I have struggled a bit this week with my new health routine. In the process, I discovered something about myself. I am a creature of habit. Starting new habits is usually not difficult for me, and at the beginning of week eight I felt confident that I could live this way for the rest of my life. I was getting in my activity, following my macros, and feeling proud.
Then mid-week arrived, and everything suddenly felt overwhelming. Trying to get in 50 minutes a day on the NuStep, ten minutes of yoga, and ten minutes of stretches felt like a lot. My macros were a struggle. I did not want to eat at all. I did not want to write. It took me until today to realize that from Wednesday until last night I was simply out of my routine. This is not a complaint, only a reality.
The funny thing is, I enjoyed every part of what pulled me off schedule. I enjoyed preparing the Thanksgiving meal. I enjoyed eating it. I enjoyed the time I spent with friends and family. There is no part of that I would trade.
This morning, while updating the weekly report for Coach Becky, I had to stop and think about what was actually hard for me. I usually write that nothing is hard or difficult, there are only challenges to overcome. During this journey, I am trying to frame everything as lessons learned. So it took some digging to understand why this week felt like such a challenge.
As much as I like to think I am flexible, the truth is that it is easier for me to maintain good habits when I feel in control of my life. And what gives me that sense of control is routine. Yet I hate being locked into routine because I do not want to miss out on moments that matter. So yes, I am conflicted.
The good news is that with just a bit more planning, there is no reason for me to feel all this angst about the healthier path I have chosen. None at all.
And despite everything, I still managed to get in all of my activity this week. I stayed on track with my macros. I slept well every night. I gave this week everything I had. The only area I slipped was getting in all three meals. Twice I skipped a meal because I was busy and not hungry. I did eat the calories I needed, but it meant scrunching them into one large evening meal that took nearly an hour and a half to finish.
After eight weeks, I am down 19 pounds and 19½ inches. I have more energy most days, and my walking has improved. Eight weeks ago I averaged around 860 steps per day since January. In the last 55 days, I have averaged 5,240 steps per day. This week I averaged 7,985.
Isn't it odd that with all this progress, my brain still tries to focus on where I could have done better? Maybe the real test for me is learning to let go of negative self-talk.
Have you ever felt like you were struggling or failing at something, only to discover later that you were actually right on track for success? I would love to hear how you encouraged yourself to keep going.
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