One Day At A Time

[CALIFLADY]

This is my mantra. One day at a time.

I posted most of this thread back in April on this board. I still feel strongly about it and I'm working hard at living it out, one day at a time.

I am eating right, drinking lots of water, and getting in an evening four mile walk. What I tell myself, instead of looking at the long road ahead of me (months and months), I look at just today. When the little bowl of Hershey kisses on the secretary's desk calls to me, I look at them and say, "For today, I'm eating right, healthy, and losing this weight. If I still want it tomorrow, I'll eat it then. But for today, I'm going to pass on that chocolate." When I get home and don't feel like walking, I say to myself, "For today, I'm exercising and working at losing this weight. If I don't want to walk tomorrow, then I won't. But for today, I'm going to walk." One day at a time.

The neat part is when I go to bed at night, I feel good about accomplishing what I did today. I don't worry about the big grand plan. I focus on today's baby step. And when I get up in the morning, I want that feeling of success that I felt the night before again (because it feels so good!), so I'm motivated to keep at it. One day at a time.

I feel like the negotiation with myself (I can have it tomorrow if I still want it then) empowers me. It isn't deprivation. It doesn't say no. It just tells my sweet tooth or lazy side that they'll have to wait for another time. Not no. Just not now. And that makes me feel like I'm still in control and not giving up everything.

I figure that 7 baby steps equals one week of success! And 21 baby steps should equal an established habit (so it should be even easier after that).

Thanks for all of your encouragement and keep up the good work!

 

[LisaTx]

It sounds like you're doing everything right.

I know how much I wish I could snap my fingers and be thin and healthy, but one step at a time is the only way it's going to happen. We know that if we make the right choices, like you are doing, we will eventually get to our goal.

 

[WDWLVR]

As someone just starting down the road I think the one day at a time approach is a good one. Thanks!

 

[DoeWDW]

I think your post is just what I needed to read today!

I have been thinking about setting long term goals in concrete, like I'll weigh this much by this date, etc. While this can be motivating for some, I don't think it's the right approach for me at the moment.

I'm going to try to focus on today and doing what I need to do to be healthy. That means eating on plan and exercising. The numbers on the scale will take care of themselves if I focus on just doing what I know will make me more healthy.

I think I'll incorporate a weekly time (during my Sunday official weigh-in and measure time) to reflect on what has gone well and what habits I'd like to change in the next week. Maybe that will be enough goal-setting for me at the moment.

Thanks for the inspiration!

 

[nativetxn]

I focus on today's baby step

<b>Excellent advice!</b> This is a wonderful idea and very motivational.

You are really good at this getting healthy stuff

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

CalifLady,
That's funny that you posted this because I was just thinking this today. I even posted it to my WISH journal. I can get so discouraged. And I'll get discouraged 5 minutes after I feel like I could lick the world. What is that about??

What you said is such a good reminder. Thanks.

 

[kayeandjim00]

What an encouraging post! Thanks CALIFLADY! I'll have to remember this on those days when it all seems so hard. One day at a time.