I am sure you all know about the research that says it takes 21 days of repetition to make something a habit. I would like to read about how to continue habits. When I am in this exercise/healthy/me, me, me mode I love the way I feel. So what if I couldn't sleep last night? When the alarm went off at 4:45, I got up. So what if I am so sore I feel like I have the flu? I did a lower body workout anyway. So what if the windchill is 22 degrees? Put on gloves, ear warmer, and go outside anyway. So what if no one else in the house wants to get out of bed? Take care of yourself anyway. But I know somewhere along the way this will all change and I will run out of steam. I won't have the motivation or desire to continue. If I did, I wouldn't be starting over again. I wouldn't be 23 pounds from my lowest. But I am and I am doing something about it.

I was challenged yesterday to a 21 day no complaint challenge. I made it through the day and lost it in the evening. I have this strange photographic memory about my stuff. I can picture where I put things and know they should be there the next time I need them. I think that's why yesterday morning upset me so much. My IPOD wasn't in it's drawer. The remote to the dvd wasn't on top of the tv, etc... So anyway, see why I needed to be challenged. I was looking through the junk drawer and surprisingly, I have an inventory in my head. I was looking for a brand new phone case I had bought. That's when I lost it and complained that I wished no one would mess with my stuff. So petty. In the challenge a complaint doesn't count against you if you can offer a solution to the problem. What I should have said was, "I wish I had put my phone case in a different place if I was worried that it might be moved," or something to that effect. Part of the challenge is to wear a bracelet on your wrist and if you complain, you move the bracelet to the other wrist as a reminder to start the 21 days over. I did great the rest of the evening and through the night. But I lost it again this morning. My DH and I have a constant battle over the alarm. He sets it knowing he isn't going to hear it or get up. I hear it, get angry that he set it again, and usually say something like, "Are you kidding me? You can't hear that!" And it's never a pleasant song or a sound. It's usually something like a freight train blaring beside his head. So I moved the bracelet. We have talked about this a lot. He says that I should say, "Good morning sweetheart, your alarm is going off." I say, "Don't set your alarm ever!" Almost 18 years of this. Definitely a habit I will have to change or I will be starting over with my 21 days every morning. 21 day no complaint experiment




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad