Setting goals...

It's been drilled into my head for as long as I can remember, the tricks to success.  Oft repeated are:

• Make sure your goals are measurable
• Set goals that are bite sized (if you set a big goal set smaller "check points" so you don't get discouraged)
• Get people to work with you
• Have some form of accountability
• Celebrate your successes

The tricks help, but it seems to me that the real key to success is WORK even though none of us want to hear it or do it. The key to success is finding a motivation that makes the work worth it.

Things that have helped me do that.

• Prayer
• Listing all the good reasons for it
• Don't give in an inch when you want to get lazy you will take a mile

I'm excited about my progress too!

Willpower Diet

I've started the Diabetic Diet.  I've been on diets before, but this is different.  I'm having more success and I'm set up to actually accomplish my goal.  What are the things I did differently?

1. Get a friend who actually cares. 
• They want to hear about your successes and your failures.
• If they will work with you on it that's awesome.
• Physical restraint from sweets may be necessary from time to time.  Like in Costco when there are free samples of cheese cake...
2. Get properly motivated.
• Why am I doing this?  Who is this for?  How much do I want this?  What do I get out of it?
• Again, get friends who will help you. (and want to)
3. Follow the rules.
• Exceptions... often when we think we are on a diet we make exceptions... well your body is losing weight but also making exceptions. Give yourself at least 2 weeks of solid following the "rules" without breaking them.
• The success will drive you to continue.
4. Make your goal measurable.
• My goal I am supposed to eat less than 1400 calories and cut out processed sugar completely for a while.  So I write down all the calories I eat.  I also measured my waist and weighed myself before I started.
5. Embrace change.
• Your eating habits and exercise mentality is going to have to change, have an open mind.
6. Make small good choices and relish little successes.
• If you need to work on your will power, work on it one decision at a time.  Your will power will get stronger as you exercise it.

I am so excited about my progress!  I've also inspired friends to do the same!  I will be sharing my successes and food substitutions in the future as well.

Feeling Lethargic

How you eat affects how you feel.  It's been drummed into our heads... but it's true!  This week my classes have had all kinds of junk food and parties and I've eaten basically nothing but crap.  I feel lethargic.  Last week I was eating good and feeling good.  I'm going to go back to that starting tomorrow.

Me time

I've been researching other rewards and I like the idea of actually scheduling some "me time." Not just giving myself a Mani & Pedi because I do that anyway therefore it's not much of a reward, but going somewhere. For Example, Balboa Park for those of you who live in San Diego area, or Yellowstone if you live in Idaho Falls area.  I also like "order in." (what can I say, I'm a food person)

Who Knew!

So I have recently made some new friends.  These people like to play sports and run around.  They are rediculously fun people but I do not have the stamina for that... so I decided!  I want to play more...i'm going to have to get in shape!  So I've changed my eating habits. I'm making sure I get as many nutrients into the calories I am eating... I'm adding bananas to my cereal, I switched to 1% milk.  I ate a salad yesterday (it was delicious) and I drank WATER!  

Oddly the whole water thing is kind of a big deal for me.... I do not like water.  It's not just the taste... It's like my mouth and throat reject it.  I think it's a genetic thing because everyone in my family is like that.  Each gulp of water is a struggle.  Add to that that most water does not taste good... (we do have pretty good tasting water though) But I forced myself to drink it!!!

I have never before practiced this much restraint when it comes to eating... I am so excited!!!