What's 'the star chart', you ask?
Only one of the coolest motivational tools my friend Jenn and I came up with and used years ago.
It's literally a star chart for grown-ups. We did ours on excel so that we could customize everything about it. I wonder if I still have it on a random flash drive. If I find it over summer break, I promise I'll share:)
I found this picture here, ironically on a blog talking about this very thing.
I am a list maker. An organizer. A planner. So before I do something, I like to have it all planned out. What I've found is that this works great while trying to achieve my goals- until I have a bad day or two in a row. Then I can (and often do) get depressed and off-track because it feels like, "Why keep trying if I'm failing so miserably". BUT when I keep track of what I've done, especially with something like a star-chart- I can easily see how much I have done and usually get myself right back on track.
What I've also realized lately is that I don't have time to plan and organize like I used to before baby would like to. so I'm just going to have to suck it up and do it.
Do what?
Oh. Just get off my lazy bum, re-organize my priorities, and get back into shape. I know many of my aches and pains would relieve themselves if I would just prioritize working out again. I bet my hormones would calm down too. I don't care about being skinny- I never have. But I am weak and unhealthy and I do.not.like.it.
I've been daydreaming about ways to make it easier. Like joining the local crossfit gym and literally paying someone to whip me back into strong-mode. It's $200 for a one-month required class. YIKES! (If that's not a lot of money to you, I will gladly allow you to sponsor me!) Another friend of mine has been doing the Advocare 24 day challenge. She's 18 days in and 10lbs down. I know this was also an expensive option although I'm unsure of just how expensive.
The thing is, we've been working really hard at paying off debt and I just can't get myself comfortable with spending that kind of dough on something I know how to do on my own...I'm just choosing not to do it. I wrote a couple nights ago about how I used to be super motivated and in incredible shape. In addition to the swimming I've also completed numerous 5k/10k races, 3 marathons, and a couple triathlons of various lengths- I've read countless books and articles on nutrition. I know what to do. I know how to do it. I own the DVDs and tons of tools to help me (yoga mat, running shoes, really awesome road bike, running stroller, treadmill, exercise ball, free weights, etc).
I got online to write about this tonight and found this post by my friend Becca. I really relate to her dilemma: being skinny or enjoying
Yes! Yes to all of it--having a plan, feeling weak and unhealthy, finding some sort of a balance. Let me know what your plan is when you get it developed; maybe it will work for me too. ;) And as for star charts? If you have a smart phone or a tablet there is a pretty decent reward chart app. It works wonders for Allie--maybe it will work for the over 30 crowd as well. :)
ReplyDeleteNo smart phone:( Another thing the budget does not currently have room for.
DeleteWhat I really want is to just wake up one morning and WANT to do this. But I'm becoming more and more allergic to hard work the older I get:)
Haha-I know what you mean. I always feel motivated at night, after I've already eaten all the chocolate and drank all the coke I want for the day. Where DOES that motivation go by morning? ;)
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