You may recall that I was trying to get rid of chocolate and caffeine from my diet in April. Well, the plan almost worked perfectly. Caffeine is virtually gone and chocolate is greatly reduced. I wasn’t 100% on target but I made enough progress that I feel really good about things. Now I’ve had a week off from working out and I’m feeling great.
So for the month of May, my plan is as follows:
ZERO Chocolate and Caffeine
I want to see if I can cut these things out completely, just for a month, to see if I really need them in my life. I’m guessing that I’ll find caffeine to be unnecessary but I’ll probably never get rid of chocolate completely. Still, it’s worth a 30 day trial to see if this is truly an indulgence worth having. Actually, when it comes to the chocolate bit, I’m going to remove all processed sugar from my diet this month. We’ll see how that goes.
Better Sleep
I’m going to focus this month on improving my sleep. That means going to be on time, buying a new bed and trying out a few new sleeping positions. I’ve been reading up on sleep apnea a bit more and I’m going try sleeping on my back but with my head raised. I’ll see if that improves the quality of my sleep. I’m also going to invest a bit more time in shopping for a comfortable bed as opposed to my last few bed purchase decisions which consisted primarily of “hey, this feels bouncy!” in the store.
Less Binge Eating
My one remaining eating problem is binge eating. I sometimes get in this mood where I crave food. Even worse, if I get into this mood when there’s a lot of food around me, I tend to overeat way too much. Even though I’m aware of this, I will occasionally put myself into situations which make the problem worse, such as when I suggest going to a buffet. So for the month of May, no buffets at all!
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Next month I’m planning to make some changes to my exercise routine but I’d like to think them through this month.
That’s it, those are my goals for this month. What about you? Anything special planned? Working on any 30 day trials?
When you do shop for a mattress, even though it may feel a bit weird, give yourself at least 10 minutes lying on one. Take off your shoes, even bring your favorite pillow. Spend some time in the position you GO to sleep in, and additional time in the position you tend to wake up in. You’ll have a much better mattress that way.
Last time I bought one, I did that and have been much happier than with previous purchases.
Sorry Gal, this is a long one
This is one evokes many thoughts from me. On a micro level, I feel I need to change everything in my life. That all my habits are attachments, and that I should be freed of them. Do I really need shampoo — or that much of it? Do I really need sweet coffee, or coffee at all? Do I really need that Hershey’s Kiss each morning? Do I really need my 3 mile run each afternoon?
Blogging teaches me I am a horrible person for these “vices”. Where does it end? Am I wrong to eat an apple that’s not organic? Am I wrong to eat beef that’s not grass-fed? This blogging experience (reading, not writing) has disclosed how weak I am as a human being, and how faulted I am, much more than any scripture or religious institution has made me feel. The real inquisition is the on-line court of opinion.
Uhhmmmm, on a macro level. I’m 48 and I can see me abs, I can bench press my weight 15 times, and I still fit into the same jeans I wore in high school. I can stop at 1 Hershey’s Kiss, and if I choose to live one day without tequila I can — but why would I?
Sorry for the rant gal, but you offered it up in the form of a question.
Regarding mattress: I slept on my floor for nearly 10 years, and have only been bed sleeping for these past two. This inspires me to be a floor sleeper again — or at least I will try it out tonight. I wish you luck with your mattress decision.
Regarding binge eating: Brave of you to offer this one up. Most binge eaters are never willing to discuss it. It’s almost like confessing to being a pedophile. I am a binge eater. Ultimately there must be a psychological/physiological reason why I am. I’m sure everyone reading this will have their opinions. I could care less. How I approach NOT binge eating is simple: I embrace it like I embrace a long run, or a hard workout — that is, to know the success is in rising to the challenge. When I feel a binge coming on, I try to thwart it by trying to be stronger than the urge. Mostly I win, sometimes I lose. Sun Tsu teaches me that if I win, more than I lose — I win.
Catharsis over. thank you.
@Emergefit
I don’t feel like I’m a horrible person, quite the opposite in fact. I feel great. I’ve made amazing progress and I’m really proud of everything I’ve accomplished. I’m doing this to “punish” myself or to “deprive” myself, I’m doing this because I’m curious as to the effect. I want to see what this does to my body and to my life. If l like it, I’ll keep it. If I don’t, I won’t.
As for binge eating, there are people out there who have admitted far worse problems. They are an inspiration to me. Yes, I have a bad habit of binge eating on occasion, but hey, on the grand scheme of things, I’m still doing great. I’m healthy, I feel good and I’m happy. I accept myself as I am, flaws and all. However, that doesn’t mean I can’t work on fixing some of those flaws.
Gal
I spoke glibly Gal and meant no disrespect if anything I said was taken that way. I too, try and fix myslef daily. I admire all you have done, and that you still try to do more. You are an inspiration.
I guess I was speaking more from the point that in the internet age – and modernity in general, we try harder and harder, and seemingly know less and less. In my case, the less I know, the harder I try, and I know a little less each day. I make my living in exercise. I possess a degree in exercise science. I have been at this a long time. My values change and my protocol changes and I’m okay with that. The values of those around me change and I get confused.
Really it been good, previous plan worked for yours, sure as you decided planning following regular than Plan of May also Worked.