Procrastination anyone?
There were REASONS I purchased a pricey toy and didn't use it for so long. They pretty much boil down to that bastard, depression.
Suffice it to say, in the continuing battle with the hoary old dragon, I finally shifted into a headspace that allowed for a change of behavior. Take that, you fire breathing monster.
I started tracking my steps on September 15. Since then, I've walked a total of 331.82 miles. During my most OCD week, I hit 50.3 miles. This is a lot of walking.
What have I learned?
That when I walk, I'm not eating. For a comfort eater, this is big news. I've lost 12 pounds over the last two months. Woot!
That I really, really, really love binging on TV shows while I pace my living room floor in the evening. Long live Supernatural, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, and Longmire.
That walking can leave me open to productive thinking or negative stewing and I need to be careful which track I let my brain train travel.
That it's easier to get my step goal in most days than I would have imagined. At work, I take a couple of walk breaks throughout the day and sometimes I'll answer email on my phone or open the mail while tracing a path into the carpet, just I can get my move-groove on.
That focusing on this one thing--getting my steps in--has led to a host of other positive choices:
While I hope never to be a counter of calories, I know make more of my meals, ditching the hidden calories of multiple meals out each week and getting a better handle on portion control. I've schedule both routine and specialist doctors appointments I'd been putting off. I'm making time to write, participating in NaNoWriMo with an "in it to win it" mindset, mostly because I've figured out how to weave writing sprints with walking sessions into a single activity I look forward to. I've begun adding a few other exercises into my day mix things up a bit.
One decision can be a game changer.
In the prologue of The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business, author Charles Duhigg recounts the story of a woman who made one decision--to stop smoking so she could make a trek across the desert--which led to her losing 65 pounds, running marathons, getting out of debt, buying a house...The list goes on.I feel a kinship with this woman. My one decision--to get up and move--has already netted me so much that is positive. I look forward to discovering what other possibilities arise in the future as a result of this walking journey.
Over to you: What habits have you changed that have in turn changed you? What habits in your life are helping you achieve your goals and which would you like to kick to the curb?
And by the way, if you haven't read Duhigg's book, I recommend it. Fascinating stuff.
Go, you! Inspiring.
ReplyDeleteGood for you!! You've convinced me. I've been putting off getting a FitBit because I was afraid the thing would believe I'd attached it to a stationary post. But I've joined a gym and if this will add motivation, then I'm going to do it. My eating habits have gone severely down hill so that's something else I need to change. I have a big trip coming up in a couple months and I am determined to take off some pounds before boarding that plane.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the inspiration.
Thank you, Keely, for sharing this part of your journey. You inspire all of us, and give hope that we can take charge of our issues and improve them. I have confronted some of my demons this year and know first hand how difficult it is to face them, and change them. Life is better when you care for yourself as you would for a loved one, and it sounds like we have both learned to do some of this. XXX
ReplyDeleteThis was inspiring, Keely. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteKeely, you've just reminded me that it doesn't matter if it takes a year and half to grab the FitBit off the shelf. It's never too late to make a change for the better. That's powerful. Thanks for the reminder and keep on keepin' on!
ReplyDeleteLoved the post, Keely! Go, girl. Love that you've logged over 330 miles since September 15. Yeehaw! And as we both know, and to quote a dear friend, the Universe always rewards action. It's so awesome that you're seeing other areas of your life impacted by your decision to get moving, just like the woman in Duhigg's book. ;0) Nice job. Keep up the great work, friend.
ReplyDeleteGreat job, Keely! I admire that you're dedicated to the point that you're pacing the room to pump up your step count. I'll definitely have to take a look at that book - sounds fascinating.
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