Mission 1, Day 68: Reflection
Today was a day of reflection and consideration for me. I spent the entire day thinking about my past and the things that happened to me and how I reacted to them.
I have gone through a couple of periods in my life where I wanted to "lose weight" and even once lost 25 pounds in a short period of time (like 4 weeks), but for whatever reason, I never seem to continue down the path. As I reflected on those things I realized that I would generally just give up. I would look at the progress, get comfortable and just give up.
Today was a day that showed me why things are going to be different. Today was an all fruit day. I spent the entire day keeping busy and doing things. Around 2 p.m. I found myself with friends at a small Italian food place to watch the Rose Bowl game (USC is my favorite college team—and after today's game, they should definitely have been playing for another National Championship). Here I've been doing low carb for a week and about to start my second week. I just came off an all protein day and I'm in the middle of an all fruit day and here is all this wonderful food on the menu. I was very tempted by the food. I even thought "Pasta with marianara isn't so bad...mostly carbs" and considered eating a small portion. That thought was extremely fleeting because I knew that today was all fruit and all fruit it was going to be. So what did I eat? I had a tangerine, two apples and a banana with 6 glasses of water!
The point is that I've been doing alot of reading and I've learned that my mind is the biggest obstacle I have to overcome. I have discovered that by controlling my thoughts and pointing my mind towards good decisions, the nutritional decisions are easier. Exercise isn't really that hard for me to focus on because I really enjoy it more than most people realize. If I was younger and had the time I'd probably be a bodybuilder...that's how much I enjoy the training. The nutrition, however, is always my downfall. I now know that I just need to win the mental battles and the nutrition will happen.
Accountability Log:
| Mission 1: Day 7 of 40 | Accountability | ||
| Meal/Training Plan: Real-time accountability | Each task completed? | ||
| Day 68: January 1, 2008 | Yes or No | ||
| 5:00 a.m. | Meal 1: 2 apples, 1 banana with 3 glasses of water | Yes | |
| 5:00 a.m. | Supplements: Animal Pak, Glucosamine Chondroiten, calcium, chromium, glutamine | Yes | |
| 5:30 a.m. | Workout: 30 minute run with 3 glasses of water | Yes | |
| 6:00 a.m. | Supplements: Glutamine and chromium and 3 glasses of water | ||
| 8:00 a.m. | Meal 2: Smoothie with strawberries | Yes | |
| 11:00 a.m. | Meal 3: Strawberries, raisins with 4 glasses of water | Yes | |
| 2:00 p.m. | Meal 4: Tangerine, 2 apples, banana and 6 glasses of water | Yes | |
| 5:00 p.m. | Meal 5: Smoothie with strawberries and 4 glasses of water | Yes | |
| 8:00 p.m. | Meal 6: 3 apples, raisins and 3 glasses of water | Yes | |
| 9:00 p.m. | Supplements: Glutamine, calcium and 4 glasses of water | Yes | |
| Accountability Areas: | Points | Possible | |
| Meal 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Meal 2 | 1 | 1 | |
| Meal 3 | 1 | 1 | |
| Meal 4 | 1 | 1 | |
| Meal 5 | 1 | 1 | |
| Training | 1 | 1 | |
| Post Workout Nutrition | 1 | 1 | |
| Water | 1 | 1 | |
| Pre-sleep nutrition | 1 | 1 | |
| Accountability | 1 | 1 | |
| Daily Totals: | 10 | 10 | |
| Mission Totals: | 58 | 60 | |
| Workout Log: | |||
| Running | 30 minutes |
So that is what I did today. As I said, it was a very reflective day. I did alot of writing in my journal and I considered each of my goals individually. This week I am creating my own personal strategic plan and it will include all my fitness goals.
Tomorrow is the second push up challenge workout. I am sure it will be harder than the first.
Until tomorrow...
Posted by Michael Mahony at 1/1/2008 9:11 PM 
Categories: Nutrition, Accountability, Fat Loss, Exercise, Old Missions
Categories: Nutrition, Accountability, Fat Loss, Exercise, Old Missions
Sounds like your getting your head in the game Michael! Thats the most important step!
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Hey! Sorry I haven't been around lately, but I just caught myself up a little on what's been going on with you and I just wanted to say congrats on all your progress, especially mindset-wise, that's the biggest hurdle (one I still stumble over, obviously!) and your new accountability methods are looking good. Something I need to plan out for myself in many areas of my life. Thanks for all the ideas and inspiration. Talk to you soon!
-Joni
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This is my absolute favorite post of yours of all time. I'm a big fan of reflection and am also a big fan of blogs that really give me a chance to see a person's thoughts and vulnerability. I loved this even more than I loved your podcast about your back (which you know I totally loved!!) Just so you know, your passion for weight training really comes through in your blog. When I set up my little survey to find out what people liked most about being a shredder, you're the only reason it even occurred to me to put up "weight training" as a category. I have a sneaking suspicion you were its sole voter, too.
Don't be so quick to write off that bodybuilding dream. You have a passion and a commitment. I know there are obstacles--like age and time and jobs and whatnot--but think how much you've accomplished. How many things you were previously unable to do, but now can do with ease? Just keep the idea in the back of your mind for later. People do amazing things all of the time. You have already proven to be that person. Why not one more thing, one more time?
BTW, Thanks for the water tips! They're my blog entry today. With the way you drink the water, I think every Wednesday will be "Michael Wednesday."
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Christy, what a sweet comment. I really appreciate it. I will admit, I did vote for weight training on your survey
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You are never too old to take up bodybuilding. At 43, it is one of my goals to compete as a novice within the next year or two. I went to see a comp last year (all natural bb) where there were 50-60 year olds and one guy in the 70 years and over category. These guys were not huge by any means, but they were lean and muscular all the same. Don't sell yourself short because you think you are too old.
I'll see if I can find a couple of photos I took and post them up on my site.
Cheers, Mike
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Mike, you're right. John Bartlett was in worse shape than I am right now and he is now doing competitions. I guess I should just push ahead and ride the passion because anything is possible with the right attitude. Adam has definitely taught me that! Thanks for the encouragement!
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