And so the journey begins...
First up, this is a record of my journey. At times, no doubt, it will seem quite boring. Feel free to skip whatever doesn't speak to you. But please remember I am trying to record my honest reactions, actions and emotions - for to not do so would be to rip off the person out there who is doing this with me. I don't want to hide a mood, or deny a reaction, or polish the tainted thoughts so I look good. What is recorded will be what is... tainted thoughts and all.
So...
This is where I'm beginning:
READING: Get Off Your Butt: 16 Ways to get motivated when you're in a slump, by Leo Babauta
http://zenhabits.net/get-off-your-butt-16-ways-to-get-motivated-when-youre-in-a-slump/
(Full permission to use Leo Babauta's writings given here: http://zenhabits.net/open-source-blogging-feel-free-to-steal-my-content/ )
[Please note that I am not recording everything Leo Babauta writes in "Get Off Your Butt: 16 ways to get motivated when you're in a slump." so you may very well want to read that, too.]
1. ONE GOAL
* Don't aim for too many goals at once.
* One goal at a time...
* Stay focused.
MY GOAL: Hmmm... which one to choose! :) Weight loss probably should be my number one at the moment, as being overweight really hinders me from feeling good about myself and doing other things - including wanting to get dressed of a morning - but, gee, doesn't that sound like a lot of hard work at the moment... :) And the thought of that hard work just does not motivate!!
EVEN SO, that 'should' be my number one goal; I just know it... So, WEIGHT LOSS it is...
2. FIND INSPIRATION
GOOGLING "Successful weight loss stories" - such as http://www.shapefit.com/success-stories.html
(Now I just have to motivate myself to read these stories! ;) )
3. GET EXCITED:
Ok, so maybe I need to read a couple of stories from #2 before I move on. Leo Babauta recommends getting excited about your goal, and the best way to do that is to be inspired... so it's back to #2.
To start with, I'm going to read about Felicia and the 118 pounds she lost. http://www.shapefit.com/success/success-stories-weight-loss-felicia.html Come read it with me...
I'll be back to record more of my journey as soon as I've read Felicia's story...
BRB! :)
xxxx
NEXT PART: http://keyverse.weebly.com/11/post/2011/12/day-ones-2nd-lot-of-notes-a-slight-distraction.html
AND http://keyverse.weebly.com/11/post/2011/12/day-ones-3rd-lot-of-notes-reading-felicias-story.html
THEN back to here:
4. BUILD ANTICIPATION.
* Leo recommends that we set a start date, but do not be tempted to make it 'today'. Rather, set it for a week or two, then allow yourself to get excited over it. Let the anticipation build. I kind of like the idea of getting excited over doing something that will be good for me. Surely that would definitely motivate me to do it?!
* He recommends making it the most important date in your life...
* I must admit I'm tempted to make that date NOW! I need to think on this a bit more. I want it NOW! ;) Which is part of the eating problem, I reckon...
But, as I've said in another part of these blogs - "The 3rd lot of notes" I believe it was - my number one reason for doing this is not the weight loss, it's to get myself out of the slump. So while I may start to focus more on taking control of my eating habits now, I will look upon this as a challenge to move myself beyond that dread that often comes to stop me from leaving the house and going for a walk.
The goal I set here will be for stepping out of the house and going for a walk daily. Leo recommends setting that date beyond the next week or two, and as it's Christmas Day next Sunday, I'll wait until after then... and make it the 27th of December. And, in the meantime, I'll work on denying the dread that comes to keep me from stepping out, and feed myself thoughts on the success and joy that awaits on the other side of starting that part of this challenge before me.
5. POST YOUR GOAL.
* Print out my goal in big words? ooh, that seems a little scary. How on earth can I pretend my problem doesn't exist if it's staring me in the face! ;)
* Leo writes, "Make your goal just a few words long, like a mantra..." ...so I choose what I need to take hold of the most right now: It's my life; I am free to live it... (Did I mention that I grew up a shy child, and crawled through my teens and way into my later years with grave insecurity. 'Living life' is often hindered when I dread someone else's opinion... )
Hmmm... maybe something "Life: It's time to live it." all the while knowing my physical appearance is a hindrance I have the power to alter.
* Write it, then post it everywhere to see!
* "A picture of your goal also helps."
6. COMMIT PUBLICLY.
*Hmmm... I do believe I've done that! :)
7. THINK ABOUT IT DAILY...
Be back soon.... LIFE is calling! :)