Learning about myself

Although I have been trying to become healthier by working out and eating healthy I have learned about myself simply through paying attention to how I spend my days. I hope to take what I'm learning and change to live a life I am happy with, no regrets. First, I have learned that I spend a lot of time just thinking, reading, and wasting time on the computer. Ok, this isn't something entirely new to me yet I still continue to do it. I wake up and look at the clock debating if the 8.5-9 hours I slept was enough to justify getting up and if there is anything I need to do before work that will get me going in the morning. Here's the main lesson:

1. I am more motivated when other people are around. For me, I feel guilty when others are up and about getting things done and I'm still lazing around in bed. Maybe to get motivated I need to record someone's voice on my alarm saying something like "why are you still in bed? there's so much to do! Get up!" Or, maybe I just need to stop being alone. If only my spouse were not working out of town right now...

Besides sleeping too long, when I do get up I waste time. For example, I have to head to work in less than a half an hour and what have I done this morning? Showered. Drank coffee and ate breakfast. Read a book on finances which made me think to look at my own bank account - which took about an hour of puttering around the internet - and now I'm on the net blogging about my day instead of living it!

2. I think I'm going to make a point to cut my time on the internet to 30 minutes a day MAXIMUM. Set a timer when I'm on and force myself to get off at the end of that timer. I feel like today is already wasted though so I might as well finish this post. 

As for exercise and health, I have realized that once I'm out there doing my thing (or in here watching youtube exercise videos) I can be quite motivated. When I was in university I would set my workout clothes out the night before along with a bag filled with everything I needed for that day. I would wake up, grab a granola bar and fill my water bottle and head out the door. no more than 15 minutes passed before I was on a bus and heading into the gym/pool. Sure, I was hungry when I finished but then I ate a large, hearty breakfast and was feeling great for the day. Since I moved out of home and stopped university I find it more and more difficult to do that. Why? I don't want to spend money on the gym, that's part of it. I feel there's no room in the house to workout. Plainly, I make excuses. I did go on a 10km bike ride yesterday though and ate a healthy protein shake afterward.

3. Set out workout clothes. Tell somebody I'm doing it so I feel guilty backing out. Drink plenty of water and pack all work items for the next day, the day before. These are things I will do more of. 

Now that I've laid that out. I should get ready for work so that I can be more motivated tomorrow to accomplish the things I'm setting out today. But first, to not end this on a negative note, some things about myself that I am proud of:

• I go to work thinking "how can I be better at my job today?". I do the best I can and I am happy with the effort I put in.
• I do eat healthy. In general, even though I sneak in some unhealthy sugars, I eat a well-balanced diet and I am healthier than the average Canadian. I am not obese or underweight (ok maybe my BMI says I'm underweight but I'm not purposely losing weight), I don't have any chronic diseases and I don't have any nutritional deficiencies.
• I think about others. This is still something I'm working on doing more of. Being considerate of those around me IN THE MOMENT, but I know that while I'm alone, or after I have talked with somebody I find myself thinking how I can focus more on the other person for the next conversation and things I can do for other people - such as watering my partner's plants. Sometimes I need reminders but I'm working on getting better at noticing his needs and being less critical of him while he's here. 

So the question is, are you honest with yourself about your faults AND your strengths? You should focus on both to be the person you want to be!