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!

Substitute for sugar

I used to pile sugar on everything! Now that I cut back on sugar though... the entire world is sweeter.  The more sugar you have the more your body craves it, but when you don't have sugar fruits and vegetables are so very sweet.

Often in my family for breakfast we will have "rice milk and sugar."

So what did I do to add some zing to that without adding sugar?

I added Vanilla!  Vanilla tastes sweet but you don't get the calories and a little bit goes a long way.

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.

key to success

The key to success in waking up earlier, is your routine the night before.  Last night I exercised and took the time to relax, then I set out all my work out stuff for the morning, so when I woke up, I could just hop into it.  This morning was wonderful!  I woke up at 6:30am and I'm not even tired.  Not only that but I've already jump started my day, getting things done.

Whisprings of the Holy Ghost

Sometimes in my day after I pray, a voice whispers, "Do you remember your prayer? Look, here is the answer."

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.

Buying something nice

Something that doesn't work on me because I end up splurging like crazy, but may work for some people is. Buying something nice for yourself.  It doesn't have to be fancy or intricate it just has to be something you want. Maybe it's a pack of gum, maybe it's a beautiful blouse.