So I’ve been thrown a bit off-kilter this last week by some crappy personal stuff I’ve got going on – I know it’ll resolve itself one way or the other but it’s brought into focus just how easy it is for the sort of stuff that comes at you from left field to knock you off the rails you know? I clung on for dear life – you guys saw my mid-week wobble – but if I’m being completely honest I didn’t help the situation by a severe case last weekend of can’t-be-arsed-itus.
Preparation and Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance. For those of you who’ve been on any kind of training course, ever, you’ll probably recognise all the P’s…grudgingly, despite the size of the cliche, the sentiment behind them is right. Last weekend, the last thing I felt like doing was schlepping around the supermarket doing the weekly shop. So I didn’t, I rebelled. With my own small gesture of anarchy, I spent all my weekend doing no chores whatsoever, and made it all about me.
I did a bit of reading. Teed some ideas up for last week’s blog posts and did a bit of writing. Watched a couple of movies…spent some time with my mum, had dinner with a friend and took my boy out for Sunday lunch. But I didn’t stock up the cupboards…a decision which by Monday, struck me as being just to the left of stupid. I work miles from where I live, therefore a full day at work sandwiched between an hour’s drive either side means that by the time I get home after putting in a twelve hour day, shopping for food isn’t really top of any list I’d pull together of appealing options.
So my meals this week have been a weird combination of stuff cobbled together from the freezer, lunches bought daily instead of being prepared at home, and takeaways. I managed to stay within points – just – Weight Watchers helpfully produce an ‘eating out’ book which you can use to inform your ‘prepared by other people’ choices although it’s only ever an estimate. As a result, the only pounds I’ve lost this week have been ones from my wallet. Dumbass.
On a positive note, the importance of preparation being the thing that gives me the best possible fighting chance of staying on track is once again front and centre of my mind. It creates the right conditions. It’s easier to eat within a food plan if you have the right kind of stuff to hand rather than looking hopefully into the back of the cupboard only to find all those things which were bought on impulse, have been ignored for months or that don’t really go with anything else you have in the house. And by the way, on the off-chance that you ever find yourself in the same situation, and a kidney bean omelette seems like a good idea, I’m here to tell you it’s not. Even liberally sprinkled with cayenne pepper…I’d rather chew my own feet.
So it’s chore city here at Skinny Towers this weekend but you know what, a sharp reminder from time to time isn’t a bad thing. The difference is these days, lack of preparation is an occasional blip…as a fully paid up resident of Mooseville, it was a way of life. Cleaning up your act is about more than what you eat, right? It’s about choosing your attitude, choosing your approach, choosing your outcome. The minute you opt out and stop making those choices, you risk the wheels coming off.
It could have been a perfect storm this week, but it passed. This week I’m all over it. It’ll be another tough week amongst the shit-storm but in terms of the food plan I’ll create perfect conditions up ahead of time, and it’ll be easier to dodge the showers 🙂
Planning may not be the easiest thing in the short run, but it certainly is in the long run.
That’s very true Mimi 🙂
Dee, I read you loud & clear! What an object lesson. This may be a potentially serious hurdle thrown up by Real Life – insidious, because masquerading as a superficial side issue. “I can’t take my own needs seriously” – it is another festive red flag. Baby, that ain’t bunting!
I’m using this clever little (free) website to log – that is, visualize & plan – my eating. Thankfully, it’s not a full-time job. & it has been propelling my train for 38 wks. How long would my latest attempt have lasted, were it not for the logging & mindfulness…?
I only struggle to keep my week looking sane & consistent, when i’m rudderless & defaulting into restaurants, convenience stores, pizzerias, okazuyā – often when we’re already getting hungry. Frankly I can count on my own meals being more satisfying, with WAY less compromise. Better leftovers, too.
Practicing the Mindfulness is practicing at Consciousness, intention, self-care…. Go go go team! Fleury
Well I planned and shopped up a storm yesterday, my cupboards are groaning this morning!
I get it! I spend most Sundays in the kitchen. I have to cook for the week or I am sunk. If I get home and it is going to take ANOTHER WHOLE HOUR to get healthy food to my mouth it will not happen. I will grab the closest junk and shove it in. God forbid you don’t shop and are resigned to 3 stale crackers and the aforementioned impulse shops like bamboo shoots…. Thankfully I have never thought creatively enough to assemble a kidney bean omelet. (with or without cayenne)
Learn from my mistake my friend…it’s not a dish that should feature on anyone’s menu. Ever! D x
I TOTALLY understand! I am hoping that your mess is resolved whichever way sooner rather than later – but you’re right – it creeps up. And while WW is great with points for eating out etc, I have realized of late it’s really hard to feel anything but deprived and stay on points for the day when doing a lot of what you did this week – impressed that you managed.
Back in the saddle again!
Thanks Cherie…and yes, chaps n spurs polished 🙂
I’m sorry you had a tough week and bravo for conquering the stress and for the three month anniversary. Planning is my secret weapon. I make my menus on Saturday, and then shop and prep afterwards so that everything is good to go when I stumble home. If there wasn’t a plan or something ready then the cat wouldn’t be safe!
Crikey, does your cat realise he’s lower down the food chain than you..? Be afraid Mog!! That made me laugh 🙂