Motivational Monday 2 (On Sunday)

First of all, the love and support I received from my last post was wonderful! I'm posting this today because tomorrow is my birthday and I probably won't get around to posting on the day itself.

I'll be honest though, this last week wasn't super great in terms of weight loss. I can exercise, that really doesn't bother me. I'm enjoying running; however, I am somewhat doing  my own version of Couch 2 5K. The program recommends that you do the running intervals 3 times before advancing, but sometimes I find myself needing 4 or 5 times before my body really feels ready. I don't think there is any shame in listening to my body. I also really enjoy Cassey Ho from Blogilates.com. She is a pilates instructor but the exercises are always in quick circuits to keep your heart rate up, and she incorporates HIIT routines in as well. She is very bubbly and upbeat, which annoyed me at first, but when I'm ready to collapse her personality really does motivate me. I'm not strong enough to do 100% of the moves each video, but I don't let myself stop, and I figure that's half the battle. So, exercise isn't my problem...

Food is.

I'll start the day with great intentions and do really well until about 3pm and then binge. Like that Smartfood cheddar popcorn I ate this week, if I'm honest, or the fact that some of my friends and I went out for a few drinks on Friday to celebrate my early birthday. And the hibachi I ate last night to celebrate Mom's birthday. Oh, this is embarrassing, but it's life and I know many of you are struggling with it too. I used to not eat when I got anxious, and now I eat when I do. 

I've always been very open and honest about my anxiety, and since school has gotten out my social anxiety has hit a new high. I feel like no one wants to celebrate my birthday and people who are coming out to dinner with me are doing so out of obligation, not desire. I know that is a straight up LIE, because who would drive an hour one-way to see a friend if they didn't care about them? My prayer this summer is to see me as God sees me- loved, cherished, desired, forgiven, redeemed. 

Imagine my surprise when this morning upon walking in to church the sermon was about those words I just listed. Not only that, but our new series is called Renovate and this week's sermon was on Guilt. Next week is Anxiety. God answers prayers in all shapes and sizes. 

So back to today. I joined Weight Watchers in mid-April, and today was probably the first day I was 100% honest. I'm currently starving and having to train my body that just because I feel some sort of emotion does not mean that I have to eat. Today felt good to follow the plan. I created a visual reminder on my mirror in my bathroom with strips of paper labeled Day 1- 21. At the end of each day I will rip off the day if it was a good day (meaning I followed the plan and stayed positive). 

Although this week wasn't a great week, today was a good day. I've already looked at the restaurant's menu for tomorrow night and picked out what I'm going to get and calculated the points. I'm not going to use my birthday as an excuse to ruin my week because I feel like it. Mind over matter.

And with that, I will "see" you next Monday! What keeps you motivated?