I try to write about ways to be happier and honor yourself. But I’ll be the first to admit that quite often I don’t follow my own advice. Yesterday I said we need to listen to our bodies, but I ended up over-snacking after dinner. I wasn’t breathing, feeling, or listening to my body. I had an urge and I acted on it, but I felt icky afterwards. All this only hours after I had written that ever so hopeful post.
So how can we walk the walk? I talk the talk every day, and so do many of us. It’s like that old saying, “those who can do; those who can’t teach.” I can talk and teach for hours about nutrition, breaking habits, being peaceful, finding happiness – but I can’t do it for myself!
One of the best ways to remind myself of my goals is with a picture. This is one of my favorite pictures. It was taken in the summer of 2006, just 7 months after Bobby and I started dating. I was visiting him in Miami and we were over at a friend’s house (Hi Charlie!), just playing around.
Another thing that affects our moods and motivation – the weather. Jenn @ Eating Bender wrote a great post recently about how we are so much happier and energetic when it’s sunny and warm. And when it’s sunny and warm, we want to get out and move, which only makes us feel even better. Here’s hoping for some lovely spring weather (spring is coming in 10 days) & a lovely summer.
These are more pictures from that 2006 summer – berry picking. My focus this week – actually practicing what I preach. How do you remind yourself of what you want, and keep yourself motivated?
I find that the weather also affects my mood. We have had a few warm days here recently and it is amazing how I noticed that myself and everyone around me was smiling more, commenting on the beautiful weather and being more active. There were more people outside, it was great!
I also look at pictures to stay motivated or remind myself of times in my life when I have struggled and overcome and how good getting over that hill feels.
I’ve been in a rut for the past couple of weeks because I’ve been so overwhelmed with work. But I got some of my papers back and I did really well on them, which made me feel accomplished and glad I spent that time on doing work.
I know it’s not food related…but it certainly contributes to my stress, which affects my nutritional choices and exercise patterns.
Maggie, this post can’t be more appropriate to me today. I had a not so good day in term of research and I try hard to convince myself that it’s just a small obstacle along my long research career.
But I think the reason that i feel so bad is because I make the little obstacle a really big life threat. And then I make that made up failure to think I’m a looser, that I don’t worth appreciation from my professor, that I’m a useless person, that I got into grad school by mistake… etc. When I more think about it, worse I feel. But I know that when I am positive, all these negative thoughts dissapear right away and this little obstacle might be a good thing to help me to achieve something bigger.
let’s be positive Maggie, don’t let the negative chain thoughts hurt us like they’re doing it right now.
love~
I admire so much your honesty, Maggie.
For me, I think about this career I’ve chosen and if I really believe in what I tell others to do. If I can’t live by the principles I stand for, what business do I have being a dietitian of any sort? (just my little pep talk to myself). But not to say I don’t have days where I do feel like a failure…but the best thing to do is pick yourself up and remember that tomorrow is another chance to make it right.
Great post – it is definitely hard to walk the walk! I like to try to keep inspirational things around and I like to try to set goals for myself to stay on track of what I want to accomplish. I also really like inspiration music, songs, pictures, weather, and especially quotes! As you can probably tell from my blog, I also really like to challenge myself to try new things or put myself in challenging situations that I think will benefit me in a way that is aligned with whatever goals I currently have in mind.
Since I mentioned quotes, here’s one of my faves:
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” (Mark Twain)
I really admire you for being honest. It makes me feel like I’m not alone and that there is not such thing as “normal” eating. Everyone has their weaknesses and everyone has troubles sometimes. But girl, you eat SO healthy all year round, don’t worry too much about it.
P.S. I totally agree, the weather affects my mood immensely!!!
This is a great post 🙂 I remind myself by remembering the way I feel when things feel perfect and right! That’s how I get through the tough times 🙂
I remind myself of how amazing it feels as I continue to get stronger, healthier, and just overall well 🙂
Great post Maggie, I really appreciate how honest you are. And that picture of you two is too cute. =)
Thanks for posting this, Maggie. I often feel like the only person who struggles with this. I feel so guilty when I have a binge like that, and it seems to happen most often when I am trying to be extra healthy. Its nice to know there are other healthy people with this problem and that its normal.
Love these photos, Maggie… Thanks for sharing some honest thoughts here. I was just doing what you’ve done here – looking at old photos of good times from the summer with friends. I am reminded how those times will come again soon, and I can’t wait..
Great post, Maggie! I have definitely found that at times in life, I have been much better at teaching than doing. I love looking at old pictures to either 1) see how far I’ve come or 2) remind myself of what I’m capable of. It’s funny how they can have both those effects on me.
It’s also so true about the weather – thanks for the shout out 🙂
In keeping myself motivated with this added sugar challenge, I have been reading and re-reading the comments on my blog. It is so nice to hear such encouragement from other people, some of whom I “know” or know well, and some whom I’ve never met. It makes me realize that I can do it when I know there are so many people to catch me if I fall along the way.
Are you able to find vitamuffins somewhere near us? I’ve never had the opportunity to try them. Thanks!
You have PB2 binges too?! I have them ALL the time! Okay, I’m glad that someone else loves it as much as I do that they occasionally just can’t get enough.
Walking the walk can be really difficult- but it’s doable!
wonderful post, adorable picture! i never knew how much weather could influence my mood and health until i moved to boston, it really is a struggle but it makes me appreciate the warmer seasons SO much more.
Great post Maggie! It really made me think! I’ve really been trying to to take my time with things lately and just enjoy the moment and not LIVE for the future! I have to keep reminding myself that and then I enjoy every moment so much more!
Well, I kind of hate that phrase about teachers because I don’t think it’s true. You can do it! You can apply all your knowledge and advice and be happy. I know you will.
I like the fun picture of you and Bobby. I think looking at old, innocent pictures is a great way to remind ourselves that what we want is possible because we once had it.
One thing that helps me is just reminding myself that part of the reason I talk the talk is to be a model for others (i.e. my girls) and that I deserve the same health and happiness that they do! I need to care for and nurture myself as much as I do for others, and if I wouldn’t want my girls, friends or family to do it, I probably shouldn’t either.
Somebody (magpie) sent me this and I think it sums it up about walking the walk being a constant ongoing struggle:
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, “My son, the battle is between two ‘wolves’ inside us all.
One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed,
arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment inferiority, lies, false
pride, superiority and ego.
The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility,
kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.”
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his
grandfather, “Which wolf wins?”
The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”
love it. way to come clean w/ yourself. I have to write to refocus, hence the blog!
Thanks for being so open and honest on your blog! Honestly, my biggest motivator is the future me – I want to be happy and healthy for a LONG time!!
Today’s a new day 🙂
So true – I am SO much happier during the warm weather. I live for the summer. I have a hard time reminding myself what i want and staying on track, which I am really working on getting better at.
In response to your comment to me yesterday, I highly suggest you try spinning one day! It’s addicting. But my advice would be to pace yourself or you’ll hate it. If you’re ever in NY I can give you a guest pass to my gym 🙂
Thanks for being totally honest and raw here. I can definitely relate to talking and preaching it but having trouble following those simple things yourself. I love the power of pictures too.
And thanks for reminding me I’m not alone! Have a great Wednesday!
Great post! I have to think of all the hard work I’ve put into myself this year and realize that only I can make myself better, and I can definitely undo all my hard work, makes it a little easier to make good desicions.
I love the pictures of your berry picking, and thanks for reminding me that spring is so close!
remind myself? huh….
I love your honesty. I feel the same way sometimes, too. It’s easy to outline the way we want or should live than it is to actually live that way sometimes.
Your berry pictures make me sooo ready for summer at the farmer’s market.
Totally agree! Having such a hard time dealing with the cold lately. So ready for spring! 😀