I’m feeling much better then I’ve been these last few days. I’m not sure what was up with me. Unmotivated is an understatement. I was down in the dumps. Lazy. Uninterested in everything. In a funk, as I like to say.
It was like I just wanted to check out for a few days.
So I did. I did absolutely nothing on Sunday. Nothing.
At first I felt bad about it. Then I realized we all need some check out time. It’s good for the soul. :)
This morning I still woke up a bit down in the dumps but throughout the day as I got more and more productive at work I felt better and better.
I swear I’m a productivity whore. I thrive on accomplishing things. It’s a strange personality quirk, I know.
Anyway, something popped into my head on my drive home today and I just have to share.
You know that saying, "devils in the details" as in it’s the small details of something which make it difficult or challenging. Well I was pondering life and thinking of ways to stay on plan and be productive when a new phrase came to mind. . .
Progress is in the Planning
When I get into these funks the only way I pull myself out of them is by planning. I make lunches, create menus for the week, write up shopping lists and to do’s. Anything to help me feel a bit more productive.
Without fail I start to feel better. Especially when I get to reap the benefits of that planning.
Take today for example. At work I enjoyed all the healthy snacks I packed in my lunch the night before. I made progress because I planned. Even though Sunday I totally didn’t feel like packing a lunch. I did it because I knew it would would be a small step with big a payoff the next day. If I let the funk take over and went to work unprepared I would have spent money on an overpriced over-caloried crappy lunch. Which would have made me feel worse and brought me further down my path of funk. Simply by taking 5 minutes Sunday night I laid plans to help me make progress instead.
Does that make sense?
Probably not. I’m getting anxious as I want to head to bed early tonight. I better sign off.
Before I go I’ll leave you with a link to a post I wrote at work on SpeakHealth, my new favorite soup recipe I made up this weekend and my food journal for the day.
| Food | Units |
|---|---|
| ~*~*~*~monday journal~*~*~*~ | |
| granola bar on my way to work. | |
| a pear and a cup of green tea for my mid morning snack! :) | |
| lunch was this homemade soup I made over the weekend w/ some crackers. I can’t wait 2 post this recipe.. it’s so good! | |
| pudding cup…. wanted something sweet. :) | |
| banana | |
| went out for some sushi and chinese. the husbands idea but I welcomed the break from cooking. :) | |
| 1 too many graham crackers. damn they are addictive! | |
| Total: | N/A |
Table provided by Roni’s Food Tweet, Eat, Post Generator.
I’m off to pull out my running clothes. I’m PLANNING a morning run before work. :)
10 Responses to Progress is in the Planning
Leave a Reply
I Published a Cook Book!
BlogToLose
What's Cooking in my kitchen?
-
If I was a good blogger this idea would have been published BEFORE the Super Bowl not during it. I made these today to have a little fun. Surprisingly, The Husband liked them even though he didn't eat more than one. Why? Because he's strange like [...] -
If you read my weight loss blog you know I'm battling a bit of back and neck pain right now. I'm starting to feel a little better but those first few days where rough. Being the head chef of the household, this meant we ordered in a couple of times. I'm [...] -
I'm LOVING Pinterest! I can just scroll all day long looking at food photo after food photo. I wish I had more time to peruse! (I'm RoniNoone there by the way?) The other day I pinned a Portabello Mushroom pizza and was immediately inspired. It's such a simple idea and so light. [...] -
The other day I found myself craving an Orange Julius. Are they as popular as I think they are? Growing up we had an Orange Julius at our local mall. It was always a treat for us at the end of a family shopping trip. Once I was old enough to be [...] -
So I'm a little breakfast nutty at the moment. Little Bean LOVES eggs and I find myself cooking them more and more. This morning I decided to go super light (after last nights chocolate overload) and it was totally satisfying for just over 100 calories! The trick to making [...] -
A few weeks ago I saw Chef Michael Simon make a raw kale salad on The Chew. He sliced beets up real thin and cut the kale into ribbons. Then made a vinaigrette out of red wine vinegar and olive oil. I was immediately intrigued. So far I've only [...] -
I've had this idea for a quick creamy chicken dish for a few days now. It was time to give it a shot. The whole family LOVED it. I'm not joking. The only complaint came from Little Guy who declared his hate of mushrooms yet again BUT he ate everything around them. Fine [...] -
I made this on a total whim yesterday as I had leftover avocado after feeding the baby and leftover Spaghetti squash cooked from the weekend. I roasted the squash to serve with my Chicken tips instead of potatoes and it was AMAZING! Anyway, I'm getting sidetracked. So I'm sitting there staring [...] -
It's post holiday season. You know what that means? Leftover Crescent rolls to experiment with! Every year for Thanksgiving I buy a few canisters. It's the only time I do as I can't be trusted around them. Let's just say I'd beat you in the How-Many-Crescent-Rolls-Can-You-Eat-In-One-Sitting game and leave [...] -
Last week the kids and I tried parsnips for the first time and I've made them 3 times since. I wanted to figure out the best way to roast them. Yeah, that's it, the best way to roast them. You'll buy that right? Right? The truth is, I'm obsessed. I found myself [...] -
Yesterday just felt like a good day to stuff an acorn squash. I had one sitting on my counter for quite some time and it was just begging to be cooked. Since both husband and child don't like it I made a solo meal just for me and, well, it was DELICIOUS! [...] -
I bought a fennel bulb on a whim for the holidays not knowing quite what I would do with it. Of course I forgot about until yesterday when I was rummaging through the fridge trying to figure out what I wanted to make for breakfast. I pulled it out and stared [...] -
I probably should have warned you I was taking a holiday hiatus. I've been soaking up every moment of family time imaginable these last few days, leaving no time for anything else. Not even blogging! Shocking I know. ;) So I return not with a new recipe, per se, but to [...] -
Here's a quick idea for when you find yourself with a spaghetti squash but don't quite know what to do with it. Come on. Admit it. That's happened to you too. It's sure happened to me! I roasted this squash on Sunday... [...] -
I'm not sure if this will be a crowd pleaser, but I liked it and thought I'd share in hopes it inspires you to have some fun with kale. I loved the combination of sweet pear, earthy kale, salty bacon bits and creamy hummus. The only issue with the wrap was [...] -
I'm going on day 2 of counting Weight Watcher Points and I'm already inspired to come up with light, healthy meals for myself. It's like I needed the constraint of points to motivate me. Isn't that weird? Anyway, all morning I was brainstorming what to make for lunch. I wanted something flavorful [...] -
I have a friend who patiently cleaned, peeled and cubed a fresh pumpkin and then selflessly gave me some. Scratch that, a TON! I would have never even thought of doing something like that! But now that I have it in my fridge the ideas are flowing. First, I roasted some [...] -
CHRISTMAS COOKIES! YAY! Sorry. I'm so excited! Little Guy and I had tons of fun making and decorating cookies today. It may just be my favorite part of the holiday season. I loved it when I was a kid and now I get to do it with my own kids. [...] -
This may be my simplest idea yet, but it was so tasty and satisfying I had to share. Plus you guys know I'm a Laughing Cow Community Leader so I'm all about sharing fun ways to use their products. You guys may also know how I feel about pausing and making [...] -
I made this on Thursday. THURSDAY! I hate when I can't post something I've eaten within 24 hours. It just bugs me. Not sure why, it really doesn't matter when I post it, does it? Anyway, I did whip this up to cure a pizza craving and I couldn't be happier. [...] -
It's been awhile since I jazzed up a tilapia fillet. I've breaded them before, coated them in oats, flavored them like one of my favorite drinks and topped them with a fun salsa. It was time to bring nuts into the party. You are going to think I'm crazy but I've [...] -
Fun leftover turkey idea #2! Click here for leftover turkey idea #1. I had a little Gouda leftover from this years Harvest Salad and decided to put all the same flavors from the salad into a quesadilla. I just can't get enough of the smokey gouda/sweet craisin combo. It goes [...] -
It's the day after Thanksgiving and my refrigerator ROCKS! I have leftover turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, roasted Brussels Sprouts, a bunch of veggies and tons of miscellaneous fun stuff. I've already made stock from the bones (like this) and my first batch of soup, Classic Turkey Noodle. I hope to share [...] -
I'm so sorry I've been slacking in the Thanksgiving recipe department. I feel like a bad food blogger. Everyone else is posting festive ideas and here I've gone missing for a few days. Maybe it's because I'm not doing anything special for Turkey day. I finally got my holiday cooking [...] -
I just made a quick, tasty one pot meal the whole family ate without complaint! And when I say "whole" I mean WHOLE! The Baby, The Little Guy, AND The Picky Eater Husband! Here's the story…I was in NO mood to spend a lot of time on dinner. The thought [...]
About Roni
Roni started this blog in '05 to journal her weight loss. 70lbs later, she's committed to living a conscious, healthy life and hopes to inspire others along the way. Read more on the about page.
I hear I premade my overnight oats since I’ve been slacking in the breakfast department and just eating bars. So now at least my day will be off to a good start tomorrow. Kind of a fake it til you make it philosophy.
So true! Whether planning by prepping and/or writing down a schedule, it all helps me progress towards my goals. I also find satisfaction when I can check something off my list or be proud of what I was able to accomplish that day, especially if there were set backs that could have stopped me (or I could have LET stop me).
You know what? I want to thank you for sharing this with me. I’ve been in a “funk” (as you like to call it) for the past 2 weeks. Now I believe I can get through it. Thanks so much!
-Denise
i am a fellow productivity whore! i totally hear you. lord forbid if i’m not doing 87 things at one time and getting everything on my things-to-do list done. the planning really does help a lot. i am the queen of list making. it’s not written down, it doesn’t get done, bought or called. thanks for the great post!
I am the exact same way when it comes to productivity. My husband, Al is the same way as well. Oftentimes we lie in bed at night listing the things that we feel good about accomplishing that day. Some of them are so uninteresting and mundane but what feels great is knowing that you are alive and accomplishing.
When I start to feel down or discouraged I give myself new goals. Having something to work towards, and then accomplishing it always lifts me up!
It makes TOTAL sense to me! I am very bad at planning myself – it does NOT come naturally to me at all… I am a very absent minded person. I realized recently that if I am not prepared in advance to face some challenges, I do not have the tools I need when I have to overcome them… It sounds simple, but it’s really not easy for me. But it is when I made the effort to plan things that I make the most progress, indeed, so it’s definitely worth it!
I heard something years ago about getting out of a “funk” at home or work: Clear your surfaces. That works for me, getting through the clutter at home or even in the car, it makes me feel better that I got something done and you don’t have that stuff around you any more. I have resorted to list making during this holiday season too ;).
Great idea as I sit here in pile of paperwork at my desk. ;~)
I have been LOOKING for this blog… I have to lose weight… and have had a hard time finding inspiration or motivation. Reading your menu plan and candid words, I see myself being successful. Thank you.