So it is day 4 and I've done well with respect to showing the discipline for portion & balance I outlined in my day 3 post. I only intend to weigh in myself once a week on Sunday's, so Day 8 will be the next weigh in. Then I'll have a measured result to validate my belief that I've done well thus far.
Today I am a bit beside myself as I don't have a burning fire of motivation going within me right now. Typically in the past when I have made efforts to lose weight they start with a rush of confidence and motivational thoughts that drive me for a while, and as I've said earlier, I eventually let myself down and give up. But this time, I don't have that swell of euphoria powering my effort. And I am not sure why. Could it be I am being a bit more realistic in that until I shed at least 20 pounds and then keep going, vs. quitting as I have so often when I've hit that milestone, maybe then I'll feel a surge in motivation? Wow, I certainly hope that is not true. If it is, how will I ever get to 20 pounds down, or even 10? Honestly I am not sure why my mood is rather blah as I start this particular journey. But since I have recognized that the I suppose I ought to take the next step and try and snap out of it and find the motivation I believe I need to really launch this mission.
So what motivates me? What motivates you? What is motivation? Oh don't worry, I am not going to get all philosophical here. Nope, going to keep it bluntly simple. Motivation as I see it comes from one of two mental responses to everything we encounter; we either like and want it, or, we dislike and don't want it. Of those two I believe we find more of our motivational fuel from associating with what we like and want in life. So, it only makes sense to me to first to focus on the other response, what is it that I dislike and don't want. Huh? Why focus on the one which I believe contributes less to our motivational fuel? Because in the past I have made a point of primarily focusing on what I like & want which hasn't worked for me. So we're going to try a different approach. Let's get to it…
What I dislike and don't want…
I dislike not being able to climb two flights of stairs only to feel there is no oxygen to be found up here.
I don't want to have to ever gesture frantically to my wife, or anyone nearby, that I need help with the heart attack I am in the throws of.
I dislike having to take a blood pressure pill every morning.
I don't want to ever consider having to buy a 4x shirt so that I can feel comfortable in what I wear.
I dislike that I have to wear 3x shirts so that I can feel comfortable in what I wear.
I don't want to find relief from life's difficulties & stress by opting for the easiest remedy; strapping on the feed bag.
I dislike not being able sit on the floor with my legs even remotely close to being crossed without also feeling complete agony.
I don't want look in the mirror anymore and wonder what on earth is it that my wife sees in me.
I dislike looking upon exercise as a burden or chore vs. something that is necessary and enjoyable.
I don't want to have to drive a SUV so that I feel comfortable and enjoy the drive.
I dislike flexing my muscles and not being able to see them because they are encased in too much fat.
I don't want to have to stop for a breath 2 & 3 times when I make the walk with pack and rifle to & from the deer stand during hunting season.
I dislike that being responsible about fitness doesn't cone natural to me.
I don't want to miss out on seeing my grand children graduate high school, college and get married.
I dislike feeling the need to curse the scale every time I walk up to it.
I don't want to be the one that everyone has to wait on while I catch up to them.
To be continued…
Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!
Today I am a bit beside myself as I don't have a burning fire of motivation going within me right now. Typically in the past when I have made efforts to lose weight they start with a rush of confidence and motivational thoughts that drive me for a while, and as I've said earlier, I eventually let myself down and give up. But this time, I don't have that swell of euphoria powering my effort. And I am not sure why. Could it be I am being a bit more realistic in that until I shed at least 20 pounds and then keep going, vs. quitting as I have so often when I've hit that milestone, maybe then I'll feel a surge in motivation? Wow, I certainly hope that is not true. If it is, how will I ever get to 20 pounds down, or even 10? Honestly I am not sure why my mood is rather blah as I start this particular journey. But since I have recognized that the I suppose I ought to take the next step and try and snap out of it and find the motivation I believe I need to really launch this mission.
So what motivates me? What motivates you? What is motivation? Oh don't worry, I am not going to get all philosophical here. Nope, going to keep it bluntly simple. Motivation as I see it comes from one of two mental responses to everything we encounter; we either like and want it, or, we dislike and don't want it. Of those two I believe we find more of our motivational fuel from associating with what we like and want in life. So, it only makes sense to me to first to focus on the other response, what is it that I dislike and don't want. Huh? Why focus on the one which I believe contributes less to our motivational fuel? Because in the past I have made a point of primarily focusing on what I like & want which hasn't worked for me. So we're going to try a different approach. Let's get to it…
What I dislike and don't want…
I dislike not being able to climb two flights of stairs only to feel there is no oxygen to be found up here.
I don't want to have to ever gesture frantically to my wife, or anyone nearby, that I need help with the heart attack I am in the throws of.
I dislike having to take a blood pressure pill every morning.
I don't want to ever consider having to buy a 4x shirt so that I can feel comfortable in what I wear.
I dislike that I have to wear 3x shirts so that I can feel comfortable in what I wear.
I don't want to find relief from life's difficulties & stress by opting for the easiest remedy; strapping on the feed bag.
I dislike not being able sit on the floor with my legs even remotely close to being crossed without also feeling complete agony.
I don't want look in the mirror anymore and wonder what on earth is it that my wife sees in me.
I dislike looking upon exercise as a burden or chore vs. something that is necessary and enjoyable.
I don't want to have to drive a SUV so that I feel comfortable and enjoy the drive.
I dislike flexing my muscles and not being able to see them because they are encased in too much fat.
I don't want to have to stop for a breath 2 & 3 times when I make the walk with pack and rifle to & from the deer stand during hunting season.
I dislike that being responsible about fitness doesn't cone natural to me.
I don't want to miss out on seeing my grand children graduate high school, college and get married.
I dislike feeling the need to curse the scale every time I walk up to it.
I don't want to be the one that everyone has to wait on while I catch up to them.
To be continued…
Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!
Posts
Patrick...thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting. I'm proud to be your first follower and have a soft spot for fellow men trying to get better.
ReplyDeleteI think you are off to a tremendous start since you are focusing on the mental side. Certainly your methods of portion control, balanced meals, and avoiding fast foods are terrific as well.
Most any program that isn't too off the wall will come down to what you are doing. As you start to lose weight and gain greater motivations by seeing some of your "dislikes" improved, you can add more lifestyle changes.
The amount of change and in what length of time is completely dependent on what truly motivates you. For me, the movement of the scale initially was the most motivating so I was willing to change a lot of things right off the bat because it resulted in the quickest scale losses which continued to motivate me.
Focus only on what motivates you and the rest will fall into place.
Welcome and congratulations for starting your journey...I'm nearly 42 and it is NEVER too late to start living.
Hi Patrick,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog, We do this one day at a time, we make mistakes, and we learn from our mistakes and try and make the next day even better. If you have made up your mind that you indeed want to be healthy then "you will do it". Blogging has been a big help in my success(keeps me accountable), along with the support of my blogger friends. Looking forward to hearing about all of your successes!
Kyle & Ron,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments. Agree that it seems success comes down to what you are doing and learning from our mistakes. My wife & I are looking forward to help that others who are going through the same challenge have to offer. I look forward to the day that we have achieved a degree of success and can begin to provide help to others as well.
Thanks again, let's keep in touch here!