Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Put your money where your mouth is
I don't want to blog about this. I'm actually quite tired of the subject. However, Amy at All Things A Ro has issued a challenge and I just can't let it go.
As many of you know, I really struggle with eating healthfully. I crave sweets and I often don't make the most healthy meal choices either. And the more I read about artificial sweeteners, the more I think that my Kroger Big K Diet Citrus Drop is sabotaging me. I know, I know, they've been talking about it for years, but I've ignored it. But now I'm actually paying attention to how I feel while I'm drinking the Drop. And what I feel is – where's the rest of my food? I have more drink left, but I'm out of food. Alternatively, I'll think that I want a drink, but I can't have it without also eating something. For some reason, I'm not sure why, but that just doesn't sound right to me.
I also struggle with moving my body. Some days it's a literal struggle – the old hip is wonky, or my foot hurts, or my shoulder is bugging me. But most of the time it's just inertia that's keeping me down (in my chair, in front of this very computer). My dad likes to say of me sometimes, "for such a smart person you sure can be dumb." It's true! Despite incontrovertible evidence that eating right & exercising are overwhelmingly to my benefit, I sit, eating bonbons (not literal bonbons – at least not recently).
So, here comes Amy Ro with a challenge. She says: Every day that I get up to exercise I will donate one dollar to the Special Olympics. Every day that I eat without gluttony and choose healthy options and have a healthy attitude towards food I will donate one dollar to my local food pantry. It is a win win situation. I will become more thankful for my blessings, I'll be able to help others who aren't as fortunate, and I will become a stronger healthier person...not to mention some tax write offs at the end.
Well heck Amy, that's just entirely too healthy of a goal for you to have on your own. So I'm joining you darn it. You can tell I'm very excited. Sigh. Truth be told, I would rather just do whatever I want to. But somewhere deep inside, my (actual) heart (muscle) is saying, "At last!"
I don't want to disappoint it. Or let Amy earn more bucks than me (she will anyway – she's disgustingly disciplined). Join us if you dare!
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To quote you, "ouch!" I am cut from the same cloth as you, my dear. I think you hit on the key word with anything we set out to do and make a habit (no matter what it is): discipline. I flunk. The FlyLady stuff really does help me there. How hard is it to keep dishes out of the sink? Not hard. How hard is it to make the bed? Not hard. And heck, yesterday I even yanked the sheets off the bed and got them washed. Without being told to do so. I got on a roll, and to tell you the truth, the best motivation is how good I feel about what I have accomplished. The house really DOES look better. I had time yesterday to work on a scrapbook layout. Eating? Exercise? Now that we belong to a gym I have NO EXCUSE. I'm sure I'll find one, but deep in my heart I'll know better.
ReplyDeleteAll of which is to say, Good for you! I will do my best do join you and Amy and co. As soon as I finish my coffee and blogging.
I let my gym membership run out in April because I just wasn't getting my butt there. Now I'm a lot stiffer and I've acquired a bit of belly fat. I intend to get back to it this fall. No sense in rushing things! ha.
ReplyDeleteGood for you Dana! That sounds like a great way to motivate yourself.
ReplyDeleteDear The Bug,
ReplyDeleteThat listening to your body thing can be a real drag. I know.
As for the exercise, one thing is that we expect people to go to the gym. I finally realized, I hate the gym. I hate changing clothes and the machines that don't go anywhere. Excuses? Oh yeah.
So, I like dancing and bicycling and taking long walks. Right now, I'm bicycling but I am also going to take tap this winter. Also, with the food. If it's not fun, it's hard to scrape up the interest. Therefore, the Bento. Maybe a few other things coming up.
So besides dragging out what you used to do, find a way to trick yourself into it being fun. I am having mixed success, but overall I think doing it MY way has meant I could do it at all.
A worthy cause also ties you to more guilt if you fail. It would not work for me. At least not by itself. Or you could tie this to a goal like skipping sodas, and jar that money, making the other changes the way YOU want to make them. Then you don't give up everything that is fun or customary, but still start making changes.
But you don't have to take my advice either. I am just putting in an alternate that might get you where you want to go.
I am crazy about you as you are, but I also know everybody has to take stock and improve on occasion.
Best of luck and much encouragement,
Ann T.
Dear Bug - you'll do it, I know! I used to dance (22 years of it) and run and ride and stuff before this malaise grabbed me by the scruff of my neck. Now that I can't do any of that and have to take drugs that blow me up like a bullfrog, I still try and walk everyday on the beach - once the endorphines get ya, you'll feel great - I promise.
ReplyDeleteHey, listen don't worry about not being able to comment on my Stormy Weather post. Bloody dreary it was, too. I don't blame you one bit. I haven't been commenting much on other friends' blogs much...mainly 'cos I feel I can't write coherently anymore with all the mush in my brain.
I'd still love to send you the linocut - because you are one of the friends I've met via the blogworld and one who I value very much. So get that snail mail addy to me and I'll mail the picture off asap. xx
Here we go then....!
ReplyDeleteGreat challenge! I salute you both!
ReplyDeleteI completely understand what a challenge this is for you, Bug. I've been working on healthful eating/weight loss/exercising since January. I feel so much better - joints, digestion, sleep, attitude, etc. It's been slow going but regular exercise is the most difficult part for me. I'm so laaaazy. I wish you great good luck with this. I'll keep you in my thoughts. You'll feel so much better.
ReplyDeleteI really do hope you achieve your goals Dana and that your body will respond in a good way.
ReplyDeleteI know you've had that shoulder problem for a while and you find it so hard to get around some days. All best wishes.
Regards, Phil.
I am so much like you! I don't think I'm ready to commit to this yet, maybe after our trip to Alaska! Nevertheless, I am impressed with you doing this--good work!
ReplyDeleteVERY cool idea! You can lose weight and when someone asks you you brag, "I not only lost weight, I gave my ice cream money to a good cause!" Kim said while eating an ice cream cone and contemplating the vacuum...
ReplyDelete(All joking aside...it's a VERY cool idea!!!)