole new wardrobe! This gets me excited and pumped to lose weight.

Another thing that I have done to "motivate" myself to work out may sound a bit silly, but so far it is working. When I got home from the gym the other night, I had my husband take a "before" picture me. I wanted it to be just a sports bra and boxers so that I could see the changes I am going to make. Then I went to my computer and put said pictures on my screen saver, as well as motivation sayings and quotes about why I want to get fit. Go here for some or to make your own. Now every time I turn on my computer, (which is a lot) I either see the body I dont want to have any more, or reasons for me to keep it up. It has worked so far.

What are your rewards that you give to yourself when you accomplish your goals?

Tomorrow was Yesterday

I read a quote somewhere once that said, "Tomorrow was yesterday." I dont know how many times I have told myself that "tomorrow I am going to start eating healthy." "Today's not a good day, so tomorrow I will start working out." Bla bla bla. Yeah, well tomorrow was yesterday. So today is the day. After getting up and getting the kids fed, I buckled them in the jogging stroller and went out for a walk. This was no short walk either, it was a 2 mile walk, that started out like my legs were going to fall off from itching. (I really hate when I first start walking and my legs itch like mad. Is this just me?) But as the walk progressed, things started getting a little less uncomfortable, and a little more sweaty. A good sweat though. I have been needing to go on a walk for so long, but keep using the excuse of , "It is soooo hot outside, I will start doing it when it cools down." or "I am so tired, I dont have the energy to go on a walk." (Yeah I know dumb excuses.)  Last night when I was talking to D, we both decided that it was time to get into shape. He has been lucky enough to start working out, and so he has a bit of a leg up on me, but that does not mean I can't start now. 

I know that some already know that we are planning to have another baby soon, and that we were going to start trying soon. However, after our discussion last night, we decided, (well really I decided, he is supportive of the idea though,) that I need to lose some weight before any more babies come along. I have reached my highest weight. (Not including pregnancy. However, when I was pregnant with L, I think I barely exceeded the weight I am right now and I am not pregnant.) And I just don't want to feel the way I feel anymore. I want to be able to buy smaller clothes and not have to buy bigger clothes to fit me. I want to have more energy. I want to be proud of myself. And this is not just about losing the weight. As my kids are getting older and more active, I am really hating that I cant keep up with them like I would like to or should be able to at my age.

Although I am starting today, I still need to sit down and write out a game plan. I know first of all that I want to lose 40 lbs. I know I want to do something active every day. I know I need to eat healthier, definitely cut out all the sweets. (My weakness!!) And I know that I want this to be a lifestyle change, not a diet. 

via 25.mediaMore of my game plan will be coming soon. What things have you used that work in your path to weight loss and a healthier lifestyle?

What's on the back of your card?

Recently my husband told me that one of the sports journalists that he listens to said something that struck him. It struck me too. He said that no matter what anyone says about an athlete, all he really is, are the stats on the back of his card. This makes sense for us too, I think. No matter what happens to us, no matter what our intentions are, we are what we push through and do anyways. You can either make excuses for what you haven't done, what you started and never finished, or what you did poorly, or you can buck up and do your best in spite of the reasons not to. The bottom line is, you are what you choose to do. You either overcome obstacles, or you let them be road blocks. Either way, what you make of your life is your decision.

The artist in me

I dont know about you, but I am always wondering to myself, "Self, what are you good at? What is your particular talent/s in life?" Yes, I talk to myself sometimes. ;)  Well, I have been giving it a great deal of though lately, especially since finishing up with school. Now that I have the time, (really?!?) I have been wanting to find my niche. That one thing that I love to do, and can call my own.

So as a goal to myself, I decided to discover what things I like to do and what makes me happy. I know I already have a few things, namely reading, singing, and being a goof. But I know there is more. Today I took that first step. I loaded the kiddos up in the van, drove 45 minutes to Joann's, (I hate that I have to go so far to get anywhere. So frustrating!!) and picked myself up a sketch pad and pencils. (Don't worry, I had other errands to run and things to pick up, I didnt make the trip just for paper.) Why you ask? Because I want to try my hand at drawing...and painting...and well you get the idea.

When I got home, I pulled up a tutorial on how to draw a butterfly, (That is what L told me to draw), and started at it. I found that it was actually very relaxing, even though I had noise and chaos going on around me. It took me to a place I could focus. And although I am by no means good at it, it was fun! So maybe I am on to something here!

Well?! I think it turned out pretty good for my first try! I am excited to learn new techniques and eventually start using colors. And I am excited to find something that I thought was fun, and not a chore. Sometimes I start things and I feel like I have to finish it, instead of I want to finish it.

What are some goals you have?

MOTIVATION!!

I love motivational quotes. Nothing gets my mojo going like words of encouragement that tell me "Yes you CAN!!" That is why I think it is only fitting to start off with some great words of wisdom. Maybe by doing this, we can spark something inside ourselves that says "I can do this, and I am going to do this!"

via Breathe-deep126

via Fitforinfinity
By the way, great site for motivational info/tips!

via Fitforinfinity

via Healthyisalwaysbetter

via Believe-toachieve

Now with those wonderful words of encouragement, it is time to get out there and set some goals. I have a few in mind, (okay a bazillion...), now all I need to do is do it. Because isn't that the first step in achieving anything...starting.

via Julieannart
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Now go out and make yourself proud!!