Working it Out

I'm currently a member of a gym. I haven't been there in over a year. Over. A. Year. We still pay for it every month. I still don't go every month. That's how we roll.
We have an elliptical machine in the basement. Prior to moving it a few weeks ago, it hadn't been used in 2 years. 2. Freaking. Years.
I have pretty running shoes. I wear them all the time, but not for running. I hate running. My body hates running. No time complaints here, I just wanted to mention the shoes, lol.
My current program is an at home program which means the only person who knows if I didn't work out is me. Normally, I would mentally commit myself to it and feel good about that and then not work out. But there's something about posting for a group of other people online every day about how my workout went with a #sweatyselfie and what I like/dislike about it that keeps me from just sitting on the over-sized recliner down in the basement instead of working out. There's an accountability piece and a connection piece that has made all the difference. Didn't like those surrenders? Post it on Facebook! Your toddler drank all your water? Post it on Twitter (#parentproblems)! Want to feel better about yourself because you're having an off day? Post it on Instagram! Seriously, it does everything.
And just because I'm sharing the good doesn't mean I'm not struggling just as much as my friends who are also participating. Social media has made it easier than ever to connect with others and support one another. Granted, there are some trolls out there who try to tear others down to bring themselves up or some crap, but I don't hang with those types so you won't find any in my groups!
What keeps you motivated? What keeps you from giving up?

Tuesday Night Tradition

With two kids, I don't get to watch tv very often. Okay, I take that back. I do get to watch a ton of Disney Junior, but I don't get to watch what I want to watch on tv very often. One show that I have really enjoyed for the past few years (except for season 6A, but let's not open that wound) is Pretty Little Liars on Freeform, formerly ABC Family.

Pretty Little Liars is a Tuesday night show. I usually DVR it and watch it after the boys are in bed. Lately I've been watching it and using the elliptical in the basement at the same time. It's awesome! I start by getting myself some delicious, cold fridge water and putting on my running shoes. Since I'm not a runner I just leave these shoes in the basement with the elliptical, I don't miss them. I also like to make sure the remote is handy and that my phone is off. I figure the tv is enough of a distraction, I don't want my phone to be one too. I usually start with a sweatshirt on because our basement is really cold, but the workout usually warms me up. To be honest, the intensity of the show keeps me moving, and the commercial breaks are easy to fast-forward through. This usually gets me about 45 solid minutes on the elliptical as it is an hour long show. Bonus! Because I'm in the basement I can listen to it as loud as I want and talk back to the show and no one else can hear me!
This Tuesday night date that I make with myself is super important for a few reasons. One, this is sometimes the only solid chunk of time I get to myself during the week. I NEED this time. I need the space to move and be distracted by something entertaining. Two, I have started to really like Tuesdays. Most people think Tuesday is a second Monday (which I can totally see because I consider Thursdays pre-Fridays, but whatever), but I've started to really look forward to it. It helps me sort of gauge where I am in my week. I don't have many routines, but this is one that I do have. Also, this is one of those things I can chalk up to self love. Self love is something I'm not super great at but I'm getting better. No one else is going to block that time out for me and make me go down there. I have to do it for me, and I'm okay with that. It's something I actually don't feel guilty about, but I think the fact that I'm using the elliptical helps with that.
Now that I'm thinking about it, maybe I should have a date with myself every night! What do you recommend, my happy little community? What kinds of routines and dates do you have with yourself during the week?

I'm Thinking About Food! Again!

Always. Still.
I wouldn't say I have a bad relationship with food, but it is a bit unhealthy. I'm in the early phases of retraining myself to look at food a different way, which means I am constantly thinking about it. And because I'm always thinking about it my brain keeps taking that as a signal that I'm hungry. I'm not, brain. I promise. We just ate! In fact, sometimes it tells me we're hungry WHILE we're eating. Get it together. Just because I'm spending more time thinking about food doesn't mean we need to spend more time actually eating it. Although, I am a slow eater. I'm always the last one at the table or the last straggler to come to a meeting still eating my lunch or always the one with snacks...sigh...moving on.
I'm trying a few different things to help myself with the food part of this healthy habits plan. First, I'm only keeping food in the house that can be eaten. As opposed to what, Nanci, food that is just sitting on the counter that you CAN NEVER EVER EAT DON'T TOUCH IT IT'S FOR DECORATION? I know this sounds silly, bear with me. If it's in the house, I'll eat it. I can't buy a snack or a box of Nilla wafers for my son and not eat them. It's just not something I'm able to NOT do. So, if I don't bring it in the house I can't eat it. Otherwise, any food that comes in the house is fair game to be eaten.
Also, I'm trying to get better at prepping food for a few days at a time. Prepping for a week feels overwhelming, but so does trying to throw food haphazardly into a bag first thing in the morning with no plan and having a random ass lunch. I can do a few days at a time. Snacks, some lunch things, and having breakfast staples makes a world of difference.
Food is kind of my favorite thing. Good food is the best. And by good I mean extra super tasty and well-prepared. I need to find a that happy place where the food is delicious and well prepared but I'm not mentally kicking myself for what it is I'm eating, and then continuing to eat it anyway.
Tell me, community of friends, what tips do you have?