Where ever you are on your journey, at the start, near the finish, or somewhere in between; you can look to some constants that help day in and day out. Constants that are also easy to incorporate and keep at. They are so easy because they are the little things that over time can add up to good percentage of our progress.
For me some such little things are as follows...
WATER.... I drink water instead of sugary sodas, juices, etc.
And because I do drink on average 80 ounces of water a day, I have come to accept that I need to visit the bathroom a time or two or three more each day than before. Up top left there you see my favorite place urinal to hook up with, I have named it Gargamel after the sworn enemy of the Smurfs.
STAIRS... I take the stairs at work almost always now.
Last April when U started doing this it was pure pain to go up the 4-flights needed to get me to my desk.
Today, I zip up these flights with the ease and grace of a bird in flight, or maybe of Larry Bird in his youth.
AVOIDING these traps at work and elsewhere.
Candy sales are diet-killers, although looking at the cash-envelope of this box can be lucrative.
Stuff the envelope in such a box if you are so moved to give aid, and then leave the candy bar in the box.
As you chew on that insane suggestion, I also suggest a little trick for addressing munchies by chewing on this...
Stuff the envelope in such a box if you are so moved to give aid, and then leave the candy bar in the box.
As you chew on that insane suggestion, I also suggest a little trick for addressing munchies by chewing on this...
And one last little aid that adds up...
MOVE... make moving your body something that has to happen.
At work, I schedule meetings in conference rooms at the far end of the building vs. the one 15-feet from my desk.
Or better yet on a different floor at the far end.
Or even better still, in the adjacent building on a different floor at the far end.
Little things add up; yes very cliche isn't it. True, it is cliche, just as true as it is that little things add up!
What little things do you leverage to great progress?
Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!
Posts
Great post, and all great things to keep you active and healthy in life! In between clients, i have between 8 and 10 minutes. When its nice out, I try to walk around the building a few times. When it's cold, i run up and down the stairs a few times!
ReplyDeleteI love this post, Patrick. Little things I do are watch the carbs, stack the protein, and move in SOME way every day. I always get my water in now. I've learned that missing even one bottle leaves me so thirsty that my lips dry and crack. I think you have shared the best of the basics here.
ReplyDeleteI make my husband stop circling for a closer parking space, and stand and walk when chatting on the phone. Its the simple things, it really is!
ReplyDeleteThis is great! Great stuff! Good for you!
ReplyDeleteI love that you named it Gargamel, too. Haha!
P.S. When I was pretty young I worked for two doctors and I asked them: "Where does the weight go that you're losing?" I thought it was a brilliant question...cuz...I had no clue what happened to it. He said, "You urinate your excess weight out. That's why it's so important to drink water."
I've NEVER forgotten that...and I think about it still each time I drink aqua. Love it!
Great point about the small things making a good impact.
ReplyDeleteI also do the parking lot thing, where I park far off and get a brief walk in. Sure it is small, but as you said, it all adds up.
You're so right, Patrick, it's not necessarily the big things, but all the little things that add up. I use positive self-talk to help myself; water; portion control...all add up!
ReplyDeleteThese are all such important things, whether small or big. You're doing GREAT, Patrick! Keep on keeping on, my friend! :)
ReplyDeleteSometimes I think I get caught up in big sweeping changes and forget that I am making the consistent small choices that are equally important.
ReplyDeleteCandy is so hard!!! I drink lots of water everyday... a little thing but I know it is helping a lot!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips for the office!
ReplyDeleteThat's a really long corridor at work. Have you tried learning to rollerblade on that corridor? That's a great place to learn--pretty narrow hallway to balance yourself, carpet to slow you down and cushion you when you fall!
ReplyDeleteI personally can't wait for it warm up a little bit so I can start taking 15 minute walks to clear my head throughout the day.
Great tips - you're right. It is the little things. I've been straying from water the past week or so, and I can feel it. I need to get back on the hydration kick. Cheers, Rick
ReplyDeletePatrick - this is it! Love it! It is the little things that add up & people just don't realize that - especially those extra steps each day!!! Every little thing adds up! YES to you!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips and I've stolen some from you. I also take the stairs to work now and make sure I get my 64 oz of water every day. Small changes do add up and it's important to remember that every good choice or change we make is one step closer to healthy living
ReplyDeleteHmm, let me get another glass of water and a stick of gum before I respond.......
ReplyDeleteOk, I'm back!
I always pack 100 calorie snacks with me so that I have something to grab when I need it.
I also drink water first thing in the morning.
Walk to destinations as much as possible. We are lucky because there is a wonderful market close by, movie theaters (with Indy films) and even some sweet restaurants.
Take the dog on a walk every day.
I walk everywhere pretty much.
ReplyDeleteI used to get a lift to work in the car. Now I walk 6 miles in total to and from work.
I used to get the bus to the shops. Now I walk to the shops.
I used to sit on my arse at home. Now I go for walks.
Great post, loved the tips! :)
I take the stairs whenever I have the option. Sometimes I mutter some profanities under my breath, but I still do it. I feel a little better each time!
ReplyDeleteSarah
notaneffingdiet.blogspot.com
When I don't feel like doing anything or am short on time, just a few movements before each meal. I.e. burpees, mountain climbers, pushups, planks, dips, etc.
ReplyDeleteI like to park in the back of the parking lot...I've been blesses with two perfectly working legs and feet and I intend to use them to their full potential always. I wear a pedometer everyday and am always thinking of ways to get extra steps in.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I'm a housewife so it can be easy to just lay around doing nothing. What I do is make sure there is always something I need from the grocery store (for either lunch or dinner) so I have to go out and walk a bit. When we go out, I now tell hubby to park at the furthest parking spot from the store. I just started PT for my knees and I've been increasing the sets I have to do by 1 set (of 10 reps) each day. Today we're going to my mom's who lives 3/4 miles away and we'll be walking there.
ReplyDeleteIt really is those little things that make the big difference.
I have actually taken up the gum habit recently. It helps at times.
ReplyDelete