The rewards come later!

 

The rewards come much later!  Patience is required. Today is Wednesday and I feel like I'm finally recovered from the last week of training and the grueling schedule with the commute. The worst part for me was lack of exercise and eating sugary treats, extra carbs and fats, etc. I felt so bloated and probably did gain some extra body fat, no doubt. 

It always seems so unfair, and it piles on so quickly. So much that it feels like something is wrong.

But nothing is wrong. The body stores fat easily. And it seems like we didn't really eat that much. The servings often feel so small. It's not like we stuffed ourselves or feel like we ate too much. Many foods have just far too many calories than our body really needs. Yet we look around and see that it's what most people in society eat! So, it doesn't seem fair. When you look around, while some people look fit and trim, you don't really know the calories they consumed in a 24-hour period, extended over time. And the others, well, they are clearly overweight. Society often calls truth ugly names, like fat shaming or whatever. Me, I don't judge others, only myself. Just because they accept whatever they accept, doesn't mean I have to accept it for myself.

Even right now, as I struggle to lose a few pounds, and so many of my friends and family say I should accept where I'm at, I don't have to. While it's harder now than it ever was in my entire life - I refuse to give up. I have to silently bide my time. That makes it hard. Even Randy thinks I should accept where I'm at and only look at others my age (62). That makes it really hard. I feel alone except for you. 

Back to the point where "rewards come much later." We all have to be patient and bide our time. The week before last week I had to prepare a lot for last week. I did as well as I could under the circumstances. Then I had to prepare for getting back on track this week. There was a lot to catch up on at the same time. I did a little food prep and made things for Randy that I couldn't eat on my nutrition plan. We don't go out to eat, at all. Some of what I have on my plan is to help with keeping protein and calories at the level I need to achieve my goals. Other parts of my plan are because of health issues, inflammation, and foods that seem to cause me trouble or create allergic reactions. It seems to get worse as I age. It's frustrating.

It's Wednesday, and I'm already feeling mostly normal. I feel like I've shed whatever small damage I've done last week, and now I need to keep moving forward toward my goals.

All the rewards are delayed, even the certificate I got for one of the courses last week. I had to prepare to attend, in many small ways, even setting up the clothes I would wear. All the little details to simply attend, and also help Randy, and take care of our pets and home. I'm super excited to have some new knowledge and be an asset to our department. It was fun to learn about vehicles, how to look for modifications, and technical information about cars even though I'm not a car person. I can learn. Just because I wasn't good at something before, doesn't mean I can be better at it now! Sound familiar? Sound like something I've said you about planning nutrition for yourself or anything at all about fitness that you haven't been good at before? Even though it's hard, I do walk the talk.

This week is filled with more training with our team, and many other responsibilities. Our life is very full. It's filled with purpose, including my own health and fitness goals and helping Randy with his.

I know how hard it is to prepare. There is always something new getting added to our list. We all have to learn how to balance and adjust the priorities. For me, every day is different. I don't have the luxury of a set schedule. Some days I get to do my exercise first, other days not. Some days I get to fast a little the first part of the day, other times not. Some days I don't get to exercise, but I can remember that limiting my calories will help and finding a way to make that happen, even if it's so very hard and feels unfair goes a long way.

No matter what it is, the preparation is key. The doing it NOW and not putting it off is key. Also, taking action is key. Not just words. Not just saying you will do better.

ACTION.

RIGHT NOW.

The rewards come later. Do it now.

I'm extremely thankful for those of you who do it with me. I'm thankful for those who take a moment to comment, or message me, and help me know I'm not alone.

YOU help me keep going every day. You help give me a reason and a purpose to keep going.

THANK YOU!

Roberta