Ugh...shudder.
That's the number I saw on the YMCA women's locker room scale this morning. 1-3-8. I've NEVER seen that number on any scale I've stood on. To say I was shocked is an understatement. Then again, I knew all my gourmet eating over the past 4 months wasn't doing me any favors. I mean c'mon, those white-bread pitas and burrito-stuffed shwarma had to be going somewhere. I guess I just denied the fact that they'd stick around for keeps.
"It's okay, it's okay." I told myself as I watched the little black measuring needle bob up and down. "There are worse things going on the world, like war, starvation, teenage pregnancy, unemployment, depression, etc." Self talks like these are what I usually try to initiate as a way of getting a different (better?) perspective on a disappointing situation. I've always been told that just when I think my life is bad I should consider other people's problems. On an ultimate scale, my problems will usually rank less painful. However, my belittlement of the situation wasn't helping. I turned to my left and saw myself in the mirror; only this time there seemed to be a lot more of...well, me...than I'm used to seeing. "I'm huge!" were the first words that came to mind. And no amount of optimism was going to change that.
About 5 minutes and a personal pep talk later, I walked out of the gym and made a promise to myself: "We're getting our life under control!" (Yes, I speak to myself in the third person...much like Gollum in Lord of the Rings. Weird? Whatevs...). No more late-night snacks, no more white bread, candy, and cookies. No more sedentary lifestyle and NO MORE DELAYS! (You better believe I was pumped for the challenge). No more sugar, no more carbs, no more ridiculous excuses, no more self pity...and the list went on.
By the time I got to my car I realized my list of Nos was getting really long, so I decided to turn it around and create a few simple lifestyle "suggestions" for myself.
Anyway...aside from my freak out this morning life at home is great. I mean, that's what I'm supposed to say, right? I've been on mom duty from the moment I landed (more on that coming soon!), so I haven't taken too much time to process personal current events and what I need to do in the upcoming weeks to fully reinstate myself as a productive post-graduate. Needless to say, there's still a lot to be dealt with, but I plan to tackle the beasts one at a time.
Until then, I'm off to celebrate the matrimony of my dear friend Candace and her new husband. I cannot--excuse me--CANNOT wait to see my friend walk out of the temple--married. It will indeed be glorious.
Matrimony: it really is wonderful isn't it? And how awesome that my friend is getting married the same day as Princess Kate and Prince William. Or rather, how cool is it that Kate and William are getting married on the same day as my friend? Touche. Touche.
Happy Friday!
That's the number I saw on the YMCA women's locker room scale this morning. 1-3-8. I've NEVER seen that number on any scale I've stood on. To say I was shocked is an understatement. Then again, I knew all my gourmet eating over the past 4 months wasn't doing me any favors. I mean c'mon, those white-bread pitas and burrito-stuffed shwarma had to be going somewhere. I guess I just denied the fact that they'd stick around for keeps.
"It's okay, it's okay." I told myself as I watched the little black measuring needle bob up and down. "There are worse things going on the world, like war, starvation, teenage pregnancy, unemployment, depression, etc." Self talks like these are what I usually try to initiate as a way of getting a different (better?) perspective on a disappointing situation. I've always been told that just when I think my life is bad I should consider other people's problems. On an ultimate scale, my problems will usually rank less painful. However, my belittlement of the situation wasn't helping. I turned to my left and saw myself in the mirror; only this time there seemed to be a lot more of...well, me...than I'm used to seeing. "I'm huge!" were the first words that came to mind. And no amount of optimism was going to change that.
About 5 minutes and a personal pep talk later, I walked out of the gym and made a promise to myself: "We're getting our life under control!" (Yes, I speak to myself in the third person...much like Gollum in Lord of the Rings. Weird? Whatevs...). No more late-night snacks, no more white bread, candy, and cookies. No more sedentary lifestyle and NO MORE DELAYS! (You better believe I was pumped for the challenge). No more sugar, no more carbs, no more ridiculous excuses, no more self pity...and the list went on.
By the time I got to my car I realized my list of Nos was getting really long, so I decided to turn it around and create a few simple lifestyle "suggestions" for myself.
1. Be understanding. Don't forget that change takes time. Do not seek compulsive solutions for a problem that took lots of time to develop.
2. Be consistent. Whatever you decide to cut or keep, be consistent. Nothing is more of a let-down in goal setting than inconsistent behavior.
3. Be task oriented. If you set the goal to be "in shape" you will be left running around in circles after abstract ambitions. Instead, sit yourself down and take the time to plan out your goals. Transform abstract ideas into task oriented objectives that can be quantified. This will help motivate you because you will see results.
4. Be kind. It's hard to change if you're always making rude remarks to or about yourself. Believe you can improve and change for the better. Be confident that you matter and that your goals will help you become and feel great!
5. Be honest. It is important to pay attention to how you feel or react to the expectations you place on yourself. If the weights (literal and figurative) are too heavy one day, consider alternatives. If your'e simply being lazy, help yourself man-up and get the job the done. Only you know if you're pushing too hard, and only you know how far you're willing to go!I realize this list might seem vague, but with such a hefty transformation up ahead I want to make sure I focus on principles and not just practice. The two go hand-in-hand obviously, but I want to make sure I'm doing what I'm doing for the right reasons. If I don't, I'll most likely spiral back into my poor eating habits that have become so comfortable.
Anyway...aside from my freak out this morning life at home is great. I mean, that's what I'm supposed to say, right? I've been on mom duty from the moment I landed (more on that coming soon!), so I haven't taken too much time to process personal current events and what I need to do in the upcoming weeks to fully reinstate myself as a productive post-graduate. Needless to say, there's still a lot to be dealt with, but I plan to tackle the beasts one at a time.
Until then, I'm off to celebrate the matrimony of my dear friend Candace and her new husband. I cannot--excuse me--CANNOT wait to see my friend walk out of the temple--married. It will indeed be glorious.
Matrimony: it really is wonderful isn't it? And how awesome that my friend is getting married the same day as Princess Kate and Prince William. Or rather, how cool is it that Kate and William are getting married on the same day as my friend? Touche. Touche.
Happy Friday!
 |
| Me + pomegranate juice in the Christian Quarter section of the Old City... to remind myself that fruit is good to eat :-) |
No comments:
Post a Comment