Motivation isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Sometimes making the right decision is just cold, emotionless follow-through.
Last week I took action on my decision to be proactive about my health: I ate better, took my supplements, skipped the wine and (gasp!) even exercised FOUR TIMES.
And then the weekend came, and then MLK Jr Day (aka: work holiday), and I fell out of rhythm.
Read: No exercise, bad bad food.
But last night I set myself up for success today, knowing I wanted to get right back on track. I mean, dang it – I’ll be 62 in a couple of months. If I don’t stop this downward spiral of physical health now, then when will I do it?
It’s only going to get harder and harder. A bigger and more serious challenge.
If I don’t stop this downward spiral of physical health now, then when will I do it?
I’ve started doing Jazzercise On Demand for some physical activity. Yeah, yeah, I know. Everybody thinks it’s an old-lady throwback thing that still belongs in the 80s.
But I’ll tell you – back in the day when I did 4-5 Jazzercise classes a week, I was in the best shape of my life.
And today, Jazzercise is even better. (No, I’m not a spokesperson.) The routines are still fun, but they add more weights, balance exercises and even HIIT.
Anyway, last week I did four classes. It’s honestly not fun right now, because I’m so stinkin’ out of shape that, at this point, I’m just trying to get through the classes.
But at least it’s not hateful – which is how I usually feel about working out.
But today after three days “off the wagon,” it was a helluva climb back on.
Here’s what my fat, old-lady side tried telling me:
- “Just one more day of food/exercise vacation. You can start tomorrow. What does one day make?”
- “You still have some goodies left to eat. Wait till those are gone first.”
- “You’re an adult now. You can do what you want.”
- “The house is so quiet. You might wake someone up.”
- “Reading here by the fire is so peaceful. Just one more chapter…”
Honestly, exercise is damned tough at the beginning. I’m pounds and pounds away from looking decent in my workout clothes. (Yes, that matters; it’s so motivating to see a strong, healthy body working out. It pushes me to keep going.)
Right now I’m just an overweight, flabby old lady in lumpy clothes. 🙁 It’s depressing.
And food-wise, I still have my cravings for the bad stuff, without any payoff for a long time, for the deprivation of saying, “no thank you.”
Yes, I know I sound like a whiny baby. Just do the thing already, right?
And so I am. And I did. This morning I did a 30-minute JOD (Jazzercise on Demand) Sculpt class with Adrienne, whom I absolutely adore.
And after this post, I’m logging back into my CarbManager account and getting myself back on track foodwise. At this point, simply not gorging myself and eating healthy food would make me drop weight. But logging food will keep me accountable and give me meal ideas for future.
Seriously – it is TIME, people. What the heck am I waiting for? If not now, then when?
Sure it’s tough. But I’m a ToughBaby. And I’m worth my own investment.
xo Jane
