How Is Your Streak Going?
Big changes start with little changes performed consistently
I was at dinner with my in-laws. I thought. “It will be alright to overeat just this once. Just one more serving. Desert? Sure. Seconds. Yes, just a little.”
I told myself I was testing a hypothesis. I have read that overeating one day a week can actually be helpful in losing weight. I decided to test the hypothesis.
The next day I could not suck in my tummy like I could the day before the dinner. My weight was up a few pounds. It took a couple of days to return to my pre-dinner status.
Do you have days like that? I bet we all do. We fail to control our eating and eat too much. To make matters worse, we skip our exercise.
These errors must be quickly overcome if we are to get back on course. There is a great danger in thinking, well I have blown my streak. I might as well keep eating. Or I might as well not exercise this week. I will start again next week. The next thing we know it has been months and we are no closer to the goals we set for ourselves.
I began right away. I did exercise before I went to bed. I did exercise when I got up. I did limit my food intake the next day. It all took time to return to my previous “normal.”
I did return. I am back on track. However, as I say this, I am looking at my keyboard. I have not practiced playing the piano for a few weeks. I must get back on track.
I have been using Duolingo to learn Spanish. It helps me stay on track with a goal of practicing for at least three minutes a day. It alerts me if I have not studied yet and sometimes asks if I have a few minutes right now. It is really helpful to keep a streak going.
Alcoholic Anonymous has a similar program. Members keep track of how long it has been since they have had a drink. They celebrate their victories.
What can you learn from this post? Commit to a plan to achieve your goals and work on that plan daily. Get a streak going and celebrate your success in maintaining the streak.
Great changes can come from small changes that are performed every day. Get busy and let us know about your streak success!