OK. Confession time.
This was probably the worst time ever for me to begin the 30-Day Fitness Challenge.
Between work and other time commitments, I've been getting almost no sleep, and as a result have not been able to tear myself out of bed in the morning more than five minutes before I have to start getting ready for work.
I've been busy every day over the past two weekends. I have a tendency to over-extend myself; I have a hard time telling people "no."
Too busy. Too stressed. No time. No sleep.
I am the queen of excuses.
I was lamenting said lack of time to my husband today, whining about how much I have to do, and how little time I have, and, consequently, how I have NO time to work out.
He--quite correctly--pointed out that no one is forcing me to do ANY of these things (well, except go to work, but that's just because they pay me), and I have no one to blame but myself for being overextended, and maybe I should get over myself because everyone is busy, and, in the end, I'm just making excuses.
Crap. I really hate it when he makes sense. (I kicked him in the shin anyway, just to keep him from getting a big head.)
Historically, this has been my problem when I start a "program" of working out and eating better: I do great for awhile, then I have some kind of life hiccup that prevents me from working out for a few days, and instead of dusting myself off and starting again, I allow it to completely derail me. It makes absolutely no sense, and yet. Here I am. Again.
I decided to publicly announce my intention to join this challenge in an attempt to motivate myself to do better. To be more consistent. To STOP making excuses. At this point, I've officially been participating in this challenge for seven days. Of those seven days, I've worked out...three times.
I'm writing this on Sunday night. I've had a pretty productive weekend, which is making me feel better about the week ahead. (I'm finding that my state of mind has EVERYTHING to do whether or not I work out. Everything.)
So rather than get all discouraged by my lackluster performance thus far, I'm going to try something different.
I'm going to start over.
I'm calling today my first day. Maybe this is cheating. (Let's face it; it probably is.) But as long as I'm working out and trying to do better, that's all that counts, right?
I really hope so. Because I'm finding that I need this accountability, and your support, a lot more than I thought I would.
5 backtalk:
I hear ya. I was planning on doing the whole exercise thang during my pregnancy so I don't gain 65lbs again. So far I've done it 1 time in 4 1/2 months. I'm kickin' ass.
I think what damages me when I try to make working-out goals like that is ultimatums. And I know that you're trying to really make a commitment, this is just from my personal experience: The pressure to HAVE TO do something every day crushes me to death and I never make it. So do it every day but give yourself a break. :( The goal is to feel better about yourself, not beat yourself into the ground. Because we all mess up. It's ok for you to be tired and sleep in one day. Just get up and get yourself motivated for the next one.
(Hopefully this isn't terrible unappreciated assvice, here, if so , really sorry) I just feel like I could have written this myself a million times and I don't want to to be so hard on yourself. It's a positive change! Think positive, banish "cheating" and "failing". It's a little bit of a mental shift. You're making changes in your life for the better and negativity needs to get the hell out, even if you take a day out.
END THE SELF-FLAGELLATION, LADIES!
Amen, G&G! That's what I always do, too, and why I always fail (when it's all or nothing, I usually end up at "nothing). This time, I've had my initial success because I HAVE tried to give myself a break, on both working out and eating. I think it's more sustainable/realistic for sure. But yes -- this was just a new way to kick myself in the pants. I promise, no more self-flagellation. :)
Oh, I agree....I have derailed my progress countless times which is why the whole experience up to this point has just made me angry and frustrated rather than excited.
I usually go all in or nothing too and then am annoyed within the first weeks because now I am BOTH hungry and sore - uh, no thanks. I know I could lose more weight if I changed my diet, but I have barely made any changes at this point because I just want to workout and get into that habit, the diet can come later....maybe ;)
I didn't work out last night, I took a mental day. Instead I watched about 4+ hours of different reality TV shows and curled up on the couch....I NEEDED that. I will workout today because I want to, not because I feel I have too (ok, a little because I feel I have too) but taking those days to do nothing, or mornings to sleep in, or having those treats make me happy and I will not give that up!!
GOOD LUCK and if this is something you WANT to do then I am sure you can do it!!!
hang in there friend and don't beat yourself up too much.
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