Day #56 - A Sense of Accomplishment Can Go a Long Way

I mentioned yesterday, learning that weight loss takes time, is probably one of the most important experiences I have had to date, since the start of my mission. And I will be preaching this lesson for the rest of my life. Learning this, was a great first step towards reaching my goal. But what should we do to fill in that time frame? Here is how I approach it, I know that I am going to be spending a lot of time doing what it takes to become healthier. So, why not take it one day at a time. After learning the proper rate of weight loss per week (1-2 pounds) and understanding that I have to control my food intake and workout properly, I am in no rush. I mean of course I want to be sexy by my wedding, but I also have some time until the day is here.

There are two other quotes that I like to use when it comes to taking my time and doing things properly. They are, "Take it one step at a time," and "You have to walk before you run." Now a days, when I know that I am going to be embarking on a project or a mission that will take time, I want to make sure that I am going to be doing it correctly. That is why I did my research before doing Weight Watchers and why I did my research about which exercises would be good to do in the gym that would help me lose weight and build muscle. That is also why I did my research before buying a new scale because I did not want to be stuck in the same situation I was in at the beginning of the mission, with a cheap scale that broke. Taking the time to understand what works and what doesn't is very important when you are going to be spending time doing something. The last thing I want to do, is having to start over again from scratch.

Now that I understand that losing weight will take time, I have come up with a way to make the days go by a little quicker as well as keep me focused on my main goal (losing weight).  I develop a bunch of tasks that I incorporate into my daily life that will give me the, "Sense of Accomplishment." Let me tell you, there is nothing more motivating then finishing a task that you set out to do. It gives me a sense of accomplishment, that usually leads to me wanting to get other tasks done. Before I know it, everything that I wanted to get accomplished has been completed. Let me give you an example of how I incorporate this method into my mission.

Everyday, I make myself a checklist that consists of two parts. The first part is all of the personal tasks (Blog, workout, food shopping, etc...) that I need to get done for the day and the second is everything I need to get done for work. For example: I wake up every morning at 7:30am to weigh myself and to take the scale picture that you see every night. Once I have completed that task, I check it off and move on to the next. More often then not, after the morning weigh-in , I make my way to the gym for my daily workout. After my workout, I come home to take a shower, have breakfast, and pack my meals for work. As I walk out the door to my car, I stop at the convenience store and I pick up my daily newspaper that I use in my profile picture everyday. I think you get the point, after I complete a task, I check it off. Believe it or not, every time I check off a task, I get that sense of accomplishment that makes me want to do more. It is almost like a snowball effect. I usually get the most sense of accomplishment on Sundays. For the simple fact that I am home from work, I get my workout done early, I plan my meals for the week and go food shopping accordingly, and I also plan out my workout schedule. Come Monday, I am ready to roll.

I know it may sound weird to some people but developing tasks and getting them done actually motivates me. I believe that incorporating this method into my mission has helped me cope with the fact that I will be spending a lot of time, most likely my entire life, losing weight and staying healthy.

With that being said, let's get to the details of the day:

Meals of the Day (The Heavy Man = 39 Points)
(I am currently following the Weight Watchers Points System)

Early Afternoon - 2 Boca veggie burgers with 2 slices of american cheese on 2 slices of Weight Watchers whole wheat bread and a side of baked potato chips = Points 10
Snacks During the Course of the Day - 1 Weight Watchers ice cream cone, 1 Weight Watchers brownie, 1 Weight Watchers chocolate chip cookie, and 1 large pear = Points 6
Late Afternoon - 2 slices of Weight Watchers american cheese on 2 slices of Weight Watchers whole wheat bread with a side of baked potato chips = Points 5
Dinner - Chicken BLT Salad from Wendy's = Points 15

Total Points Eaten Today = 36 Points (3 points under my daily limit)

Exercise

Today I executed my legs and shoulder workout routines: Leg Press (4 sets x 12, 10, 8, 6 reps), Leg Extensions (3 sets x 8, 10, 12 reps), Leg Curls (3 sets x 8, 10, 12 reps), Military Press (4 sets x 12, 10, 8, 6 reps), Dumbbell Lateral Raises (3 sets x 8, 10, 12 reps), Plate Front Raises (3 sets x 12 reps), Calve Raises (3 sets to failure), and Reverse Cable Flyes (3 sets x 15 reps). Tomorrow I will be doing cardio and my core body routine.

Day #56 - Weigh-In = 269.6 lbs

Day #56 Weigh-In

Day #56 Front Shot