Tips For Tuesday: Make A Contract... With Yourself

I'll start tomorrow.

I'm too tired today.

Just one more chocolate chip.

I went on a five minute walk, I can eat a huge little slice of cake and three a scoop of ice cream.

I've been chasing a kid around all day, I don't want to exercise.

Why is losing weight so hard?

I have this, I have that, I'm to this, I'm to that.... I don't have time. I'm to busy, I just want...

Wishes, excuses, wishes, excuses. They don't give you anything but frustration and a big headache. And if you've been through this before... possibly a huge emotional breakdown. Been there.

In fact, I felt this way A LOT last week. 

Thursday night after spending a day of feeling frustrated about my weight bouncing back and forth between 160-157, eating (gulp) an entire chocolate hersheys bar, one tootise pop, and a heeping palmful of semi sweet chocolate chips, and looking over a few blogs that really inspired me to break out of my 170-167 cycle. I came upon something that really kicked me in the pants. 

That night I also did something else. I made a contract. Or at least... I started to make one. I didn't finish it until Friday morning during LW's nap-time.

Here is a weird fact about me. I am a very loyal person. I always have been. I will defend those I love and care about to my last breath. If I make a promise, I will NOT break it. Promises are huge to me. Probably because I've had others break so many with me. It hurts. It's sad when someones promise no longer means anything because they've broken so many. I have trust issues, they aren't uncalled for, but I'll leave it at that. I do not want anyone to EVER feel like they can't trust my word. So... when I promise; I follow through. 

Always.

With that said, I always break promises... with myself.

I'm sick of it. I want my word to mean something to me too! I think I break them because I know I can get away with it. It's not hurting anyone else. Just me. Well, that's not true. When I'm in a down/bad mood it effects The Hubs and LW. 

I'm loyal, I already said that, but it's to a fault. My loved ones come before me. ALWAYS. That's not bad, until it gets to the point of not eating until I know everyone else is taken care of, not showering for days because I'm doing things for other people and don't have time (tmi?), not taking time to get myself ready because I'm focused on getting the Hubs out the door for work then my attention goes 100% to LW, etc. Others always come first.

However, I have realized I can put others first even more if I take care of myself. That doesn't mean doing a nice fancy updo everyday, although I would love to do that, that doesn't mean putting make up on everyday (which is fine by me), that doesn't mean ignoring someone to give myself a little "me-time". What it means is taking an hour of the day and working out. One hour, I can do that. It means showering everyday and blow drying at least my roots and bangs so my hair doesn't go crazy. It means dressing in something comfy and cute, not being in my pj's or sweats all day. It means waking up a little earlier so I have time to study my scriptures and write in my scripture journal before the day begins. It means, helping myself be better, and sane, so I can help others! Which is all I want to do! I want to help others.

So, to all those mothers, and wives out there (siblings and friends too). Help yourself so you can help others. That doesn't mean spending two hours (or more) to "pretty yourself up". I have my hair down with a braid holding back my bangs. Nice and simple, but makes me feel a million times better. Take a little time out of your day to help yourself so you can help others more.

For me? This means making a contract... with myself.

Check it out...

Personal Contract

This contract is for helping me improve my health and fitness—that I may have a healthy and strong body so I can live a long life, have more energy, be there for my children and hubby, be able to do the things that need to get done, and be there more for others.

My Ultimate Goal is to weigh 120 pounds and fit into size 5/6 pants.

How am I going to accomplish my goal? Here’s how:

I, Spicy, hereby agree and commit to take the following steps to improve my accountability to myself and increase my chance for weight loss success:

1.     I will not let one small slip-up convince me that I'm stupid, worthless, or a lost cause. I will respect myself by refusing to engage in verbal self-abuse, and I will find positive ways to comfort and support myself when I’m having a hard time. Specifically, I will turn to my supportive husband, Spunky—my partner in crime, prayer, scriptures, uplifting and motivating pictures and/or sayings and/or music. I will relish in my relationships with family and life instead of food.
 

2.     I will not sacrifice my own needs to make other people happy, or do for them what they can and should be doing for themselves. Taking care of myself will help me in being able to better take care of those I love.
 

3.     I choose to be in charge of my own decisions and behavior. I will not talk, think, or act as if my cravings, subconscious, or someone else made me do it. I will ask myself what’s most important to me at that moment and make my decision.

v  Create a schedule

    Ø  Enabling me to see what time I have available to focus on my health and fitness.

    Ø  Helping me to better manage my time to help/play with my children.

v  Create a meal plan and stick to it

    Ø  Help with my craving of sugar and snacks

    Ø  Help me stay within my caloric intake and make my food journal easier

    Ø  Have a Fruit with breakfast and lunch

    Ø  Have a Veggie with lunch and dinner

    Ø  And also help with our monthly food budget.

    Ø  Allow me to have a dessert every night without over indulging.

v  Have at least one hour of activity a day

    Ø  Run three times a week (T, Th, Sa)

    Ø  Yoga, Walking, and Cross Fit Training the other days.

v  No Excuses! I know what it takes. I know how to get it done.

I AM BEAUTIFUL, HEALTHY, FIT, AND THIN!!! I AM 120 POUNDS!!!

I AM DOING THIS—NOW!!!

Beautiful isn't it? More like crazy. It means waking up at 5:30am everyday. I am NOT a morning person people!!! I would rather stay up until 5:30am then wake up at that time ANY DAY! However, I do not like sleeping past 8am unless I'm sick or I stayed up until 5:30am the night before, haha.

The point of this Tip for Tuesday is that after the initial drive and motivation wears off, you have to keep finding motivation. You have to keep finding things to drive you. You have to stick to the plan and follow through with your goals.

Weight Loss and maintenance is only 20% Exercise. 80% Food/Dieting.

You know what to do; now stop making excuses and do it!

If you need help, Spunky and I are here to help in whatever way we can.

Now get off your butt and get it in gear! :D You CAN do this!

Until Next Time,
Spicy