Seems like an easy mathematical equation, but its not! There are so many components that needs overcoming to keep it going. One of the most challenging "challenge" for me would be learning to say "no." Sometimes I'll use excuses just so I don't have to deal with the nagging, and other times I'll go into a whole explanation of how I'm practicing saying "no" because I am on a mission. Easier said than done.
We're all social creatures. I live with two roommates, and both LOOOVE food and social meal gatherings. I have a sister who loves food as well, and she's pretty stubborn when it comes to eating together. And living in the south, comfort foods and meal time gatherings are hard to get away from. If you want friends, you gotta eat with 'em! If you want to go on dates, you gotta eat with 'em! Now where does a girl like me start?
It's definitely easier said then done to join in on their fun and practice self control. So here is where I start: I learn to say "no." When asked to go bowling late in the evening, I say "no thanks" because staying up late tend to throw off my schedule during the week, which eventually leads to eating late and skipping workouts. I say "no" to majority of the spontaneous "let's go eat somewhere" that I get asked on a daily basis. I'm saving the dining outs for major events like a birthday celebration and dates set in advance. I say no to about 80% of all the possible eating adventures I can go on during the week, because it helps me stay planted on my routine healthy home eating. This tactic alone has saved me from falling off the wagon several times.
There are so many minor challenges I face when changing my life around 180 degrees. As I see each minor challenge accomplished, I find greater joy in knowing that I can really do this after all. I typically record my weight every Tuesday, but I have been weighing myself every morning because the curiosity alone won't leave me alone. Yesterday, I hit my 10 lbs mile marker. I told everybody =) I told one of my roommates, and I can tell she was inspired. As she watched my healthy diet and tuned into some of the health documentaries like "Foodmatters" and "One Nation Overweight" that I was watching throughout the week, little seeds were getting planted in her own life. Mind you, she's 120 lbs and no where near out of shape, but she recognized that she herself can benefit from eating healthier. I've stopped nagging people about making changes in their life. I used to be the cigarette nazi and turned to when they needed some self control. I realized that when I become a crutch to those wanting to change, I just end up feeling let down and they end up feeling guilty because the change wasn't made using foundations set within themselves. But I do love seeing the ones I love around me change little here and there simply because they witness my lifestyle change. I hope by bettering myself, I can become a better influence to everyone around me the positive way. Positive affirmations and positive influence.
Like Michael Jordan said....
"If you're trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I've had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it."
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