Feet of Clay

Why feet of clay? Mainly because I have found out that it’s easy to start something, experience some victories and then think that you are invisible, the king queen of the world.  This is my reality check!

One thing I set out at the outset of this blog was to ensure I remain accountable and use the public stage to achieve this. If only someone had pulled my ear then and reminded me that it’s not always as easy putting yourself out there when things aren’t really going according to plan as it is saying you want to maintain some level of accountability.  

Having said that, I don’t think I was over ambitious or overly naïve – or was I? I never thought that living a healthy lifestyle would be easy, I never thought that exercising as a daily routine would be simple…but I think I underemphasized how hard this journey would be. Seriously!

So, 2014 is fully activated and running, I have projects to deliver both in my personal life and at my day job. And I have been very vocal about habits that make for a healthier lifestyle that I wish to develop and maintain all in a bid to ‘DROP IT’. I’ve blogged about working out every day, eating small portions, eating mostly proteins as opposed to loading up on carbs, binding bread… you know! The problem now is life is happening to me, I am busier now that I have ever been – with work, the leadership program I am running after hours, working on personal projects (ie PP), with living, with … so much more.

With all of these I find myself going to sleep later than normal, which means I most often wake up later and deferring my workout- to later in the day; then getting to work and having to drink a cup of coffee so I stay awake and focus. Then I run from meeting to meeting, working really hard, ending up having my meals at my desk. Now, for someone with my personality eating at my desk is a BIG NO NO – because I end up not regulating what goes into my mouth. Plus I end up eating the wrong things, and refueling with more coffee. At the end of the day I have to attend virtual ‘classes’ and complete my learning assignments. This means I am at my desk till about 8pm or later, and it’s far too late to work out, because I have commitments at home as well!

In essence, I seem to be backsliding - I have not worked out in many days (by this I mean my kettle bells or swimming), I have had biscuits and tea at my desk A LOT in the last week, I have not keep to my 6pm cut off time for meals in the last week. And right now I am very disappointed- and afraid to get on my scale. I am afraid that whatever value I gained from my Jumpstart program, I have lost with basically slipping into my old habits.

 

Has it all been bad news? No…I started extended powerwalks (1 hour) each Saturday and that seems to be going well, but I don’t see that it’s sufficient work out for the week– especially in light of the fact that I spend 7:30am to about 8:00pm each workday sitting behind a desk. Plus the fact that I still need to lose weight as opposed to trying to maintaining my current weight (does that make sense?)

I am of the opinion that this blog will not be of any value if I don’t keep it real; Yes? Realizing that everyone who struggles with one thing or the other will encounter obstacles – what I call ‘tests of resolve’ -I think I owe myself (and you) some honesty. I guess this is how one learns and grows and overcomes obstacles. When our resolve is tested, we confirm fully if we are in 100% (as committed as the proverbial pig that had to die to give us the bacon).

So has my resolve been tested? Severely!

And what is the next course of action?

I’ve given this some thought and my official answer is this ‘get back to the basics’. Everything following is my resolve, my answer to my obstacles at the moment – if it works for you, swell – but this highlights my game plan to keep at it, keep dropping the weight, and keep healthy. One thing I tell myself is that I have NO EXCUSE to put on more weight, to be unhealthy…no excuse whatsoever.

So this is me talking to me…

1.   So you think you don’t have time for your workouts – MAKE time. This will mean discipline – no more snooze button; when the alarm goes off it goes off, and you will get your big butt out of that bed however and by whatever means. You will make time to work out 20minutes (at the very least) each weekday morning. You will make time for your weekly power walks each Saturday.

2.   So you think you have no option but eat the easily accessible snacks and coffee at work – PREPARE & PACK your meals for work. You will hardly ever find healthy options, so don’t set yourself up to fail. Just plan ahead and execute your plan. You are in control only if you PLAN!

3.   So you think you are more productive (in the zone) working when you have a plate of something you can nibble on. Reach for fruits not Jacobs crackers (no offence, they are 26 calories per biscuit anyway). Also limit your options - surround yourself with healthy options, avoid buying those unhealthy options – so when crunch time comes what you reach out for will be healthy.

4.   So you think you can be trusted to keep to your healthy habit goals just because you think you can? You should plan each days physical activity, plan each days meals- Plan! Plan! Plan! Don’t leave anything to chance.

5.   Keep believing that you can, because it works if you work it!

So there it is…my progress in full Technicolor!  

This is me hitting my reset, resolve button…

 

I hope I have not discouraged rather than encouraged you…I’m just trying to keep it real.

Maybe you have some experience in keeping your flame alive, could you share? I’d also appreciate any advice you can offer to help me keep it going! I will endeavor to report some good news next week.

Bye…for now!

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