As I shared before, I’m trying very hard to create a healthier lifestyle for myself.
I wish I could say it’s been easy, but that would be lying.
But, since January 13th, when I decided to make a change, I’ve worked out more days than I have not. I know eating meals can’t be a free for all. I know it’s better to eat at home and bring my lunch. I know that my favorite sandwich at Jason’s Deli (California Club) has more than 800 calories in it. I know that I could eat it if I wanted, but know that’s probably not the best choice. I know that a glass or two of wine is ok, but I feel better about drinking those glasses if I’ve worked out.
A one day at a time mindset has worked for me. I try to do my best. I track my exercise and food daily. And I give myself a free day per week, and try not to go too crazy. But if I do, I don’t beat myself up.
This weekend, Jacque came to visit and we had friends over for dinner on Friday night. I didn’t work out Friday or Saturday.
But today I knew what I had to do.
I planned on doing about 3 miles or 45 minutes of walking/jogging on the treadmill. A couple times recently, I’d actually jogged 2 miles without stopping, so I hoped to start with 2 miles. It was really tough getting going. But I challenged myself. As I was getting close to 1 mile, I bargained with myself that I could stop when I got to 1 mile. But when I got to 1 mile, I wasn’t far from the 15 minute mark (I still am taking my jogging VERY slow, so I don’t hurt myself, and since I’ve never jogged before.) So, then I bargained again with myself, just to make it to the 15 minute mark, then I could stop. Of course, when I got to the 15 minute mark, I noticed I wasn’t very far from hitting 1.5 miles, so again, I bargained, that I could stop at 1.5 miles. I pumped my fists in the mirror, and I told myself how effing awesome I was.
I would like to say I continued bargaining this way until I got to my original goal of 2 miles, but I didn’t. I am not dumb, so I stopped because the muscle by my shin bone started feeling more tight and sore than I’ve ever felt before. Then, I went home and did about 15 minutes of abs.
I am proud of myself. I am continuing to work out more consistently than I ever have (with the exception of when I took fitness classes in college). I am watching what I eat. And I know the consistent change will be better for me in the long run.
I have lost a couple pounds, though I don’t know exactly how many since I had to buy a new scale in the middle of all this…and of course the new scale immediately calculated my weight about 3 pounds lower than the other one.
My hubby says he notices that my body is changing. And that feels pretty good.
Good for you, AO. You should check out the “Eat This Not That” app. I am addicted to their newsletters!
Keep it up!
This is great! Good for you!
And don’t feel bad. I started doing Couch to 5k and am a pretty slow jogger myself. But I think it ‘s best in the long run, to start slow and build up. This was we won’t burn out!
I started Couch to 5K a while back, but never really followed through. Now, I just started jogging, and just go slowly until I feel like stopping.