I’m not one that needs to have a partner to do something. I’m very self-motivated, and I find depending on someone to reach my goals as a hindrance instead of an asset. Waiting for others stresses me out. That is just me; everyone is different. For my motivation, I have done a few things.
I started a spreadsheet. I love to document my progress, and frankly, I am very forgetful. I want to be able to look at my notes and know what I have done. This spreadsheet is great for me. I’m also noting my breathing. I have to get over this crap in my chest. Will it never go away? So for my first entry, it says I did ten minutes on the treadmill. Yep, I dusted this thing off, set it up in its area, and committed to this process. I also did 20 minutes of yoga. How did I know what to do? I have taken yoga before, but my prime goal in this is to focus on the area that I need help.
That would be:
—To strengthen my back to pull my shoulders back. As a sculptor, my shoulders are always being pulled forward, and my doctor has told me how bad this is for my breathing. Plus my hands go numb when I sculpt a lot. Practicing good posture is like torture for me, and causes so much pain, but being able to use my hands and breath well is more important. I searched the internet for yoga moves that will help me to open my chest and strengthen my back. (You should see me doing these moves. I look so clumsy, but I have to start somewhere.
— Limber up. I cant touch my toes. I don’t remember if I have ever been able to touch my toes, but I’m trying.
2. I got some fancy stickers on my calendar. Hey, it works for my granddaughter. I love walking by and seeing all of the smiling face stickers on my days. It helps me to remember I need to do this.
3. Record my efforts in a notebook.
For now, that is what I have done for exercise.
As far as my eating goes. Slowly I’m cleaning out my pantry. I have a goal to spruce up my kitchen cupboards. I feel I’ll be spending much more time prepping food here and pantry organizers will be my reward.
I’m also studying vegetarian forums and vegan forums. Facebook groups where new recipes come into my feed on a regular basis have been great. Same with Instagram feed. I’m motivated and can’t wait to try these recipes. I think I might eventually get to doing a new recipe every day.
For now, and for these two weeks, I have decided to kick off my new lifestyle change by doing a green smoothy fast. I love juices, but these smoothies can be easily made in my bullet and will be a great way to ease into this vegetarian thing. My massage therapist was doing one so I though I would try it. I bought the book and am enjoying the green smoothies. I think that in the future, when I’m busy, instead of going out to eat junk food I may become more inclined to pull together a green smoothy, especially now that I have a deep freeze to store things in. I know I bought this for the kids after the fire and when we had five people living in this house, but I don’t think the kids are going to get this deep freeze. When they need one, maybe I’ll buy a new one for them. But I’m liking the deep freeze and being able to prepare things in bulk. I see myself having a variety of vegetarian chili, soups, burgers, etc. ready to grab on a busy day.
TODAYS SPREAD SHEET 10 minutes on the treadmill and 20 minutes of yoga. The point is to do it. No matter how little. It is about showing up.
A new me,
Pusche