It’s what I Do!

24 Aug, 2007

Week 2 update and an SP article

Posted by: velveteen In: General| NSV| Thoughts

This week not as smooth as last week, but it’s still ok. My points were on the higher side yesterday, as I had pasta for dinner with R’s homemade sauce and definitely had several points worth of cheese. I was 4 points over for the day, but it could be a wee bit more as I had forgotten to enter something on my program on my home computer. In any case, I’m not worried about it. There are a few reasons for this::

1) I was visited by Aunt Flo yesterday morning, around 3am. Consequently, I was pretty much ravenous the whole day.
2) My other days have been on the mark or just below points
3) Today is a within points planned day
4) I’m going to the gym later, which should make up for any extras this week

Serious NSV’s – this week I faced the following at work::

1) donuts, small apple “cakes”, whip cream cakes
2) A constantly full jar of candy on the desk close to mine (meant for the whole department)
3) A going away party yesterday, filled with cakes
4) A colleague who tried to put a piece of chocolate in my mouth

So, hey, that I went over in points yesterday, only because of cheese, I’m pretty happy with that!!

Tonight is the going away drink for the colleague who had the cakes yesterday. I am going for only 1 or 2 diet cokes and that’s it. Then I’m going to the gym. I have a sandwich for later (before the gym) and one for afterwards. I’m going to arrange soup for when I get home if I’m hungry.

I read this article today on SparkPeople about planning ahead. I TOTALLY agree that this really helps to be successful. Though the last two days weren’t perfectly planned, I still feel that the success since starting is due to planning. By success I mean, staying on points, staying in control, being able to say no (not in my plan), feeling good about myself.

Think Two Steps Ahead
Find the BIG Picture
  — By Joe Downie, Certified Physical Fitness Instructor
The house is a mess, the kids need a ride somewhere, you haven’t sat down in hours, and you have 10 minutes to eat something.

It’s 1 p.m., you’ve been working non-stop to finish a project because your boss is breathing down your neck, and it’s time for a quick, 20-minute lunch before getting back to the grind.

We often face situations similar to these two. Normally, we choose to think one step ahead. “I am tired, hungry and stressed out. I need to eat something quick. I don’t care what it is!” Unfortunately, those decisions come back to haunt us in the future, only adding to the stress already in our lives.

After a long day with the kids, doing laundry, reading books, and working on night school homework, you might have to decide between exercise and a couch that is screaming your name. Another difficult decision we face on a regular basis, and once again we often choose to think one step ahead. “I need to rest – I’m so drained!”

The difference between one step ahead and two steps ahead can mean the difference between staying on the fitness roller coaster or achieving your goals. Two steps ahead, we are still tired, stressed and cranky, BUT also determined, committed and able to see the big picture.

What is the BIG PICTURE? It’s different for everyone. Having a few thoughts that motivate and inspire you will help fight through step one and see that vision. Here are a few:

“My self-confidence is going to be so much higher because I’ve struggled through a difficult situation and found a way to conquer it!”

“I’ve had to find a way to deal with things during a very stressful time in my life. I can’t wait to see what I can do without all the stress!”

“I’m going to be able to keep up with my kids and be a part of their lives for a long time!”

“Why shouldn’t my health be the most important thing in my life – it doesn’t make me selfish, just smart!”

“If there is one thing I have complete control over, it’s my health. I am going to do whatever it takes to figure out a way because I have pride in who I am!”

“Step Two” reminds us how important consistency is in reaching our goals and helps us envision that beautiful feeling you get when you work hard to achieve something.

Start practicing now. Step One - “Oh, what a great idea. I should try that sometime, but I really have to go clean my oven.” Step Two – “What a great idea. I’m going to come up with three things that will motivate and inspire me each time I have to choose between a healthy and unhealthy decision, and I’m going to write them down so I see them on a regular basis! Now, I’m going to go clean my oven!”

Article created on: 4/12/2004

6 Responses to "Week 2 update and an SP article"

1 | susannaeats

August 24th, 2007 at 7:36 pm

Avatar

This was a really helpful and inspiring post. Way to just say No to the cake and temptations at work, though it’s kind of awkward and boundary crossing that your co-workers are trying to attack you with chocolate. (I’m sure he/she meant well.)

I hope you keep up with this. You’re doing great.

2 | baileysmomma

August 24th, 2007 at 8:17 pm

Avatar

Great article! Thanks for sharing.

Dont stress about going over your right, if your going over because of a little cheese one day out of a week? You should be fine.

3 | velveteen

August 25th, 2007 at 11:22 am

Avatar

Thanks for commenting, girls :)

Susanna - she did mean well of course… plus it’s a combination of the company culture and her own culture… besides the fact that at Starbucks we are surrounded all day by great tasting foods and drinks and most people are real foodies at heart. This colleague of mine is also from South Africa, a pretty big on food culture - she knows I like chocolate, but as soon as she tried to put it in my mouth and I said “no” she said she was sorry and she remembered I was focusing on weight loss.

But I WILL keep up with this - it’s what I do!!

Baileysmomma - I think I’ll be fine as well. I think it was the combination of too much + TOM… and let’s face it, I still have negative thoughts about this whole thing/ myself, but I am working on those things :)

4 | Kery

August 26th, 2007 at 7:55 am

Avatar

Good job on what happened at work. :) We’ve had a week full of temptations at the office as well, and it’s really mind-boggling at times, especially when you find yourself genuinely hungry but would prefer have a fruit instead of a candy jar under the hand…

The chocolate put in my mouth would have driven me crazy. not because it’s chocolate, but because the gesture would be a sudden invasion of my personal space, so to say. How odd sometimes to notice all those little cultural differences.

5 | cherielabombe

August 26th, 2007 at 1:38 pm

Avatar

Nice article on staying 2 steps ahead - I totally agree with this. Basically I think you need to be READY when that day of work craziness happens and you only have 10 minutes for lunch at 3pm.

Also can I just say you have a fabulous attitude? You’re going all the way! Really like your blog!

Mel

6 | velveteen

August 27th, 2007 at 3:42 pm

Avatar

hey Mel, thank you so much !!

I do love SP articles, there is so much common sense and truth to them, it’s almost HARD to not do the sort of things they suggest!

Comment Form

You must be logged in to post a comment.


  • goodlife: Looks liek you've gone away with Mr Murphy. Come on back and post. Hope things are good with you. Take care. http://3fatchicks.com/diet-blogs/goodlif
  • canadianchunky: Loved the photos. I am guessing you are on the bike. You look great! And that is 202 pounds?? You wear it well! Enjoy your travels Shari
  • goodlife: hey... wish you a happy belated birthday. it's ok to be gloomy once in a while, just once in a very rare while. Cheer up girl and get out of the self-