Friday, April 17, 2009

Of Carrots & Cookies

I’ve heard it said that more people are motivated by the fear of loss than by the prospect of gain. That’s hard for me to imagine, since I’ve determined I am absolutely in the latter category. Put the carrot in front of me and I’m off to the races (a cookie works even better).

Participating in Linda’s 30 x 5 challenge (part 2) has brought this to the front of my thinking. The first challenge is to exercise for at least 30 min. per day, 5 days a week. I’m actually enjoying that, except for the shoulder muscle I pulled using the new weights Builderman fixed up for me. My technique apparently leaves room for improvement. This week, we added part 2 to the challenge, which means denying yourself a 100 calorie indulgence daily; the fine art of resisting. I believe I’ve heard that referred to as self-discipline. Can you see my eyes rolling?

As a result of this focus, I find myself thinking “what can I NOT have that I want today?” Of course, immediately I start picturing favorite forbidden foods. Instead, I find it more productive to think on “what can I have that’s delicious and healthy?” Maybe there’s a big kid inside me, okay, so there IS a big kid inside me. I’ve got to work with her, so I’ve decided my mind needs to focus on four things I will do today to be stronger, healthier and more fit. Just for today. Tomorrow has enough worries of it’s own, so here’s what I can do today:

1. Eat 5 servings of fruit and vegetables.
2. Drink 8 glasses of water
3. Exercise for at least 30 minutes.
4. Celebrate Friday. (That’s a good reason for a celebration, don’t ya think?)

If anyone wants to throw in an incentive for me, you won’t believe what I’ll do for a Starbucks card. : ) What motivates you?

7 comments:

Melanie said...

Hi! I went back to see your "ugly mug" vlog. You are charming!

If you get CTN up your way, my friend and I will be on the HomeKeepers show with Host Arthelene Rippy this Monday @ 5:30 am and 1:00 p.m.

Kathleen said...

You and I would be great team-mates in the field of competition because I'm all about the cookie. Put a goal in front of me, and I long to reach it. Not for the sake of competition, for but the sake of the result. And I love a good result! I can then sit back and ponder it with relish, knowing that sense of pride that comes with having done something well.

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

Well, of course, don't count me into your giveaway, but I do have some things that motivate me.
1. Accountability (Hence, 30 x 5)
2. Remembering/Envisioning for the future about how clothes look so much better and how much more positive and outgoing I feel when I'm a little "sleeker."
3. At this point in my life, health reasons.

I hesitated to put a negative component into the 30 x 5, but it really is a small sacrifice which can help us mentally, and I just heard on TV again this morning how you can lose 10 lbs a year by doing this.

Beverlydru said...

Am I giving away something?? LOL - I had to come re-read this post when I got Linda's comment. I'm not giving away a Starbucks card today. Maybe another day. I was just laughing to think of what I'll do with a little bit of incentive.

Diane Meyer said...

Gosh, it is my birthday week with more celebration meals than I've ever had in my life. NOT a good week to jump in with the second part of 30x5. But I did run this morning.
Good job. You encourage me to join in and not give up.

Kelly said...

I went swim suit shopping - I got motivated REAL FAST too start exercising. Summer will be here soon and we belong to the pool. Enough said.

sara said...

Oh I so lack in the discipline department. But a good dose of healthy competition does wonders for me.....I don't like to lose! ha!

I'm doing Linda's 30 x 5 challenge too. so, if you're in for some extra accountability/competition, let me know!