CHALLENGES – CHALLENGES – CHALLENGES

Yes, that’s what I said – challenges!  I’m sitting here, reading a book while my husband, Mal, watches his St. Louis Cardinal baseball game, and relaxing for probably the last time in the next 8 weeks.  Tomorrow begins what I’ve been waiting for for a couple of years – a 6 week visit with my Grandson, Jamie!  A week after he comes my niece, Madison, is coming for a week.  The day she leaves Mal, Jamie, our son, Dennis, and our other Grandson, Syd, leave for a week in Las Vegas.  We’ll be home 3 days before our Granddaughter, Kassidy, arrives for a month and, straight from the airport, we’ll go to Sedonna, AZ. for 4 days, be home for 3 and go to Phoenix for 3 days!!!!  After that I open my 3 classes a week at 123 Fit!  So, do you think I might have some challenges coming up.  Now they may be a tad more than you have (or maybe a tad less) but a challenge is a challenge and nothing more.   Webster’s definition of a challenge is: a demanding or stimulating situation.  It’s not an excuse to “forget it all and let’s have fun with the kids” for me.  Instead it’s “figure out how to eat well MOST of the time, walk a lot to make up for the times when I don’t and end up “below the 5 on the scale” when it’s all over.  A demanding challenge, FOR SURE!  A stimulating situation, YOU BET but a “done deal” that I’m going to go off my program – NO WAY!

Remember, I tell you to just get “below the 5 or below the zero on the scale” and STAY THERE!  That is, if you’re 167 get below 165, then get below 160 – only 5 pounds to worry about at a time.  I see too many people get below, treat themselves and go above again.  It’s those challenges that they let become problems!  I’ve never worried about a “quick” few pounds coming on because I subscribe to the theory of “easy on, easy off”.  If you put it on fast, it comes off fast.  I was reading an article last week that told about, “last on, first off” meaning the fat cells you add last will be the first ones off – guess they don’t have time to “stick”.  That’s why it’s important AS SOON AS YOU SEE A LITTLE GAIN – go 110% until it’s off.

Anyway,  I may not write in here for awhile since I’ll be busy traveling and enjoying all our  house guests, and loving every busy minute!  I’ll let you know how I do when it’s all over.  After all, it’s just another challenge!!

GOAL SETTING

How good are you at getting to your goal?  Do you actually GET to your goal?  Do you even know WHAT YOUR GOAL IS?  Come on, how are you going to get there if you don’t know where you’re going.  Let’s pretend we’re going to….say Montana….how are you going to get there?  Are you walking?  flying?  driving?  How long are you staying?  A day?  A week?  A month?  What are you going to pack?  Long Clothes?  Short clothes?  Casual clothes?  Dressy Clothes?  Where are you going to stay when you get there?  Stay with friends? Go to a hotel?  Camp out?  Go to a hostel?

Okay, you can see where I’m going.  It’s really hard to start off going some place without a plan.  With any goal setting you have to be smart – that’s S M A R T!  First off – be specific as to what you want to accomplish.  If it’s to lose weight, make it specific – I’M GOING TO LOSE WEIGHT BEFORE I GO ON VACATION on July 26.  Now, make it measurable – I’ll do it by writing down everything that I eat and staying within my calorie allotment and exercising .  Next, be sure your goal is attainable.  Trying to lose 5 pounds a week IS NOT.  Making your goal to lose between 1 1/2 and 2 pounds a week IS!  Be realistic.  Don’t say you’re going to exercise for 2 hours a day – it’s just not going to happen, but, 3 or 4 hours A WEEK is realistic.  And, last, make it traceable.  Write down each day your calories, how much you’ve exercised and SAVE YOUR RECORDS!  If you have a good week, you just might want to repeat it next week.  If your goal wasn’t met, check what you’ve written and see where the improvements can be made.  Don’t let anything stand in your way of success.  YOU CAN DO IT!  I KNOW YOU CAN!  If you need any help you can reach me through this blog or e-mail me at salleyawitz@gmail.com.  I’m here for you!