Determination, Ambition, Action, Persistence

Since my last post, where I really "put it out there" about my current struggles, I have felt a huge sense of relief! Maybe it was because I was finally able to say it and get it off my chest. Maybe it was because I was acknowledging how I felt and really took time to think about it and process it all. Maybe it was because of ALL of these things or maybe it was NONE of these things! No matter what... it was "freeing"! Going through that process (writing, reading, reviewing, reflecting) also helped me refocus and find my determination again.

 

 

After writing that post and reading it over and over again I have a better sense of who I am and what I need to do. I am more determined than ever to help myself. Hopefully by sharing my journey I can help others by letting them know that they are not alone and that this journey isn't always easy- there are ( and will continue to be) bumps in the road that you have to overcome.

 

 

Ambition is the first step to finding success on this journey (and on any journey) but it is not going to be enough. You also have to be willing to take ACTION and continue to take ACTION even when it is tough to do so. It isn't taking action one time and BOOM you have success. You have to keep taking action everyday- even in what may seem like very small ways. Then you have to be able to recognize those small (sometimes very, very small) actions as success and steps in the right direction.

 

Those small actions everyday will begin to add up. You just have to be patient and keep moving forward and fighting for it. Don't give up and you will reach your goal. But it will take time. It will be hard. It will be very hard. In the end it will be worth it.

 

 I have been working out- running, biking, doing Piyo. I have been working on eating clean (or at least cleaner). I have been working on making better choices in all areas of my life!

Over the past few weeks I have refocused my determination and ambition. I have been taking action every day- even if it is in small ways. I have been taking time to reflect and appreciate each small step in the right direction. Have I been "perfect"? Absolutely NOT! Did I eat a cookie AND a brownie the other day when at a training for work? YEP! Did I beat myself up over it? NO! I decided it was what it was and that beating myself up over it wasn't going to get me anywhere. I acknowledged that I shouldn't have made that choice and that I would make a better decision the next time I was in that situation and then I made sure to get in a good workout that night. Overall I count that as a success. I made small progress in the right direction. I reflected on my choice and moved forward.

 

I will continue to fight each and every day! I won't give up and I won't let little bumps in the road stop me from reaching my goals!

 

Here is an overview of some of the past few weeks:

 

working on being more consistent with my running

continuing with Piyo

spending "active time" with family



choosing to do the "hard" workouts



taking it all in and being aware of what's around me

pushing myself

finally getting projects done- also mulched the whole yard but didn't get pictures of that

being present

more "active time" as a family

Overall it has been a pretty good few weeks! I feel like I have gotten my DETERMINATION and AMBITION back (I think the wonderful weather has greatly helped in this area). I have been able to take ACTION in many ways (not only workout wise). Now I just need to continue with my PERSISTENCE in moving forward. My husband likes to tell me that I am stubborn and I hate that word so I often say that I am persistent or determined so this shouldn't be too difficult! I just need to apply my "persistence/determination" in the right places!

Club Human

There was an additional problem that I noticed in my last post that I didn't mention. In looking at the pictures it is very clear that I have put on some weight. Honestly, other than when I was pregnant, I am at my heaviest weight. I really do NOT like the number that I am seeing on the scale and I have been beating myself up over it.  But, that isn't getting me where I want to be so it is time to make some changes- both in my thinking and in my habits.

I am a member. Are you?

Time and time again, I have made similar posts or have had similar conversations with friends about falling off the wagon with my eating habits and getting back on. I have "gotten back on again" so many times that I am starting to think that I might just be an expert on it! Now I just need to figure out how to stay on! I know "slip-ups" are bound to happen (donuts, cookies, desserts, potlucks, etc are everywhere) but I don't have to completely fall off the wagon. I NEED to stop letting that happen.

Over the past several years, "falling off the wagon" has definitely evolved. We (Tim and I) have really made huge strides in our eating habits since we were first married. To give ourselves some credit we have not TOTALLY "fallen of the wagon" and gone back to where we were. I hate to think where we would be now if those changes hadn't happened! Maybe what I am thinking of as "falling of the wagon" are more like plateaus in our journey.

As I look back over the past several years, I am noticing a pattern. I feel like just when I start to make great progress that is when I start to let things slide a bit. I don't know if I start to get comfortable or what the deal is but for some reason I start to hold myself back just when I feel like I am starting to really succeed.

 

Here is a great example: A year ago I was doing so good. I was at one of my lowest weights (that I can remember) and I was feeling so good and so proud myself. I don't even know what happened. I am sure I could come up with all kinds of excuses- I changed positions at work. I switched to 12 hour shifts. My daily routine changed. My stress/frustration level went way up. My boys got busier with activities. My list could go on and on. Those things are all apart of life and they are going to continue to happen and I need to figure out better ways (than food and eating) to deal with those. Ultimately I am holding myself back! I lost my focus on my eating habits and over time I got down on myself for it. I let all of those excuses become justification that took over my rational thinking.

 

I know what I need to do- Focus back in on making good choices on my food; eat clean, limit sugar, portion control, and STOP HOLDING MYSELF BACK! DON'T LET EXCUSES GET IN THE WAY!

 



My new motto

 Oh, and I need to be patient and trust the process (and myself). All things that are a struggle for me! The "work hard" from the graphic above hasn't really been much of a struggle. Actually, even though I am at my heaviest weight right now, I feel like I am probably the strongest I have been. We have been working hard on our Piyo workouts and are both noticing big changes in our strength and flexibility. My legs are feeling tighter and more toned than they ever have! Now it is time to balance those workouts with more running and biking and a better focus on our diet.

 



I NEED to remember this!

 

and this!

Today I got in a 5 mile run- it wasn't wonderful and my lungs were not very happy but it was just what I needed! 

Houston... we have a problem

Well, actually we have a couple of problems. The first and probably the biggest problem that we are facing right now is this:

 

 

Yep, that is right... FOUR ice cream buckets FULL of candy (and Easter was already two days ago so you can bet that there was a bunch more)! I am sure if you talked to my three boys (or even my hubby) they probably wouldn't agree with me in the fact that this is a very real problem right now in our house. The boys think they are in heaven but these four buckets are torture for this momma who has a sweet tooth and is working very hard to get back on track with better eating! I am calling on every ounce of willpower that I can find to keep myself out of these buckets and to keep making progress in the right direction. It's not going to be easy!

 

The other problem that I am referring to is this:

 

 

Where did the time go and when did these guys get so big? I guess this one really isn't a problem... it is just a case of life getting away from me. I am really working on embracing each new stage of life as they get older but it is always fun to look back too:)

 

Other than being overwhelmed by lots of candy (and other great food) and realizing just how much my boys are growing up, we had a pretty good Easter weekend. There was lots of food, family and fun! I hope that you had a great weekend too. Here is a quick review of our weekend in pictures.

 

Easter fun with Grandma Jane

Easter breakfast, Egg hunt, and service with Grandma Judy who ended up with a hairline fracture in her arm after a fall while hiding eggs at her house on Saturday

Riley (12), Isaac (9), Aidan (5)

 

Enjoying Grandma Betty's farm while hunting eggs

Some of my favorite 'random' pictures from Grandma Betty's

 

There were a few things missing from our Easter weekend- Papa & GJ (who moved to Missouri almost a year ago) and some good workouts to offset all of the food and candy (projects and family activities didn't allow for much else). Hopefully a visit with Papa & GJ will be in the near future!

 

Now that we are back home and have our routine again we are back to our normal workouts as well. We are still going strong on the Piyo challenge and are really enjoying it! I will have more on that in the future!

 

 

 



Happy Easter

Happy Easter to all of my running peeps... and any other follower 'peeps' as well. I hope you had a blessed day!