Goals verses Process

The main thing that Triathlon has taught me is - focus on the PROCESS not on the goals/outcomes. Of course, you start with realistic goals and formulate a process that will make it achievable.

Obviously, my long term goal is to get back down to a healthy weight and be active. That's pretty vague. I have dinner reservations to a 3 star restaurant in 6 weeks. I'd like to fit in one of the dressy outfits that I already own. So, I'm going to set a mini-goal to be down by 5 pounds and to be up to 8 hours of training per week by then. Although 6 weeks is a bit long, it is also roughly the same amount of time that habits begin to happen.

Now I need to develop the process by which that will happen. What am I going to do to make this happen? This is what I see as a full process. Probably too much to bite off at the beginning.

• Write weekly menus that support my calorie and fuel goals. This means develop plans that reduce simple carbs and processed meats while increasing vegetables especially paired with healthy protein. 
• However, I will continue to include some special treats to keep life happy. I've found that I have felt deprived in the past... and that totally sucks.

• Write weekly workout plans that support my activity goals. This needs to be a balanced mix of swim, bike, run, and strength. Easy days mixed in with high intensity workouts.

• Make at least 8000 steps per day. 
• Get at least 7 1/2 hours of sleep a night.

• Use MFP, Strava, and Fitbit to motivate me on my journey.
• Find motivational quotes while eating lunch -- I have found that I struggle more in the afternoon than any other time of the day. 

Coming Back to Life - I think...

I expected to need some time to decompress once I quit the JOB. I didn't expect it to take so long. I didn't fully understand the depths of soul sucking that had occurred over the previous 24 months. Not only was I spiritually depleted, I was physically depleted. I had physical manifestations of stress! My whole body ached. I expected to be back to my old self with in a month of quitting... Nope.

Over and over, I said I wanted to lose weight and get back to training. Over and over, I binged on TV and over ate. I joined some MFP challenges only to find them lackluster, non-motivating, and just a drag. The reality is, right now, I want to eat and drink what I like (mmm.... donuts). I'm so out of shape, it's VERY uncomfortable to workout (not to mention that I'm soooo slow).  So, why do it?

Why? Because, I want to be active and healthy now and when I'm 86. I want to be able to run my dogs on an agility course without sucking major wind. I want to have a clear mind with positive thoughts. I want to be out on my bike enjoying the scenery. 

Some how, I need to find the motivation to get myself out of bed in the morning and getting going early. I need to find the strength to keep my goals in mind all through the day and not over reward for workouts. Perhaps, I listen to Yoda (the whole "There is no try..." thing). Perhaps, I commit to just one thing say, Log everything in MFP for the next 3 weeks.

I've been here before. I know getting started and staying started is like catching teeth in gears. Keep trying and eventually, a tooth grabs. So, I'm starting again today.