My prize keeps me focused if I remember to be focused on the prize! Dylan's picture makes me smile and then I remember. Although Dylan was the focus of my original prize, I have recently acquired two new step granddaughters ages 8 and 10 who require a lot of energy for their summer activities as well.
Although the week is almost over my commitments were and are:
- Drink more water. I accomplished this and next week I'm going to commit to even more water.
- In spite of some daunting challenges at the scale, I committed this week to sticking with my nutritional plan. I was rewarded at the scale and will continue to persever through next week. I need to learn how to handle setbacks and not consider them the end of my resolve.
- Track food intake. I was successful here but will continue to keep as a commitment until it is second nature.
- Exercising 5 days a week was a commitment last week that I could not keep. I'm pushing through physical pains and 5 days seemed too much. Next week I will keep three scheduled sessions and work on stretching exercises at home on the off days.
- A new commitment for next week will be working on positivity and spirtual peace.
There are so many things that I am grateful for that I am going to start journaling each morning about the day before, and what and where I want to be the next day. I'm new at this journaling thing so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I will acknowlege what I am grateful for, i.e., today was a warmer day and the rain on my face felt renewing; my family is healthy and my one sister who isn't is on the mend; the smiles I receive when entering the gym and words of encouragement; supportive family; manageable burdens; and children who never give up.
I want to focus on the positive and disregard those things I can't change. For example: (1) Today I was depressed that I couldn't finish my work session -- an emotion to disregard. Instead, today I went to the gym when I didn't feel up it and did the best I could. (2) Today I kept all my Prize Club commitments - isn't that "My Prize" picture cute! (3) I felt badly that I didn't accompish my chores today due to physical ailments -- another disgarded emotion. Instead, I blogged on the Prize Club. I was upset that I couldn't be with my sister in Spokane who is in the hospital - another emotion to disgard. Instead, I talked to her in the hospital for two hours. And so on ... Lastly, I will organize my thoughts and attitude for the day. I have rambled on a bit but it has been very helpful to express myself to others who listen and understand. THANK YOU.
Hi Jean!
ReplyDeleteWe do understand and your "prize" is adorable! What a motivation! Please tell me how you are able to drink more water. I struggle with this too. And honestly when I do drink alot of water, I am in the bathroom every 15 minutes. Drives me nuts! I feel like i have bottles of water around me all day but still end up with only having had consumed 1 0r 2 by the end of the day.
Good job focusing on the positive each day. When you look at a rose, you can choose to see the thorns or the flower. Choose the flower!
I have been logging my food on a regular basis. It is a pain in the but at first , but then once it becomes a part of your routine it will be easier. It really is the only true way for me to keep track of my calories. I recently found an application for my iphone and now i can enter my calories where ever I am. Are you journaling on your own or using a program on your computer? I was using a a free site called myfitnesspal.com. Check it out. I would be glad to show you how to use it if you wish!
Stay strong! See you at the gym!
Boy, if Dylan isn't a Prize worth pressing for, I don't know what is!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Jean. You asked if we had any suggestions for your journaling. I would say you just did some great journaling on our blog! Taking quiet time out for yourself is what think is most important. I mean real quiet time and really just for yourself. Then, committing your thoughts to paper (or blog!). I always like to start by focusing on gratitude. It sounds like you have a good start on that! I then like to do an inventory of my behavior.
-Am I doing what it takes to get where I want to be?
-Do I know who I want to be?
-Do my loved ones know how much I love them?
-Does God know how grateful I am?
-Am I working on my relationship with God, like I would any other loved one, or am I taking our relationship for granted?
-Am I being honest with myself at all times?
-Am I being honest with others at all times?
I could go on forever! I just want to give an example of some of the questions I ask myself. Sometimes I answer these inventory questions with a resounding yes, sometimes a resounding no. If the answer is no, I know I have action to take. I must be proactive and come up with a strategy to change so I can answer "yes". Often times I don't know where to begin to develope this strategy. That is when I ask for help, an ability I have been gifted with by humbling myself over the last 13 years.
Lorrie, thanks for your insight and support. You are both practicing the Prize Club principles by humbly sharing where you are, asking for help, and supporting others.
I noticed you mentioned 'dealing with setbacks so they don't end your resolve.' That is always a struggle for me. One of the strategies that I have been using is 'Cosmic Time' If you step back from any stressful situation you are in and realize that it is just a small moment in your life it is easier to put it into perspective. I try to look at desserts and think 'it's not like I will never have the opportunity to eat one again.' Also when journaling, it may be helpful to create a situation grid. The center is a box that you write the situation in and then you make diagram lines off of it. Above the box you write helpful choices and the possible outcomes stemming from them and under the box you write unhelpful choices and the possible outcomes. This really helps us to reflect on our actions and visually connect to our choices.
ReplyDeleteAnd lastly, every time I see you come into the gym it inspires and motivates me. Thank you for sharing your Prize. Keep up the great work!
Thanks for weighing in Sarah. Your concept of "Cosmic Time" is great! Any tool that helps you gain some perspective when the going gets tough is a good one.
ReplyDeleteJean, you are inspiring and motivating many of us. I know you are under the weather right now. If you need help from any of us, please ask.