The long and winding road to fitness, day 73

I’m feeling pretty good tonight considering I worked all day, couldn’t seem to get anything done, went to bed way too late last night (those crazy housewives of New Jersey…why do I watch them?), and ripped my pants this morning at work.  Go ahead, laugh.  I can take it.  I know everyone needs a good chuckle on  a Monday.  I went shopping at lunch…found a couple of pairs of khakis for work, then walked past a clearance rack and saw a black shirt (we have to wear black shirts at work…so attractive).  Upon closer examination, I didn’t notice anything wrong with it, then I looked at the price tag and was thrilled to see it marked down to $7.99!  I snatched that baby right up.  I looked for other shirts appropriate for work, but that was the only one I saw.  Still…$7.99.   I also bought the softest pair of navy blue sweats…you know the temps are going to start dropping soon (not this week though, we’re expecting 90 degree temps for the latter part of the week) and those things are so comfy.  So anyhow, my mood improved with a little retail therapy.  Now if I could just find a truly comfortable pair of work shoes…

I walked for thirty minutes today and that’s it on the exercise front for me.  My eating was decent…ended the day with 1635 calories so right in the range I’m aiming for.  Now if only I can get just a little more sleep tonight, all will be right with my world…for tomorrow anyhow.

My boss is in Dallas for the next few days.  I pondered how to motivate the people to work quickly and efficiently…decided intimidation was out (sorry, Simone), am still considering bribery for truck day, but went with “Let’s make Chris proud of us.  Let’s get all of this work done while he’s in Dallas.  He’ll come back and be so happy and relieved and proud of how hard we worked while he was away.” Believe it or not, it actually worked today.  One of the guys was really gung-ho about completing his tasks…now for tomorrow…

We’ve already discussed the most effective way your boss can motivate you, but how do you motivate yourself?  That’s really where it’s at…if we can motivate ourselves to eat right, exercise, keep the house clean, do our chores, or whatever is important to us, then we’ve already won the battle.

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Men are better planners and organizers

Image via Wikipedia

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read this post by one of my friends (guy) on Facebook the other day.  Of course, he said he wasn’t trying to offend anyone…why is it, when someone says that, you know you’re about to be offended?  I didn’t respond.  Really, what’s the point?  Nothing I say is going to change his mind.   People believe what they want to believe and there’s not a lot you can do to change their beliefs.  All you end up doing, when you argue about something like that, is end up getting angry, saying some things that you can’t take back, and raising your blood pressure.  Just let it go.

I try not to make sweeping statements about any group of people.  There is no “all _____ are…”  or “no ___can ever…” or “never…” or “always…”  People are  different, with different abilities and talents, different dreams and desires, different interests, and different life situations.  That doesn’t mean that the Wall Street big wig is better than the guy flipping burgers at McDonald’s.  It simply means they are in different places in life.

I’m finally in a place in my life where I no longer compare myself to others.  I’m where I am because of choices I made, some good and some bad, but all mine.  That doesn’t make my life less (or more) important than the CEO of the company where I work. 

 How did we ever get to a place where we allow our work to define us as human beings?  What happened to being a good person?  What happened to developing good character?  What happened to making the world a better place for ourselves and our children?

I’m not particularly concerned with how most people see me, with whether or not they think I’m a success.  There are a few people in my life that I love with all my heart.  How I treat those people is my measure of success. 

Men are better planners and organizers?  My response to that… is that why the world is in such great shape now?  You have to wonder…

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