Week 1: No eating after dinner

Let me start by saying 2022 is not just about good habits. It's also about progress over perfection. You know what that means, right? I wasn't perfect. Technically, I was 100% every night by not eating after dinner...despite eating cookies at 9:30 pm last night because I had no dinner.

That' was not exactly the intention of this week's habit, but I'm not going to beat myself up over it. I'm not going to throw in the towel - or my hands up in the air - and say "I give up. I'm never going to stick to the plan so what's the point?" That's been my downfall in the past - to give up if I couldn't do it perfectly right. But I'm an eternal optimist, so I eventually try again.

I used to say "what's the point in doing something if you're not going to do it right?" Sometimes it was in frustration at others, like the way they cleaned or folded laundry. But at least they were getting something done. In the meantime, my office is has piles of...I have no idea what's in them...because I don't want to start something I can't finish perfectly in one go. I'm still waiting for that day I have nothing else to do...

For the coming week, I'll continue with Habit 1 and add...two...new ones.

(I've always been impatient for instant results and I wonder if it's a result of my ADD. I almost wish it was the hyper kind, but alas, it's not. Another post for another time.)

Habit 2: Intermittent Fasting.

I've never been a breakfast person but the recent international travel and time difference has thrown me out of whack. I've been waking up hungry and it's been difficult to get back on track with just my morning coffee (cream, no sugar). Implementing IF means no loophole to eat cookies - or dinner - just before bedtime.

Habit 3: Daily physical therapy exercises.

I've been in PT off and on for about 10 years for various ailments, but never fully gotten better because I didn't consistently do the exercises at home. I've also been making things worse for my neck and shoulders by watching TV by lying down or in a recliner. As a short person, my head is not aligned properly with the cushion, making my neck curve awkwardly.

The focus will be on doing the exercises, not a specific set or number or duration. My ADD will revolt against me if I try to pin that down and do the same routine everyday. I'll do what feels right and good in the moment. As long as I make progress towards strength and flexibility, it will be right and good.

I also don't like how much time I feel I'm wasting by watching TV, so I'll be doing the exercises while watching TV. Did you see what I did there? I snuck in another habit (multitask while watching TV) into this week.

Did I mention how impatient I am?

Doing them while watching TV will hopefully make it less tedious and soothe the ADD. But since productivity is not this week's focus, we won't count the multitasking as habit 4. Too much pressure and that's exactly what I don't want to put on myself.

Here's to successfully completing Week 1 and Habit 1 tonight, and beginning Week 2 and Habits 2 & 3 tomorrow.

Wishing you progress in your own endeavors. Until next week...