Archives for January 2018

Busy

There are very few people sitting around with tons of free time on their hands so I always cringe when someone says they are busy.  I have a hard spot with this one for two different reasons.  The first one being that if you get the “excuse” that someone is too busy it really just means that something is not a priority for them.  If it is really important then you’ll find a way to get it done, if not, you’ll use the excuse that you are too busy.  This might mean that something has to come off the priority list.  We all have a lot of stuff to do every day and it will never get all done.

The other misuse of this word is when people equate being busy with being productive.  I can spin my wheels for hours on a task, while someone else could have completed it in 30 mins or less.  I have seen people wear being busy as a badge of honor and then when you break it down many of the activities could have been completed by someone else way more efficiently.

Fine

I just finished a book on this and what prompted me to get some of my thoughts on paper.  We really need to stop saying we are fine when most of us really feel stuck.  This is another default answer when someone asks you how you are doing.  I have decided to change my answer to this question to either Great or Meh.  To mean fine means you are bored.  If I am doing “Great” then that means I am taking on new challenges or projects.  Kicking ass and taking names.  If I am just “Meh” then it probably means I have run into a roadblock somewhere that I need to work through.  The best part about owning up to the “Meh” feelings is that they turn into feelings of greatness once you get through them.

Tired

I don’t want to put this one on the list because I use it all the time.  It seems to be my default answer any time I get asked how I am doing.  I need to take my own advice and prioritize this one higher J  This one falls in the same category and being busy.

Or

I have noticed that a lot of times people have an either/or mindset.  I would challenge you to start thinking in the “And” mindset.  Why can’t you be a spouse, parent, work, AND have a hobby?  If the first thing that pops into your head are excuses then your back to thinking either/or.  If all of those things (or more) are something you really want, create a roadmap and multiple options to get there.

I almost didn’t commit to following the program with about 45000 other people.  I bought the equipment, loaded up on my supplements, and was ready to go…….then I realized some of the workouts were an hour long.  I already was getting up at 4am to get my workout in and if I was going to do this then I’d have to be up by 330am.  I put it out there that I was having doubts and one of my fit family members said she got up at 345am for like 4 years or something crazy like that.  After that I told myself I couldn’t complain about 80 days if she did it for years.  I sucked it up and changed my alarm.

I am SO glad I decided to do this.  The meal planning at first was a little bit of a challenge for me since my go to meals didn’t fit.  This ended up being a blessing in disguise.  I am now eating for fuel and not just to eat.  I am combining foods that I don’t typically eat (tuna, cucumbers, and quinoa) and sometimes even just throwing stuff together just to get my food in.

Honestly I cheated a little bit on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday and had a couple of glasses of wine.  While it was great at the time I totally regretted it that night and the next morning.  After a couple of days of almost no added sugar my body was totally rejecting it.  I think just having to write that is going to push me to follow my meal plan perfectly from here until vacation at the end of February.  I am excited for the meals I put together for week 2.

The workouts are tough, but not impossible.  I also realized half way through I was using the longer resistance bands when I should have been using the shorter ones.  Live and learn.

Some other things I learned…plantains do not taste like bananas.  I have been adding them to my shake for a healthy carb but I think once I run out I am going to mix it up a little.  The most important thing is that I can do whatever I put my mind to.  I feel like I am finally practicing what I preach about getting out of your comfort zone and how big of a role mindset plays into everything.

I am really excited for what the next few weeks are going to bring.  Maybe I’ll end up with six pack abs, or maybe I’ll just be happy with breaking out of my comfort zone.  I’ll for sure get a free shirt for finishing and submitting my results.