Keeping my eye on the prize

Stare at the prize!
@bounce58 (17387)
Canada
March 30, 2016 6:55pm CST
I recently posted a discussion about being in some trouble, and waiting to exhale... At the same time, I am keeping my hopes up and willing myself to go to a better place. I know that I am currently struggling, but I have to believe that I will be in a better place soon. In the meantime, I have to put myself in a frame of mind of "being prepared". Of getting ready so I will be in that place soon. My health is an example. I've been trying to take walks/jogs everyday (although it's only been a few days). I've also been trying to eat healthy. But it is so difficult! Today I missed lunch, and it was already about 4pm when I felt I had to eat something. I was at a Wal-Mart, and there was a McDonalds by the entrance. I think I blinked! How disciplined are you? Do you keep your eyes on the prize at all times?
8 people like this
12 responses
@paigea (36318)
• Canada
3 Apr 16
I do try to keep my eye on the prize, but I have many blinks. Mine are mainly about procrastinating. Good luck!
1 person likes this
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
3 Apr 16
I too have a serious case of procrastinating that I'm going through! Not only health-wise. I keep imagining myself in a better place (right after I've done the stuff that I'm already supposed to be doing right now).
1 person likes this
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
3 Apr 16
@paigea I should! But maybe later!
@paigea (36318)
• Canada
3 Apr 16
@bounce58 Do one baby step or small task right now!
1 person likes this
@CRK109 (14556)
• United States
1 Apr 16
I'm only human. I fail a lot. But I have to say that you can't short change yourself. Even if you've only been walking a few days, you started! Give yourself a lot of credit for that! Now that I'm moving and life will be calm(er) again, I plan to begin taking some kind of walk after dinner as long as the weather is good. I need the fresh air and exercise and it should become a nice routine. We'll have to keep one another motivated. :)
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@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
2 Apr 16
Thanks for the reminder @CRK109 -- that we are only human. Sometimes we could be so tough on ourselves, specially me! I have, and I did start on this health-journey, sonI should give myself a little bit of credit.
1 person likes this
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
3 Apr 16
@CRK109 We do tend to find something that we like and do them over and over again. In my case it is running. I used to run when I was in high school, so I'm trying to pick it up again. Although I've read (or seen) somewhere where experts say that we have to change up our exercises all the time so as to "shock" our body and get the maximum effect of the exercises. Just curious, what are those 4 exercises that you do? Maybe I could do it too, and have fun with it.
1 person likes this
@CRK109 (14556)
• United States
3 Apr 16
@bounce58 Yep, a little credit goes a long way. Sometimes we bite off more than we can chew and we don't even realize it. When you find a way of exercising that you love, you will keep doing it. But start off small. I remember once I found 4 exercises in a magazine. I began doing them. Took me about 10 minutes. They were pretty fun so I kept doing them. And over time it's amazing the changes I began to see in my body just from those little exercises! You can do it. Just don't burn yourself out and please don't be too hard on yourself. Allow yourself treats, too. They really help along the journey. :)
1 person likes this
@maezee (41988)
• United States
1 Apr 16
I cant remember if I responded to this yet or not. Oh well. I think everyone falls off the track at some point or another. Its so hard to eat healthy when you are busy and on the go! I force myself to eat side salads whenever I go to McDonalds but have you seen the size of those? Its like 3 pieces of lettuce and a tomato. Talk about disturbing. Good on you for taking walks and jogs. I am sure that is making a huge difference. I bet once you see yourself succeeding at whatever your goal is (lower cholestrol, more endurance running, weight loss, etc) you will be more motivated to continue. Best of luck to you and keep us posted! We can be your cheerleaders if you need them. Lol.
1 person likes this
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
1 Apr 16
Haha! Yes! I also try to get the side salads if I can too (one of the few things I've had to learn, eating fast food vegies). I also had to learn to look at calorie counts. The funny thing is that some salads of these fast food chains have more calories than their regular burgers.
• United States
31 Mar 16
I am currently trying to reduce my stress level, because stress is having a very negative affect not only on my mental health and attitude but also on my physical health. It is not as easy as it sounds, though. When trying to correct a negative situation and make positive progress, we just need to stay motivated and realize that we will make mistakes or missteps or "blinks", and that is alright.
1 person likes this
• United States
31 Mar 16
@bounce58 Oh yes, stress can weigh on us and keep us from wanting to complete even the simplest of tasks. I am trying to reduce my stress through exercise, laughter and keeping a positive attitude rather than letting the negative people bring me down to their level. It is working with limited success, even though I normally consider myself a rather positive person.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
31 Mar 16
That's the one thing that's also bringing me down. The stress level I am currently in, is so depressing. So I try and distract myself, and sometime procrastinate -- which sometimes become a full-on "blink". Just need to get back it and to remind myself that there is a prize at hand, a pot at the end of the rainbow, a light at the end of the tunnel, and etc. and etc.
1 person likes this
@much2say (55318)
• Los Angeles, California
1 Apr 16
How disciplined I am depends on what the situation is - and what the prize is . But when the prize is so far away, I do tend to get distracted - and blink - a lot! As far as health goes, I've been BAD about gobbling up all the Easter chocolates around here. No will power I tell you. But then we will go on a hike during the weekend and my wishful thinking will say that the exercise cancels out all the Easter chocolates I popped into my mouth . I know I should be more health conscious, but oh something gets in my eye and I blink, blink, blink! P.S. "eye on the prize" got me some search points on another site !
1 person likes this
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
2 Apr 16
I know what you mean about wishful thinking. Everytime I get to to jog or even just take a bit of a walk, I immediately think about the most recent "blink" that I had, and think that this 'cancels' it out.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
1 Apr 16
I think we all fall at some time in our strength... I know how bad McDonalds is on your health and weight. There is no way I will eat there. I'd rather starve. . Whatever is going on in your life I hope you are keeping a positive attitude. That makes a big difference on how you feel and handle things. I see you are working on it so I wish you the best.
1 person likes this
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
1 Apr 16
Yesterday, I found myself standing again in the line up at McDonalds inside Wal-Mart. Inside my head I was debating if I should be there or not. Discipline won, and I walked away after a few minutes. Eye on the prize, I told myself.
1 person likes this
• Canada
1 Apr 16
@bounce58 Looks good on you!!!
@MGjhaud (23240)
• Philippines
31 Mar 16
i try not to sway from my goals. i dont have much but its hard, i know. in a day, i only need to do 3-4 sessions of leg therapy. and hoping it'll increase the next few months. if i miss one session, i make it up the next day.
@MGjhaud (23240)
• Philippines
31 Mar 16
@bounce58 twas broken due to an accident but is now healing.. thanks, thats the prize im aiming really -- to not need it anymore.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
31 Mar 16
If you don't mind me asking, why do you need the leg therapy? I hope you keep at it though. If it will make you better, then just keep at it. Maybe soon you wouldn't need it anymore. Just keep your eye on the prize.
@shaggin (72021)
• United States
1 Apr 16
I am not disciplined at all. Everyday I plan to eat healthy and stay away from any junk food but then at some point in the day I give up and eat it. It really effects my skin so I need to stop eating it. I am eating more fruits though so that is a plus. I am sorry to hear you are struggling with some trouble right now. I have a lot going on in my life to and my nerves are really worked up over it all but most of it I can't post about.
@shaggin (72021)
• United States
1 Apr 16
@bounce58 aww that is really sweet. If I get real bad I can write in a diary. I don't like burdening others.
1 person likes this
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
1 Apr 16
I am also sorry to hear that you have a few things going on that's getting you worked up. Hey @shaggin if you need to just vent, or let it out to a complete stranger (me), then put it in writing and maybe send it to me. I may not have a good advice to share, but maybe just letting it out might do you good. Instead of keeping it all inside.
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
31 Mar 16
can you walk to work? can you cut down on soda? i lost weight when i got sick and been trying to maintain it. i know exercise is my missing link.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
31 Mar 16
I actually just work from home, most days. And although soda is something I could never really cut out of my system, I've been trying to cut it down. My goal is just be down to just sips -- that way I could still have the taste (and carbonation), but not the volume. Yeah, exercise also used to be a missing link for me too. Now I know it's there, I just can't see it all the time.
• United States
31 Mar 16
Sorry to hear of your struggles, hopefully you'll find that light at the end of the tunnel. Having experienced adversity since birth, I learned from my dad to remain persistent, ever focused on the prize regardless of obstacles. He reminded me often, I'm the one with the brains, not the probelm, so find a solution because one exists. Today, I take what he taught me and build on it. I create motivational pictures quotes and poetry talking about life, dreams, hope, success and triumph. Writing is a constant reminder to myself that what is inside me is for a reason and I must continue fighting for that reason.
1 person likes this
@PapaBits (622)
• Philippines
1 Apr 16
Be persistent and focused. Thats my secret. But i still sway away from my goals. haha i suck. Maybe i need a motivation.
@josie_ (10034)
• Philippines
31 Mar 16
There are a lot of motivational videos. I especially enjoy those on TED talks. Another good one are those of Tim Ferriss, author of the 4 hour workweek. He believes that it is not because we lack motivation but simply don't know how to structure our goals to achieve the greatest results with just the right amount of effort.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
31 Mar 16
There's a lot of TED talks' videos that are currently being shoved our throat at work. I fortunately am employed by a company that puts big emphasis on culture changes, and we are undergoing one right now. I think in moderation they are good. It gets tiring sometimes though -- to be positive all the time (specially when you know that everything around you is falling apart. Thanks for the response!
1 person likes this