Half-My-Size *BY* Twice-My-Productivity

I've come to some realizations. Well, one big one, anyway: I've been a professional, world-class procrastinator. I've taken procrastination to all new levels. It's incredible what I've put off over the years. In fact, it's hard to think what even remotely significant thing I haven't procrastinated. Even if it's not the entire activity, certainly portions of it were procrastinated. Take cleaning the kitchen for example... while I might unload/load the dishwasher, wash the other dishes and wipe down the counters, I would usually leave some items out of place on the counter. These are things that were set there to be dealt with or put away "later". Instead of just dealing with them, I would choose to "do it later" and just clean around them. Why? Because putting them away consisted of walking them up the stairs into the pantry, or down the stairs into the garage, or the item might even need a decision about where it needs to go because it has no "home". These would be the worst offenders around the house: those homeless objects. My procrastination would have me put off making a decision about where it belongs....indefinitely! If it weren't for the times when someone would be coming over or I just decide to finally do a thorough job of cleaning, I'd be drowning in homeless objects all around the house. The question one might ask is, "why take so long to make these decisions?" Therein lies the true question that goes deep into the procrastination root system. Why put off til later what can be done right now?? It's in my hand....it needs to be put somewhere....why not just deal with it at this time? WHY SET IT BACK DOWN FOR LATER???!!!

Well, I can't say I've got a single answer about the WHY of it all. I can say, however, that I've prayed about it, I've read a really good booklet by someone who has overcome a procrastination problem, and I'm attempting to rid my life of this invasive beast one decision at a time. With God's direction and strength I know I can do it. It's a little daunting, now that I've really looked and seen a lot of the areas this beast has infiltrated, but God is bigger than the boogie man!!

Now, for the other aspect to this whole thing: how does this tie into the Half-My-Size thing? Well, it's all a part of the lifestyle. Idleness has not only reduced my productivity, it's also tremendously increased my size. SO many things around this house do not get done (either in a timely manner or at all), and yet I seem to have hours of time to SIT and WIDEN. The two things are not mutually exclusive conditions. In fact, I believe they are one big problem that has one simple solution. The problem is a lack of productivity. The solution is "Do It Now".

Even a person with no procrastination tendencies would tell you that "everything" can't be done "now". I'm not being that literal. Instead, I intend to use it as my mantra simply to eliminate the mindset of "I'll Deal With That Later". As God helps to reveal the times I slip into the thought of "IDWTL", I will combat it with my new "DIN" action. Like I said, it seems daunting now just because the IDWTL fruit is everywhere. But I'm encouraged because I do see some DIN fruit now, too. Long-discussed projects are finally being done. Areas of clutter are staying cleared. I'm spending much less time just sitting, so I'm also getting good movement (I try not to think of things as exercise because it sounds like something I dread).

All in all, DIN productivity will replace IDWTL idleness and the corresponding movement will help to bring about my long-procrastinated weight loss. Sounds like a win-win-win!

A Plan!....kind of

So, in looking at my posts regarding motivation and self-examination, I think I've finally crossed into the place where I have a PLAN. Well...kind of. My plan is really just having a fixed set of small goals and working towards them. I'm keeping track of my progress on Sparkpeople.com and if I can keep up the 2-pounds-off-per-week pace, I'll be down to my first goal in June: 50 pounds lighter!

I've started "diet plans" so many times and never stuck with them, but I'm not letting that stop me. I want to give myself some lee-way and know I can make the changes if I just take "baby steps". I can't expect to change everything all at once, and I certainly expect to make mistakes along the way, so I'm not kicking myself for lack of perfection. (But that's easier said than done!) No matter what, I'm going to keep going forward and making some amount of changes each day. Keeping calories controlled, increasing movement and drinking more water -- these are the basics I'm working on. Helping that to happen, I'm only eating (smaller portions) when hungry, I limit how much time I sit at my desk (regularly get up and do something around the house), and I keep a glass of water going throughout the day. There's certainly more I can do in time, but for now these are the baby-step building blocks I'm starting with.

I'm also going to be checking in with some others on SparkPeople who are going through this same type of journey. I hope to be inspired, encouraged and maybe get some pointers.

My first week's weigh-in is tomorrow morning. I'll let you know how I do!