There has been research done on this since 1933 that shows that people who keep their goals and intentions to themselves are more likely to achieve them. Something about the way our brain processes "saying" something can misconstrue it into thinking we have already "done" it. However, if you do speak of it, it's important to be careful to phrase it in a way that doesn't give your brain the satisfaction of fooling itself into thinking it's already succeeded!
How interesting - its kind of like when you make a wish and your not supposed to not tell anyone or it won't come true!
Hello everyone,
I am Sam, 43 years old, joining in from Australia - I am a solo mum to 3 kids DS15, DS12, & DD12. I work full time. I have neglected myself for a lot of years - I have been on emotional journey and tend to comfort eat and live a pretty sedentary life. This year I have started to try and get more active - there are things I enjoy about it when I do it but it does not come automatically to me yet and it still is quite an effort to get it happening. I went to the doctors this week and they weighed me in at 90kg which is about 198.4 pounds - if I went and jumped on my own scales they are tending to show higher at a bit over 92kg which is around 202 pounds - so obviously I am going with the Doctors weight
. But seriously either way it is way too big that I should be - I don't feel good in myself (actually I don't even feel like myself!), lately I have really been noticing how big my stomach feels - it has been feeling bloated and uncomfortable lately, I hate the way clothes look on me and I hate looking (really looking) in the mirror, my blood pressure is creeping up and I am at a higher risk of type 2 diabetes as my Dad developed it later in life. As much as I say I want to change, there is something holding me back and I am not sure if I am just not expecting enough from myself or if it is more related to emotions/mental health. I have been thinking hard about my goal for this month as last month my activity goal didn't get too far (but I am letting that go lol - for those of you who joined me last month and will know what I am talking about). I would love to end the month knowing I am definitely under that 90kg number - it would be awesome to be in the 80s working my way down. I am due to re-start paddling on the river next Friday with some friends so I am hoping that kick starts my activity again.
Goal: To have a month with no take-away food - by take-away I mean McDonalds, KFC, Hungry Jacks (the Aussie version of Burger King), Dominos etc - we easily fall into eating this type of food on nights we are busy and I have either been disorganised and not had food planned/in the house or I am too tired to cook a meal.
How am I going to achieve it? As we are headed into summer sport has finished for my kids so our typical 'take away' night is gone. I am going to need to pre-cook some simple meals that can go in the freezer, have some back up noodles in the cupboard and think of toasted sandwiches as alternatives. There are no birthdays this month or any celebrations that should derail this really. I am going to say that I can eat out - at more of a sit down restaurant style place a couple of times - I know I won't overdo this as it costs extra to eat at these places compared to a drive thru! This will also make it more of a nice family outing when we do this. I am going to visit a new dietician - so hopefully that will help with ideas and motivation. I will have a check in with my Doctor just before the end of the month to weigh in and check my blood pressure. I am going to chat with all of you on here!
What might derail me? ME, the kids (they won't like the idea of a month without it
- but that might be a good thing also), getting tired, a desire for some take-out!
)
