Thursday Adversity: Routine

I've been doing a lot of thinking about routine.  Okay, not so much routine, but lifestyle.  I think one reason why I have struggled to be successful in my weight-loss is because I have not gotten to the point where what I'm trying to change becomes a habit... a system of life that needs no second thinking, or forcing into place.  Just like I mentioned in my Wal-Mart post, I want results now.  I want to wake up tomorrow and be skinny, healthy, and ready to run a marathon!  So, it is no wonder why, when I wake up, and my muscles ache so bad, that I don't WANT to get out on my bike and exercise...and thus, why exercise has not become a natural routine.

What it comes down to, each day, every hour, every minute, and even every second of our lives, we are faced with choices.  Today, I CHOSE to buy a 32 oz soda and drink it.  I CHOSE THAT!  I was faced with the option to buy it, or to just go home without it.  I knew full well that if I drink it, it was going to undo the awesome workout I had this morning.  I KNEW that I would feel like crap after I drank it... not only physically, but mentally and spiritually, because I knew it isn't doing me any good.  That is just one example.  How easily I gave in!  Oh how weak I am!  That was the literal conversation I had in my head.  Why didn't I think, "NO!  Why would you sabotage yourself!?  You have plenty of things working against you...why work against yourself?"  (I'm pretty ticked off at myself right now, if you can't tell).

So, before we can even THINK about having a routine with all of those good habits built in, we HAVE to... no, we MUST have DISCIPLINE!  I saw this quote, and I thought it was perfect.

"Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment (Jim Rohn)."

If I want to change my lifestyle, then that means I have to give up those things that are not part of the desired lifestyle... duh!  Makes sense right?  But not only that, I have to replace those negative habits with the good.  Like exercising daily, eating healthy foods, drinking water instead of soda, and spending my time where it is needed.

What I'm getting at is that this is far more than just eating right, losing weight and exercising.  This is about ridding my life of the negative things that prevent me from accomplishing the most important tasks that demand my full attention, health, life, and vitality.  My children.

If I don't make changes in myself, how can I expect them to do the same?  I can't.  I lead by example.  I don't want to feel ashamed because my children realized that I expected them to do just the opposite of what I do!

Small goals!  How about I make it through tomorrow without drinking a soda?  How about I grow a pair, and say no to myself?  How about, when I first wake up, I pull my rear end out of bed, and head out for my workout so I don't have to rush through it before Jason has to leave for work?

Sounds good to me.  After all, You Are What You Say You Are!

"Whether you think you can, or think you can't, you're right (Henry Ford)."


According to John M. Grohol, PYSD, it takes us approximately 66 days, or 2 months to form a new habit.  That's a long time to be consistent at changing a habit.  But don't lose hope!  He states that if you miss a day, or slip a day, it won't mean you are starting over.  That is heartening to me.  I feel like every time I slip up, or miss a day, or what have you, I am starting over.  And starting over can get daunting if you do it a lot.

"In order to succeed, you must first be willing to fail (Anonymous)."

Find what inspires you and go with it!

I hope this was helpful for you.  It sure was for me.  I find that as I'm writing, I am opened up to things about myself that can truly help me change, if I'll apply them.  I recommend that you keep a journal of your own.  A notebook, blog, or an official journal.  It really has helped me to recognize my flaws, and my strengths!

Happy losing!  You've got this!

Evelyn Curtis