Determined To Succeed

Happy Tuesday, my friends.  Today is going to be a busy day and there’s tons on my “to-do” list.

I have stuff to do for the website, errands to run and phone calls to return. And while all of that is all well and good that is basically a great cocktail (at least for me) to eat badly. And you know the kind of eating I mean. The mindless kind, where you’re working so hard you grab something handy and just sit back down to continue working. I can’t do that. I won’t do that.

Part of why I can’t do that is that I need to get my butt to the gym. I have been doing well lately changing up my exercise routine (man, I can really feel it in my legs) and I am watching what I eat (and trying to lay off the sodas/pops). But sitting at one’s desk does pose a challenge. I know how busy we all can get. I know when time is of the essence and things need to get done and how little time you have. I really do.

I remember a time in my life when I used to be so caught-up in work I just reached over while still reading my computer screen to gram whatever-it-was I had for lunch and shove it into my mouth. On some days it was pizza. Most days Chinese food. Man. Why wasn’t it ever a salad/ Why wasn’t it ever fruit or a veggie? Or even just less of what I was eating? I wish I could tell you. I hadn’t had my “epiphany” yet, that moment I knew I had to wrest control of my life back from me for me.

So do me a favor today. OK? If you have a busy day coming up today take a look at what you eat today and make a note of it. Then, when you do have time, ask yourself if there was a way to do that better. For example, if you know you’ll be running from meeting to meeting brown bag lunch and carry it with you throughout the day so you’re prepared. You know, that sort of thing.

And I will take today in hand, too, and do the best I can (as we all do) on this weight loss and maintenance journey. Which reminds me I need to add “run to the store for healthier snacks” to my “to-do” list for today.Another thing I am doing today is talking to a personal trainer about steps we all can take to get leaner which I will share with you when he and I finally do have a chance to sit down.

See, lots to keep track of. During it all I will keep track of the snacks I have, the meals I eat and the exercise I get. This way, at the end of today, I can look back and say “yes,” “no” or “eh, so-so.” So have a great day, my friends. And remember. The number one thing on the top of your “to-do” list has to be you. No matter what. Remember that and everything else will fall into place.

Hello my friends and welcome to Sunday, December 27th, which just happens to be the last day of Christmas weekend and the first weekend of Kwanzaa. With most of us back to work tomorrow today is the last day to fit in the last remaining things we have to do, especially getting ready for New Year’s Eve/Day, getting some after Christmas/Boxing Day bargain shopping in or cleaning up from the weekend.

Sure, there are plenty of things to do to take up time in a day but it is most important to make and take the time to do what we need to do for ourselves. So I’m going to ask you a simple but tough question. Ready? What have you done for yourself the past few days? I know we’ve all had wonderful foods (and in my case a wee-bit too much food), spent time with family, friends, co-workers, etc., but what have you done just for you to help yourself on your weight loss journey?

Did you get up the past couple of days to work out and exercise? Did you eat a bit less before, after or during? Did you tell people you’re trying to lose weight and stick to it? I really hope so because no one is going to take care of you but you, especially in this weight loss journey.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not coming down hard on anyone because, as I have stated in the past, I am human, too, and am just as guilty about not working out when I should, eating badly and too much, etc. I am just here to remind you today that in all that needs to be done you should take some time out for yourself, maybe an hour, to work on your weight loss journey because that’s important, too.

Every journey has a beginning, we all know that. And while we will be walking this path for the rest of our lives (eating better and exercising to maintain a goal weight) there is a goal we’re trying to reach. We must all do what we need to do to get there. That’s why I say to tell everyone of your incredible courage in starting your journey. For support, understanding and a nudge when you need one.

Sure, today may be the first sunny day we’ve had in southern New Jersey in quite a long time and a great day to get out and enjoy but the first thing on my “to do” list was to get up and exercise. Now I can enjoy the rest of my “to do” list and only think about what foods I should or should not eat all day instead of wondering when I could possibly fit in a workout, too.

We are all here for each other along this path we’re taking, and there will be many who join us along the way. Maybe you’ve encountered some people who you’ve inspired to lose weight (which is awesome). But always remember one simple thing…

…the steps you take today, or any day, will get you that-much-closer to your goal of weight loss and we are all on this path together. So add YOU to your “to do” list.

YOU should always be the first thing on that piece of paper, notepad or Blackberry/IPhone task manager. After all, you are the most important thing in the world.