5 Ways to Set Yourself Up for Success

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for those awesome people on the 50 day challenge-congratulations on making it two full days and now we only have 48 more to go! remember that there is a discussion board to share your struggles, accomplishments and to encourage others and you can find it right HERE!

let’s talk for a minute about how to set yourself up for success, whether it’s for the 50 day challenge or in every day life.

1) get rid of the temptations

part of my challenge is to eat only what is on the p90x nutrition guide (no chocolate, no cheesy chips/crackers, no mac-n-cheese, no fudge brownies, etc). i have a very hard time resisting temptation when something is right in front of me so i went through all of our cabinets and pulled out the ‘forbidden goods.’ i then placed them all in the’ forbidden cabinet’ (see below) on the ground level, shoved them to the back and barricaded them with tupperware in front. i can thank my mother-in-law for the 2.2lbs of M&Ms!

set up for success the new wifestylenow it is out of sight and almost out of mind (if i stop looking at this picture). i also gave away all perishable goodies like cookies, open chocolate bars and peppers to friends (okay, peppers are allowed on the nutrition guide but i don’t like them and my husband didn’t eat it before he left for his trip).

i did the same thing with my refrigerator. oh, you noticed 5 tubs of hummus? well how else am i supposed to get those carrots down the hatch instead of chips!?

set up for success fridge the new wifestyle

this allows me not to feel tempted when i am in a snacking mood (which occurs 3-7 times a day) because i only see options of what the challenge allows me to consume.

2) tell your friends and family your goal

somewhat lucky for me, my husband is out of town for a few more days so i only have available what i’m allowed to eat for the challenge. since his challenge is different than mine, i am sure i will witness him bring home some chocolate cake that will taunt me but he is aware, respectful and encouraging of my restrictions.

another part of my goal is to write at least 3 sentences a day for my book. everyone in my family knows this so every time i talk with them they ask how i’m progressing and what i wrote about that day. this helps keep me accountable and on track.

3) if you need an extra push, find a way to reward yourself

for instance, if your goal is to work out 4 times a week but when you get home all you want to do is turn on the TV and veg out-then that should be your reward. use that as motivation that when your workout is finished, you can then indulge in your desired TV watching. if you are working on drinking 64oz of water, then get those ounces in your body before dinnertime and then you can have a glass of wine or something else with dinner-that’s your reward.

4) figure out what works for you

i am starting to realize that i feel my writing/creative juices flowing more freely after i exercise, which i have only just realized today.  because i consciously paid attention to when i was procrastinating writing and when it became easier for me, i could make this change. same with exercise-i have more energy in the morning rather than trying to do a workout later in the day so that’s when i do it (plus it doesn’t hang over my head all day and there’s less of a risk of me not doing it later if i do it first thing in the AM). take the time to be conscious of what works for you when reaching your goals

5) know WHY you are doing what you’re doing

you need to identify why you are choosing to partake in this challenge or other goals in your life. there will be times when you want to give up or cave or even mess up but once you’ve identified the reason you are stretching yourself to accomplish something-it will be easier to overcome your mental block. a reason could be as huge as an entire health overhaul or that you want to prove to yourself that you can do anything for 50 days-but identify YOUR reason.

my why: i am getting unhealthy foods out of my life because i want to retrain my tastebuds to appreciate natural sugars because i know i feel better when i eat less sugar (though my mind and tastebuds would fight to death on this statement). i also want to write this book for newlyweds because i believe i can help people build better relationships. an entire book sometimes seems too daunting but 3 sentences feel manageable.

here’s what i used to say to my husband when he was training for the world championship and now i  must take my own medicine:

stop looking at the excuses

the new wifestyle: you cannot change and achieve more if you are aren’t willing to do different things.

questions:
1) why are you workings towards the challenge or goal you’ve set for yourself?
2) what are some other ways you’ve found that have lead to you feeling successful?
3) tell me something interesting in your refrigerator!

6 Comments

  1. Carole Roemer

    February 26, 2014 at 12:53 pm

    Chelsea, nana is tardy, may I still enter your 50 day challenge?
    I need to continue my Vegan diet. Walk 2 or 3 miles 5 times a week.

    • chelsea

      February 26, 2014 at 1:17 pm

      yay it’s the Nana!! of course you can still join and i will add you to the list! you are amazing with changing your lifestyle to vegan and i will put you down for at least 2.5 miles 5 times a week! this is my grandma everyone…isn’t she impressive!?

  2. TK

    February 27, 2014 at 12:14 am

    1. To feel better now….AND in the future (both physically and mentally!)
    2. Various ways – including making progress on an annual strategic plan (yes, I’m a geek! My hubby and I do the planning over the Christmas break)
    3. Blueberries, rasperries, and blackberries

    • chelsea

      February 27, 2014 at 9:24 am

      love it TK! thanks for your comment! love that you and your hubs do your annual strategic plan-SO smart! we just did that too and it’s so nice to have a plan of attack and something you can both reference and move in the same direction. YUM. now i want all those berries 🙂

  3. junebugroseanne

    February 27, 2014 at 10:24 am

    I am at day 4 of my 50-day challenge, which was reading my self-study continuing legal education things. So, far, I’m doing fine. Although I love to read, I already find myself thinking of ways to cheat . . . like, “how about if I just carry the book around?,” or “what if I just upload some educational podcasts to my iPod and listen to them instead of read?” I am such a slacker.

    • chelsea

      February 27, 2014 at 10:08 pm

      ahhh but you AREN’T a slacker June because you are catching yourself finding ways to cheat (admittedly i’ve found myself thinking things about my writing those 3 sentences) but then aren’t doing them! that is so awesome. i am impressed. keep at it-a challenge is supposed to challenge you so i’m glad it’s working and you’re winning!