I have a mason jar on my kitchen counter. In it I have 20 blue beautiful flat stones. They represent my last weight that I wish to lose. Next to it is a second empty jar. This jar will hold the stones that represent each of the pounds I lose. My goal is to move the stones from one jar to the other. Truth be told these last twenty are the hardest. I have been playing move back and forth with the stones for two months now. If I had focused solely on my ability to move these stones (lose these pounds) I probably would’ve given up by now. Yet another failed attempt.
Rather than focusing on the stones (pounds), I’m focusing on the changes I’m making in my life. I know that it took me ten years to get where I am, maybe more. So why would I expect to lose so much weight in a few short months, even a year. This has to be a lifestyle commitment. Focusing on the change allows us to slip up without giving up. One day at a time and each day is your chance to reset and start again. No big deal if you gained a pound or lost two. It’s a process and these changes are completely normal.
Did you know it takes about 21 days to form a habit? That’s why so many so called exercise challenges are 30 days. The hope is after that time you will have formed a new habit. If you focus solely on weight loss (results), you most likely will quit. If you focus on change you will most likely have formed a new habit and get results.
As I’ve said, I workout no less than 30 minutes per day seven days a week. The only way for this to happen is for me to plan. It’s on my daily calendar and is non negotiable, no matter what. For me, it’s got to be before work, so this means I need to get up earlier. Once I started, it soon became a habit. I am now up everyday, work or not at 5. I sip coffee in bed, read emails, then head downstairs to workout. At first, I would’ve loved to roll over and go back to sleep. Now, I don’t even think about it, I just get up. Focusing on change has helped me form this habit, regardless of which jar those darn stones are currently in.
I hope you are committed to your lifestyle change. Together we can take small steps towards reclaiming our health. Join my private Facebook accountability group for recipe ideas and motivation. Contact me to be added. Have a great week and let me know how it’s going for you on this journey toward reclaiming your health.
Reclaiming My Health 