Thursday, June 18, 2009

"Lettuce" Shred

A couple weeks ago all I could talk about was Jillian Michaels and her torture exercise DVD - The 30 Day Shred. She was thoroughly kicking my tail each night.

Notice I said was.

After that week I took a break from it. That break has turned into an extended vacation. Now I would say it's more like a permanent separation.

But I don't want it to be.

My follow through with things that I really don't want to do - dieting, exercise, taking vitamins, cleaning - is awful. AWFUL. When it comes to these dreaded tasks my determination starts out strong but then comes to a screeching halt.

S recognizes this lacking quality in me. Sometimes he just makes a friendly comment...

"What happened to the diet?" as I greedily shovel Häagen-Dazs in my mouth.
"Shut up." I reply in between bites.

Other times he gives me a little push in the right direction. Like helping me look for sports bras in Walmart.

We found a three pack for 10 bucks that work pretty good when I wear two at a time. I only know this because I tried them on at home and did a test jumping jack. I have not actually wore them during a workout, and they mock me for it daily.

I know he only has my best interest at heart, and that he is just trying to support me in goals that I WANT to obtain. But that doesn't stop me from being a b*tch about it when he's "encouraging" me.

Truth is, it's not him I'm mad at. I'm mad at myself.

I hate that my motivation fizzles and that I end up quitting. I hate that my follow through is worthless. I hate that I fail myself every time I stop doing things to improve myself.

I don't know why I feel defeated before I even start. I don't understand why I have to work at it so hard and it comes natural to other people.

I've been following Angie's "Trim the Fat" Thursdays and I've decided to follow her example. Every week she lists her goals for the upcoming week. The best part is that she updates the following week, being very honest about how she did.

I think (or at least I hope) that trying this will hold me accountable. And that I will make obtainable goals.

1. Drink 4 glasses of water a day. (I know it should be more, but I need a workable starting point.)
2. Take vitamins EVERYDAY.
3. Work out with Jillian 3-4 times.

So there is what I hope to accomplish this week.

Wish me luck! (Advice welcome!)

27 comments:

Lorie said...

Brandy, good luck...I know what you mean...I bought the carving trike and was on it once...but to be honest it has been 100+ degrees here almost daily, but there I go making excuses....

I hope you can follow through, and I'm very sad you did not try on your sports bras in WalMart, I could have used another hysterical post about your adventure....

Have a great day.

The Four Week Vegan said...

You can totally do those things this week - I know you can, I know you can, I know you can. Now with that said, I totally understand - I was even contemplating not walking today until I read your post - thanks!!!

Roxane said...

YOU CAN DO IT!!! but please dont ask me advice about motivation. I am the WORST lol!

April said...

Good luck Brandy. I think it is better to make small goal that are attainable so you do feel accomplished.

The Royal Family said...

AHHHHHHHHH.......... It was like reading my personal journal. I am not sweet when my hubs is "encouraging" and it IS because i'm mad at myself... I have had to step up the excersize and diet since gestiational diabetes has kicked in, that doesn't mean that I am successful everyday... no no no. But I hear you, and I can't wait to get the baby out so I can work out more... but who knows how long that will last. Good luck and yes start with easy goals, I did water consumption and added veggies to every meal that I could and I think that was the EASIEST of my goals.

As for Lori's comment about you trying out the bra and letting us know,... I second that!

The Royal Family said...

p.s. FREE ice cream from Kroger isn't going to help temptation!

Jayme said...

remove temptation from the house, remove temptation from grocery list and coupon bag. Hard to stay true to oneself when temptation stares you at the face everytime you open the pantry or freezer door :)

you can do it girl! stay strong :)

Sheryl said...

Good Luck - you can do it. Keep your goals small and manageable. Hey that's great advise - why can't I follow it. I am like you, my follow through is all wrong.

Maybe we are too hard on ourselves and really do need to make those goals smaller and more reachable.

Have a great day.

Marisa @Loser for Life said...

Good luck!

That Girl said...

I was thinking of doing the same post yesterday but time got away from me. See, I make excuses about that too. I wish I had a magic wand!

Amy said...

I wish you much luck! I turn my exercising into a competition or obsession - that is my motivation.

CaraBee said...

One thing that has helped me is making a list when I go to the grocery store and STICKING TO IT. Don't even go down the frozen aisle.

Have you considered a sports bra from Cacique? They're expensive as hell but they do the job and they come in all sizes. I stopped buying cheap ones because they suck. In fact, I will happily buy my unders at Target or wherever, but for bras I shell out the cash because nothing is worse than a cheap, ill-fitting bra.

Jen said...

that is a good idea and good luck.

Amber Dupree said...

I also have motivational issues. Really bad.

Candice said...

I always wear 2 sports bras when I work out.

Gotta keep the girls tied down appropriately, ya know?

I also don't want brain damage or a black eye.

Penny Lane said...

Maybe try to work some easier workouts into the mix, so you don't dread it every day. I workout to dvds at home, too, and I have a Jilian tape, but I alternate her with The Firm, Leslie Sansone (when I'm really needing to let my mind and body rest a bit), and others. Just a suggestion. Variety helps me.

PS - You can get some great deals on great sports bras at TJ Max (Adidas, Nike, etc). It might be $10-$18 for one, but you won't have to wear two that way.

mommakin said...

Good intentions.

Road to hell.

Something about pavement.

I have motivation issues, too. And I'd rather be on the Highway to Hell than the road to hell.

I need a nap. (sorry - I guess I'm bad influence bloggy friend...)

Sapphire said...

Well, I haven't been by for a while and I came to get that apple cake recipe. I'm making it for father's day and this is what I found. I just want to say thanks for writing this blog post for me. I was totally getting ready to write my slacker post and since you've done it, I've experienced some catharsis, so now I don't have to. And how funny, I am on Day 4 of doing the 30 day shred. Last Monday I started out by doing Level 1, circuit 1 only and I let that go after just two days!!! I suck big time, but I am trying it again this week. I started Monday and have done the entire level 1 workout every day so far. Check on me next week and we'll see how I'm doing.

Mom said...

Good luck! I am SO going to workout and lose weight this summer. When school starts up in the fall, I want to be down a whole bunch of pounds!

Life...Exaggerated

AiringMyLaundry said...

Good luck! You can do it!

Shannon said...

Lack of follow-through is my downfall, too.

Um, yeah... I haven't let Jillian kick my ass in over a week. Sigh.

The other morning I was eating a cinnamon roll (ok, ok... it was 2 cinnamon rolls) and when Shane walked into the kitchen, he made some remark about how Jillian would not approve of my breakfast. Yeah, that just made me want to grab another (third) cinnamon roll.

Maybe I should start doing the "Trim the Fat" posts too... we can stay on each others asses... maybe then they will get smaller, LOL!

Carey-Life in the Carpool Lane said...

I so could have written this very post myself. I hear you...

Great idea to list your goals (and realistic goals is the key).

Good luck!

Denise Grover Swank said...

Girl, you're talking to the woman who had a gym membership, bought a Wii Fit and then just bought a Wii EA Sports Fitness. I like the gym but it's hard to go with all these dang kids around. I like the Wii Fit but there's huge pauses between activities. And then you have to pick something else. I really like the EA Sports Fitness. I tried it on Tuesday and my booty was SORE on Wednesday, but not sore enough that I couldn't move. And I didn't feel like I was dieing doing it either. I'm planning on doing the 30 challenge next week when I get home. I'll let you know how it goes.

Anonymous said...

Good luck!

And I noticed you gave yourself THREE goals and bought THREE sports bras.

It's a sign. You're on the right track here.

Christina - Rant Rave Roll said...

I really need to start exercising, but I am unmotivated too. I'm stuck with the when, where, what... Hopefully soon.

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

I am sooo going to join you with this. I need accountability. And a place to at least put my thoughts out there. I have been doing Weight Watchers for 6 weeks now...and I am so frustrated. I am losing. But the amounts...ugh. I finally hit the five pound mark. I guess the good thing is that it is not going in the opposite direction.

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