I am attempting to once and for all come up with a “plan” I can stick to, one that satisfies the balance of what needs to be done and want I want to do, as well as introduces a routine I can not only accomplish, but stick with, for diet and exercise. This time, I will approach this from not only a goal-oriented standpoint, but one that takes into account my many, many weaknesses. Maybe I can finally come up with a course of action that is both achievable and rewarding.
First, I need to enumerate my goals. What are the things that I really want to achieve? I need to keep my list short and realistic — I can tackle more ambitious plans at a later date, once I manage the smaller ones. Too much change and pressure to succeed at once is a path to defeat. I know; I’ve done that.
So, I’ll list no more than five objectives. They should mesh well together and be first steps to a larger goal. These are the ones I have chosen:
- Regulate my diet – I am aware of my peaks and valleys in regard to healthy eating. I need to concentrate on more peaks and less valleys. Instead of falling to the temptation of the fast in fast-food, I need to remember the quick and lasting effects of keeping that in a regular diet.
- Exercise- While this has made every resolution list I have devised in the past 10 or more years, I need to establish an exercise regimen that I will actually subscribe to. I know better than to insist on daily cardio or weight-lifting, or to pretend that the evening walk that sounds great in the morning will actually happen after a long day at work.
- Organize – Yet another ever-present list item, organization both excites and escapes me. Usually, I stand paralyzed while facing a task that is just too daunting to even begin. A better approach would be to attack these chores piece by piece, while maintaining the initial progress. All large projects are easier to complete when broken down into manageable steps.
- Prioritize – This goal has two rewards: More efficiency in all of the things I do, and more time left over to do many of the things I want. At work and at home, procrastination robs me of time, even though it seems to free time by not doing something. The truth is, the time I spend being painfully aware of my procrastination is time absolutely void of any type of productivity or relaxation. It’s too hard to relax when your to-do list scrolls through your head and you aren’t doing anything to shorten it.
- Relax – This is not in opposition to all of the action items listed above, but in concert with them. I need to learn how to effectively use down time, not only to accomplish things, but to allow myself the reward of achieving better work/life balance. Usually, any time not spent working toward an action item is just time I spend worrying about those things. Instead, I need to learn to relax, eliminate unnecessary stress, and allow my body and mind the time it needs to recharge.
There, that’s the first step. I can cross that off of my list. Notice how I didn’t write “lose 10 pounds” or “quit smoking” above? That’s because those are hefty goals that will never happen without the baby steps above. Again, I know, because I’ve tried.
Now I need relatively easy ways to accomplish the above tasks, ones that I will actually be motivated to do, and to continue. For the time being, I will only prescribe one action to each goal, to prevent overwhelming myself with so much that I will be unlikely to even attempt those actions. Here’s what I have in mind:
- Choose and prepare foods in advance. I’m no stranger to a menu plan and a shopping list, but I have been leaving too much to chance by ignoring the two most vulnerable meals of the day – breakfast and lunch. If I don’t skip breakfast altogether, I grab a calorie- and fat-laden breakfast menu item at the local drive-thru. Lunch, which normally occurs when I finally can’t stand the hunger anymore, often comes from the same source. There are no such things as healthy snacks in between because I don’t keep them on hand. These are relatively easy fixes, and if I put a little extra effort into the meal plans and grocery lists I already prepare, as well as spend a little more time in the kitchen on Sunday putting together items that can be made in advance, it’ll be a snap. Plus, I can fix snacks of my own when I’m packing the same items for my daughter for her days in kindergarten. I already know they’re healthy, because that’s the kind of stuff I give her, and because her school has rules regarding snack items (it follows a government health program). I’m also adverse to wasting food, so I know that I would loathe passing over a healthy pre-made item for my usual junk. An added bonus: money saved.
- Forget a strict schedule mandating daily aerobics, three-times-a-week weights, and that ab regimen that never seems to happen. New rule: daily activity – of any type. That means choosing something each day that counts as exercise, even though it may be disguised as something enjoyable. Examples may include actually participating with the kids as they bound around the backyard, taking the dog on a much-needed walk through the park (and watching spring begin to bloom), playing Wii (yes, that does count – try Wii Sports – especially boxing - or Wii Fit if you disagree), or catching a (beginner’s) class at the Y. Instead of shunning additional motion, I will realize that it counts toward my goals, and knock it out when I get the chance.
- Pick one, just one, project at a time and do it. Kitchen counters piling up with mail, discarded school folder contents, and things belonging in other rooms? That looks like the project du jour. I can grab an empty file folder, trash the mailbox spam and non-keepsake drawings, and throw the misplaced items into a basket for a one-pass distribution through the house. Done, and that clean counter and available file folder now deters the mess from recurring (at least, not right away). The next day, when it’s hard to walk into the closet to hang clothes, I’ll deem that day “shoe-to-rack replacement day.” Done. Next challenge? Only if I’m feeling froggy, otherwise, it can count as tomorrow’s.
- Choose tasks in order of importance, not in order of least-resistance. On the heels of the above solution, this will gradually get easier and more productive over time. Sometimes a new task trumps one that has already earned a place on the to-do list. If that’s the case, it needs attention first, regardless of how distasteful it may be. For instance, when there’s a million tings to be taken care of, and I choose the one that’s quick and easy, that’s not always the best idea. Sure, it’s a fast way to complete one of my many tasks, but how long will short task after task delay me from getting to the more pressing matters? The answer is: until the tax return is late, my child’s soccer registration has ended, the bills are past due, or the rebate has expired. I resolve to take care of the time-sensitive and important tasks when they need to be addressed, then move on to the little things that really monopolize my time.
- “Me time” should have a purpose. What’s the point in vegging out in front of the TV if I don’t even enjoy watching it? When designating time for myself, which is critical to a functional life, I will make a point to choose something (or nothing) that actually satisfies my need to decompress. When everything is hectic day in and day out, it may not be a good use of my Time Without Immediate Responsibilities to spend it at a loud concert. On the contrary, if I’ve followed one mundane paper-pushing day with another all week, taking in a documentary may just bore me to tears. The point is, I need to figure out how to effectively utilize my downtime so that I may actually derive satisfaction from it.
Well, that’s the plan. Now it’s time to implement it. It’s a Saturday and the washer, dryer and dishwasher are all in use and sucking electricity. This post counts as a little “me time,” as it allowed me to vent some frustration and lay down constructive ideas, which makes me feel better. The upcoming dusting, vacuuming and general cleaning can count as my exercise, and the grocery store calls later. Tomorrow I can prepare an appropriate number of snacks and lunches to guarantee better eating habits. I’m heading off to straighten my closet.
