Last night I mentioned to Jake that I was feeling a bit down. I wasn’t heading to the gym when my alarm went off in the morning, I wasn’t writing blog posts like I had wanted, I had abandoned a few organization projects in the apartment that I had started and even though I had finished my Whole30, I was still upset that I just can’t seem to lose those stupid last 5 lbs.
A few minutes later as we were getting ready for bed, Jake turns to me and says “it doesn’t have to be perfect. Just do it.” Just because I didn’t have a great exercise plan doesn’t mean I can’t go to the gym and just lift a few weights for 20 minutes. Just because I don’t have awesome blog post ideas doesn’t prevent me from just writing a few thoughts down every day.
And I realized, he’s right. (Typical). I was doing it again. I was so fixated on everything being exactly how I wanted that I was avoiding it all together. I’ve done it in the past and every so often Jake has to snap me out of it.
If you’re a type A person like me, you might know exactly what I’m talking about. You spend hours online comparing different exercise programs but have stayed out of the gym until you find one you like. You research different meal plans or different challenges (Whole30, 21DSD etc) but continuing to eat unhealthy in the meantime.
This morning as I was getting dressed I noticed that my size 4 jeans are finally ready to be thrown out. And it’s probably about time, since I’ve worn them almost every day for the last year. I actually knew they needed to be thrown out months ago but kept holding out on buying new. Why? Because in my closet I have 3 pairs of practically brand new size 0 jeans. I wore them for about 6 months before they were too small and I had to go back to my size 4. And I kept telling myself, don’t worry, you don’t need new jeans, just wear the one pair you have and pretty soon those size 0 will fit again….that was over a year ago and my size 0 jeans are still in a box.
So even though it’s a bit late, today’s Motivational…err Wednesday, is Stop Waiting To Be Perfect. Thinking about starting the Whole30 in March? Don’t stuff your face with chips or cookies while you wait. Trying to put together the perfect workout calendar of cardio, weights, yoga, crossfit etc? Go to the gym and knock out 20 minutes on the treadmill rather than sleep in. Want to meal plan for your family? Plan one or two days in advance and slowly work up to all seven days. Still waiting to drop those last 5, 10 or 40lbs before you feel comfortable in your skin? Go buy something that will make you look great at the size you are right now. Because remember, you can always get it taken in.
painfreekitchen
painfreekitchen
painfreekitchen
painfreekitchen
painfreekitchen
painfreekitchen
My family jokes that I’m type A+ personality and perfection is always my goal no matter how impossible it might seem. I spend a lot of time reminding myself that even imperfect progress is still progress, and it seems like it might be starting to seep in.
Just came across your blog from a mention on http://musingsofahousewife.com. I really enjoyed this post (and your recent one on meal planning) and am looking forward to reading more! I’ve done the exact same thing, agonize for days over the best way to fit in 45 minutes a day at the gym, all while doing 0 minutes a day. (I do the same thing with online shopping, too: fill my cart but then second-guess every item, wondering if there’s a more cost-effective option, if the customer rating is high enough, if I am being a terrible consumer by shopping online instead of supporting the neighborhood mom & pops…)
Ha I do the exact same thing with online shopping! I guess I never realized that it’s all the same problem since not spending money is sometimes more of a positive thing
I’m trying to remind myself that I can always return it if I change my mind.