Every year we make lofty New Year's resolutions. And year after year, despite our best intentions, by the time January 31 has rolled around, we have lapsed back into our pre-resolution ways.
Why? Because change is difficult. But not impossible. I think change is possible if we have a clear goal, and can commit to behaviors that will lead to that goal. They say 21 days is enough to change a habit, or cement new habits.
Take losing weight. For years I have wanted to lose weight, and for years, despite best intentions, I make it no further than 2 weeks of good eating and exercise behavior, and then life gets in the way. And that's the excuse I make.
Well, life is always going to get in the way. That's why its necessary to have realistic goals, and a concrete, defined plan to achieve them. So, for the first time, I'm going to do this the right way. I'm going to examine why I want to lose weight, why my health is so important to me. I am going to take the time to draw up a plan. Each day of this plan will have a concrete action I can take and check off a list. Built into this plan is time to find new recipes, write a meal and exercise plan, shop for groceries and cook. And I am going to record the process here, for accountability and hopefully, support.
Maybe you will follow this plan along with me. The first week goes something like this:
Day 1: Commit - write down why I want to do this, long term (~6 month) and short term (~1 month) goals. These goals will not be "lose 20 lbs" but instead things like "exercise 4 days a week" and "cook and freeze 2 meals a week" and "log in food journal every day."
Day 2: Start drinking water - Edit: I meant to say 64 oz. or 2 L a day! Use an app. to track this.
Day 3: There's an Ap. for that - Start using an online ap. to record all food eaten and exercise.
Day 4: Food plan - look 7 days ahead at my schedule and determine which meals will be eaten at home and which out, which nights I will cook. Choose recipes and make grocery list. For me, it works best to have 2 recipes I will cook and freeze.
Day 5: Grocery Shopping
Day 6: Cook the food for the week
Day 7: Make exercise plan for next 7 days, and post on fridge.
Notice that "weigh self" is not on the list. Personally, I don't like weighing myself until I've already started healthy habits. That will be Day 8.
Today I started tracking again with MyFitnessPal. Its a great app., and when I use it religiously I do have success. Other apps to check out include Lift. More on that on day 3.
Next post: Why I want to change my habits, and my goals.
No comments:
Post a Comment