Good Systems + Hardworking/Motivated People = Success

Well, my new systems are working wonders. Here is what I have been using this past week.

1. I set up my gcal (google calendar) with things I want to do each day. Then I have it email me a "reminder". So 6 days a week I get an email into my gmail inbox reminding me to do Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. This is an awesome 20 minute workout that I have been doing the last 2 weeks. I like it because I can fit it in almost anywhere. Then 5 days a week I get an email reminding me to train for my triathlon (which is in 10 days AHHH!). I keep these emails sitting in my inbox unread until I complete the task and then I delete them. So since I am constantly on my computer and checking my email, it is a constant reminder to get off my rear and go workout like I should. And the OCD in me hates having those unread emails in my inbox so it is motivation to go do it so I can check it off and delete that email. If I am having a lazy day, I won't work out but will keep the email in there. That way on my what should be off day, when I wouldn't normally get an email, I still have one staring me in the face, so I make it up. It has been working great so far! And then at the end of the week, if I have tons of unread gcal reminders, I know I didn't do a good job and reach my goals. I have started using this system for other areas in my life as well, not just fitness, and it is proving quite successful.

2. This week I started another new thing. On my days off, I make myself healthy meals that I can store and eat the rest of the week. So today as I headed out the door for work, I grabbed my Glad container of my brown rice chicken breast concoction. This is great as it really helps with portion control too. Each little container is 189 calories (which was so easily calculated using my Mac app - see below). So combine that with an apple, and you have your self a less than 300 calorie lunch. While this is still in the first few days, I am liking the portion control assistance.

3. I set my cell phone calendar to give me a reminder every day at 8pm to brush and floss. While this doesn't always happen at 8pm, I am flossing, which is a step up from my previous hygiene efforts. And it has helped with the late night snacking.

4. I am tracking my calorie intake and burn with the "Perfect Diet Tracker" Mac app (also available for Windows). It is super simple and is helping me eat healthier. While I have definitely still had my M&M overload days, It is helping me keep a more accurate understanding of what I put into my body.

5. I have specifically asked a few people to help me. I have friends that I can text when I have a craving and they will help talk me out of it. They will also text me or email me occasionally asking how I have been doing. This accountability helps a lot. Thanks Matt and Jess :-D

I am realizing, with the right systems, I am a whole lot more successful. Everything else we do in life fits into a system. Just think about all the systems at your job. Good systems combined with hardworking/motivated people equals success. If you are reading this, you are motivated. So now, it is just time to put the systems in place to get you to success!

My New System

So, things have been going fairly well the last few days. I have said "no" to brownies and ice cream on two occasions, and in general have been making healthy choices. While there is still the occasional slip up, I have been doing pretty good. I have also been good about exercising this week, despite my back pain.
I find that my breakfast is good. Lunch is also good, as I usually stay at work, so as long as I pack a healthy snack, I'm good. Where I find I am weak is in the later evenings. Generally I will eat a healthy dinner, but then after that I keep snacking. And well it is just down hill from there. For example, today after 9:30pm I ate (confession of failure): a banana, a handful of MMs, and a slice of pizza. mmm EPIC FAIL. So I just added 700 calories to what would have been a successful day. Not even my evening workout could balance this out.
So, I am staring a new system. I have set my phone up to send me a reminder each day at 8pm to brush my teeth. My goal then will be, after 8pm I will not eat, because my teeth are all clean and ready to go. This will hopefully help fix my night eating habit. Sleeping earlier will also help with this.
I have also decided to start counting my calories again. I was doing this for awhile using the BodyBugg, but my subscription has since run out and I haven't renewed it. So today I got an app for Raul (my Macbook Pro) that will help me track my exercise and calorie intake. I hope this will help keep me on track, as calories can quickly add up.
How about you... do you have any helpful tips to keep you on track?

EPIC FAIL... let's try this again

OK team. So I have failed horribly in two aspects: 1. I have not been posting and 2. I have not been eating healthily. I guess that is a little of an overstatement. I have not been eating bad, but have been breaking my rules on a regular basis and the scale is my proof. On a positive note, I have built drinking lots of water into my daily routine and have been exercising regularly. I was able to go to Syracuse and do a test ride of the 18 mile bike portion of the triathlon I will be doing in 29 days. And as my ankle (which was sprained) has been healing, I have started my run training again which was desperately needed. But, I am not content to work out and eat poorly. I want to live healthily. So here I am confessing my failure and starting afresh. I can only imagine that over the holiday weekend things weren't easy for you either. So let's start fresh together. Today is a new day!