Sunday, November 28, 2010

A Tidbit on Sticking to It

I came upon this article during my Google adventure for goal- and committment-related reads:


It's a short article that suggests that one's focus is a key factor in achieving goals.  Specifically, the article illustrates focusing on previous achievements is more motivating than focusing on future ones.   I guess it makes sense to qualify or quantify successes to make your future goals more realistic and achievable. 

Just and interesting tidbit that I wanted to share.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Consistently Inconsistent

Last night after a long day at work, I came home to Grok who had made me a nice primal meal for dinner.  We then got comfortable on the couch to watch some downloaded shows, while browsing through our freshly-delivered Oxygen and Men’s Health magazines.  I eventually got up to change and have a little workout.

I had a good workout.  I felt good and not exhausted like some of the older workouts I used to put myself through.  But it definitely got me thinking: If I worked so hard in the past at eating clean and working out, then does my body look virtually the same that it did?  (Granted, I’m sure that internally I’m much healthier).

Last week, I went to the doctor for my annual physical.  It had been a year and a half since my last one, which would have put me at the time I started eating clean.  The doctor was enthusiastic at my weight loss, as most of her clients tend to have a weight gain year after year.  The loss: 3 pounds.  I wasn’t so enthusiastic.

A year and a half of eating clean, loads of cardio workouts, softball, volleyball, dodgeball, and lots of walks, equated to 3 pounds.  What I’m not including in the list are the long bouts of falling off the wagon - bingeing on dirty foods, drinking loads of alcohol and making excuses to not workout.

In my case, success isn’t measured by cumulative effort.  If it were, I’d be an Oxygen model.  Success is measured by consistency, and my consistency has been lacking.  This is not a grand realization on my part, I semi-knew that this was my problem.  Heck, I even quit all of my winter sports to accommodate a more routine workout schedule and balanced lifestyle (like not having to do groceries at after all my sports were done).

It sucks.  It’s hard to move beyond that feeling of defeat when you recognize that you’ve failed.  However, I’m sure I would be worse off should I not be able to reflect on the experience, and do something about it.  Every effort gets you one step closer [enter fluffy uplifting music].

My efforts weren't a complete waste - I'll admit that I learned a LOT.  I've learned about what my body needs in terms of nutrition and exercise.  I've learned many new recipe favourites, and what workouts make me come back for more.  I know that health and happiness is a lifetime journey and not a quick-fix.

Now that I know I’ve had a hard time committing to commitment in the past, I’m going to change my approach.  I can commit to finding new commitment strategies… Google is such a nice thing to help me start my search.

I look forward to reporting back on this.

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

Going to Primal Rehab

Grokette spoke too soon.  Her routine went through the spin cycle.

For the past month, life has been fun but full of unhealthy habits.  With the new house came parties.  With parties come booze and non-primal eating.  Throw in Hallowe'en and extra hours of work, and you end up with a grumpy Grokette who charges to the wine bottle when she walks in the door.  Grok hasn't been any better -- as I type this, I'm surrounded by his empty beer bottles and wine glasses (that I refuse to clean up... because I'm nice like that!).

No one makes a change unless they see that change is needed.  I need a change.

I've missed making primal a priority.  I was happy in my routine and the changes I was seeing, and I want that again.  I haven't been working out; having been eating very cleanly; haven't been getting enough sleep; and I haven't been playing enough (by this I mean doing anything active beyond binge-drinking!).  But that's okay!  I would be in a far worse state if I didn't recognize my rut.  The dreary month of November seems like a good time to try to get back into that happy place... The quiet before the holiday storm.

I'm going to pen-in an after-work trip to the grocery store tomorrow to stock up on the basics: fish, meat, eggs, loads of veggies and fruit, and some nuts.  I've both ate well and worked out for the past two days, and it feels nice.  I also commit to drinking more water in lieu of the copious amounts of coffee and wine I have been consuming.

Here's to another go at it!

Oh, and just for the record -- I never got sick (see my last post).  I felt off, but it didn't turn into a full flu or cold, but I know that my body was fighting something.  I still haven't been sick since starting primal.