I am not typically a fan of New Year’s Resolutions.
They’re those assertions we make, usually out of guilt, and simply because we have regrets. In other words, they come from a place of negativity. In fact, they are usually worded like this: “Ermergerd! [interjection] I am such a fat hippopants [predicate nominative]. I need to exercise more. [overgeneralized statement]”
Not terribly helpful, is it? I mean, you’re saying things to yourself that aren’t particularly motivational–or even true. You wouldn’t even say those things to your friend, your dentist or to your mother’s botanist friend who smells like a ficusius fabulous.
So stop it. Stop it right now.
I think to myself, “Self. What motivates you?”
Consider the benefits and rewards over the drudgery. And be specific. Specificity breeds action.
So, instead of saying to myself, “Self, you suck with your time management,” (this is my issue right now) I am making the concerted effort of saying, “Self, you rock it out. I think you put it all out there, from your head to your toes. Unfortunately, you’re working too hard all day long because your scheduling skills could be a little bit of tweaking. What if we put together a schedule and you can be fabulous in other ways, too.”
And you can apply this thinking to yourself whether you’re trying to quit smoking, trying to add more exercise, or even try one new, healthy dish a week.
Start with the positive. “Self, you are so seriously swank! I just dig the way you pull off a pony tail. Now how about we…
“…scale back by one cigarette today because I don’t need those dopamines to put the swang in my thang.”
It can even be as simple as…”Now how about we drink one more glass of water today to keep that skin hydrated and seriously luscious.” Or, “Now how about we walk around the block today, just to peek at the neighbors’ Christmas decorations, because I am spontaneous, and it’s more fun to exercise when exercise isn’t really the goal. Hey! I’ll even listen to Paul Anka Christmas tunes. Who cares if it’s January?! Not moi, chickiedoodles!”
Start with the positive. Be decisive. End positive. Make a self-love sandwich. It might just be the best thing your brain (and psyche) eats all year.
Now on to how I’ve been doing with my weight loss and continued sussing out of foods to which I’m intolerant or allergic to… Be sure to do your thing. I am thrilled share my progress and thoughts, but I’m not the person you should necessarily look to for dieting advice (I’m not a paid nosh-a-titian). Be sure to subscribe for updates by adding your email right (in the sidebar) or through Feedburner in the title bar up top. You can also click the tab up top that says Mid-Year Resolution for regular updates.
Tuesday, January 1
I ate this:
Breakfast: Nothing. I had such a huge meal last night, I wasn’t hungry.
Lunch: Pizza scrapings + Cucumber + Dip + three cherries from a pie I made and a Tbsp of pumpkin from pumpkin pie
Dinner: Pizza scrapings + Dip + a few bites of a Kakauna cheese log
Notes: I know I didn’t make great food choices. I low-carb ate foods left from NYE. 🙂 …but they were lower carb, for sure.
What I learned:
I can so taste the nasty in the processed foods. The dip and the cheese log (leftover from last night) I thought were going to taste like dairy marvelousness.
Instead, it was more like eating sand and dairy flavorings.
Well, at least I’m not tempted by those anymore.
I know I haven’t touched a bit of wheat anything or potato anything, and I am so glad for that.
I love knowing that those foods make me so miserable they’re not worth it.
needs some swang in her thang…. thanks for the ♥
I gained 7 lbs over the hollidays sooo really need to get back on the low carb . Bread was my down fall. Got it all out of the house now.
Woohoo on getting rid of it! Once you lose the inflammation from the gluten, you’re going to feel so much better! If your nose gets stuffy, too, that’s just another sign of a possible allergy.
LOVE the way you write!! Was my first laugh today but what had me giggeling was the head.. I know, a dirty mind is a joy forever but I really thought you meant something else 😀
I gained 6 lbs over the last three weeks (!!) as once I let myself go a little towards wheat and sugar, I just can’t seem to keep a hold on myself as I do tightly when eating good low carb stuff. I can’t believe how crappy it had me feeling as well, stuffed nose, head aches, the WORST pms 🙁 (poor hubby) aching muscles and back….
Truth be told, I am glad my days of self-approved indulgence are done and I have learned that I will deffinately do it diferently this year 🙂
My resolution was a vague one at that: take better care of myself but I didn’t specify as I need to do this in all aspects of my life.
I have started cycling (partly) to work, even though the weather sucks, have dusted off the rowing machine LOL and am loving my low carb food: porridge of flax and chia with cocoa, eggs, meats, muy mucho veggies…YUM!
Thanks again for you and your site, you help so many of us and you are so human too ;P
Nikki– you are so sweet for calling me human. My children sometimes look at me like I’m sent here from hell in a subterfuge plot to force them to clean their bathroom so it doesn’t look like their sink is growing hair.
I love your goals! I LOVE rowing machines, too. We had a Concept2 and it was so much fun to use.
Love yor honesty in posting what you’ve eaten! And we all need that sandwich of self love!
So true! Preach it.