Tomorrow is the hardest day of the week for me. I have such a hard time finding things to do on Saturdays. I may just have to get caught up on some reading and watch some shows that are sitting on my DVR.
This is why planning ahead is so important. I am not advocating that you create a schedule that places a strangulating hold on your life, just that you have a general plan of how you will spend your time, and you especially have a few "go to" activities for when the emotional temptations are clouding your vision (they will, and you will be able to tell because you will find yourself trying to justify an action you know violates your predetermined contract with yourself).
As the old saying goes: failing to plan is planning to fail.
Let's use the diet example again: The beginning stages of the diet are sometimes the most challenging because you have yet to fully adjust your body and mind to your new lifestyle. All of this is new and your old habits are still very instinctive. Pizza with the kids, dinner with coworkers, a cookout with friends are all potential pitfalls that can completely derail some people. But if we know that event is coming up (and 99% of the time we do), we can plan ahead. We find those situations much easier to manage when we are not hungry because we've just eaten 12 oz. of chicken along with a large salad. All of a sudden, the temptations can be resisted!
And it just gets easier with time and positive results.
So think about a basic schedule you want to keep. For me there were certain days where it was set in stone that I was going to the gym (I even put it as a recurring appointment on calendar). I had group get togethers that got me meeting new people and, along with enjoying the group, knowing other people would be there counting on ME to be there too was good to keep me accountable and attending, even if I didn't 'feel' like it.
I thought about what to do in case of an 'emergency'. The inner dialogue I had going on was absolutely fundamental and irreplaceable for me. Having short phrases I would tell or ask myself in a moment would help me stay on track. I still keep (3+ years now) a list of Bible verses and advice I created and printed off in my wallet. Wherever I am, I can quickly and easily pull that out and read through all or a section of them to set my mind at ease or remind me of my goals.
All of this was a very PROACTIVE effort on my part because I knew I needed to change the way I understood and valued myself and my life. And like any diet, it was challenging at first, but I found that as soon as I made the decision, it was actually quite freeing. It was as though I didn't even have to think about the temptation anymore because I had already decided I would not be partaking in that. The decision was made, I was just living it out.
Over time, my body and mind acclimated and then thrived on my new 'diet'. The old and unhealthy ways were no longer nearly as appealing, and the newer, healthier ways were strengthening and motivating.
The two biggest factors I can think of are:
1) Mental resolve, and 2) Planning ahead for when #1 fails me
Every action you take is a conscious decision you make. As uncomfortable as some decisions make us, we always have the control and the power, which is why I say in full confidence to anyone willing, "You CAN do this."
You can do this.
-PM
M:12y - BD:12/11 - D:6/13 - 4Ds
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." -MLK Jr.
