Motivating Myself
I was thinking one day and I realized that if I just had somebody behind me all the way to motivate me I could make a big difference. Nobody came along like that so I just became that person for myself. ~Unknown
I get daily inspirational quotes sent to my email everyday and today I got this one. These few words spoke a lifetime to me, about how I need to be the person I can count on instead of the person who is in my own way. I need to be the person who puts on my sneakers and the person who grabs the the grapes instead of the chips.
I think we've all wished we could just have our own trainer who could kick our butt and motivate us into doing what we need to do. But I don't think there is such a thing as a 24/7 trainer and even if there was I don't think i want a big muscular dude sitting at the other end of my sofa giving me the evil eye beacuse I didn't meet my quota or whatever.
When it's the evening and we're all alone and we're watching tv and we're craving a snack, we are the only person who we can depend on to make the final decision. It's about stopping ourselves right in our track and taking responsibility for our actions. It's about be honest with what we are really doing and not defeating ourselves in the process.
Last night, I felt great as I had done really well all day. I had made pretty good food choices all day. I had water and I walked the big bad stairs as I've been doing for the 100 Day Challenge. I was tired but I was good.
Then I decided a bowl of Kashi cereal wouldn't be so bad and quite honestly I don't think it was that bad of choice. The 2nd bowl I knew was unnecessary, since I was nicely full already. Then when I saw there was leftover mac & cheese from my husband's dinner I knew right then and there I was making an unhealthy choice, that I wasn't even hungry, but I pushed aside the alarm in my head and ate some anyway.
I felt awful and shameful, why couldn't I just listen to myself? I knew what I was doing, I wasn't drunk or in a daze, I was very aware of the decision I was making. I have to learn to listen to myself and not stand in my own way, because I know I'm aware of what is best for myself, better than anyone else.
But you also have to be able to forgive yourself. It’s tough, believe me, I know. What’s done is done and the best you can do is not dwell again. Today’s a new day.
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Robin Reply:
October 1st, 2009 at 9:24 am
@Barb, very true words Barb, thank you!
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I meant not dwell on it. Sorry.
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Love the poster. The company i just designed for had an “Inspiration” one and wanted to put it at the end of the restroom hallway =)
That quote is what I’m finally doing. I’m giving myself advice and taking it. I’m pep talking my self constantly and i love and care about myself.
I’ve stressed out and popped a hand full of smarties in my mouth and caught myself and spit it back out. “What am i doing?” It such a habit that i don’t even think about it. Good luck. I’m still working on my self discipline.
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Robin Reply:
October 1st, 2009 at 9:25 am
@Krystal, discipline is so hard to do for yourself, it’s hard enough to be disciplined by someone else.
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Robin, I think we all go through these struggles, the think is we can’t let it get us down. These are the times, even when we blow it, that we grow from. It is the times that we learn from. When we encounter them next time, we are stronger. The guilt you felt will be part of your deterrent next time. Don’t beat yourself up, just prepare yourself to do better next time.
By the way, great job on the stairs!
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Robin Reply:
October 1st, 2009 at 9:25 am
@South Beach Steve, thanks Steve!
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