Stocked, not Stuffed

I finally began to break my lazy eating habits yesterday by going to the grocery store and stocking up on good food. That is the key for me -- keeping the fridge stocked. I believe I mentioned this back on my PCP blog, but it's worth repeating. Keep your fridge stocked with healthy food!

This is yet another thing that I know but seem to neglect. When my fridge is empty I think, "I can just walk down the street and get something to eat quickly; and I don't have to prepare it! Woot!" But here's the dumb thing: it's not quicker in the end. For one, I don't have a car right now, so I have to walk or bus everywhere. It takes longer to get around, but it does feel good getting outside for a walk, so no complaints here. But when you count walking there, ordering, waiting, eating, and walking back compared to hitting the grocery store every week or two plus the convenience of walking to the fridge, it's really not faster! In my stupid head I know this. In my stomach I don't.

I also love how I don't feel stuffed after eating healthy food. I feel that I ate an adequate amount without feeling bloated. Gwen iterated this perfectly in a comment on Patrick's post on America. It's about feeling satiated, not stuffed.

It's sad that it's taken me long into the PCC to get serious about my eating habits again, but at least I'm taking a step forward. I refuse to admit failure unless I give up, and that's not happening. The encroaching warm weather is highly motivating in addition to looking good for the opposite sex. It's incredible how motivating that last one is.

-David

Tardy Observations

Hello, everyone! Sorry this post is so late... I was out of the house almost all of Friday and didn't come back home until afternoon today.

I have been trying to observe myself more closely this week. I feel the need to understand more fully how my brain works, to experience my ingrained habits rather than just be a slave to them. To see more clearly how I craft excuses and reasons that help me to convince myself that I do, in fact, need some chocolate (right now!). Especially with the idea in mind that I might be posing for my first PCC weekly photo on Friday, I thought it might be nice to find a way to feel proud every time I could say no to the chocolate, rather than always delighting in any chance of indulgence.

It wasn't a grand a scheme by any means, just a little thought that I kept in the back of my mind. When I would crave something or think to go out of my way to attain some food that was not healthy, I just took a slight pause to question it. It has been a while since I really paused to question my actions. I don't think I have actually done so - at least not with any consistency - since my PCP. It was kind of a relief. I really do feel like a slave to my habitual cravings and reasonings. It helped me to drop the thought much more easily, and just get on with eating well more of the time.

I am going to hold off until next week to start my PCC weekly photo. I never got the chance to take a picture on Friday or today, and I would rather have a regular schedule with a full week in between each picture. That way, I can really see the changes from one week to the next. But I am excited to get it started.

Maybe someone else could kick off their next post with a photo? No pressure, though! :)

Until next week,
Emiko

Constantly Conscious

What a week. Like Nate, I've had a rough week as well. I wrecked my motorcycle last week, but walked away with a bum knee due to road rash. This has set me back on the workouts, but my knee should be fine by the end of the week; thus I hope to fully resume the workouts then.

Unfortunately I've allowed myself to slip on the diets as well. It's amazing how the mind looks for any excuse it can to resort to its slothful state. I have to consciously and constantly remind myself to make better decisions. I was talking to a friend of mine who is being tutored by a wealthy individual in regards to saving money. He said that the primary concept it to be extremely tight with your money. It's a constant, conscious awareness and decision.

This relates to the PCP as last week I asked for advice on how to save money (much thanks to all of you for your advice and contributions, by the way). What I have noticed lately is how much more satisfying food is when you work for it -- when you take the time to prepare it and sit down to enjoy it. Fast food is convenient, but there's always something to regret about it whether it's due to cost or health.

My encouragement to you and myself is to take a moment this week to think about how you can be more conscious of something. Whether it's the food you eat, the way you spend your money, your posture, anything. The more aware of it you are, the more active you can be in pursuing change.

Take care, my friends.