Monday, August 29, 2011

Defining Character: Self Control

I have a problem when it comes to self-control. I suck at it.

I was doing pretty well with keeping my shopping under control when I was doing my envelope budgeting.  But I took the month of August off because I got a bonus and was doing a lot of upgrades to my house, and well now I need to stop the bleeding.  I have shopped more in the last month than I had in the previous 6 months!  I am going back to envelope budgeting this month and sticking to it!

When it comes to shopping I am also a sucker for sales.  Just look what I bought at the Borders going out of business sale yesterday!

Granted I got 8 books and 2 audio books for about $40 which is really good!  But do I really need all those books?  And I am contemplating going back today to buy the Twilight box set because it is half price!  Someone please take my wallet away!

Another area I need to get under control is my diet.  I think I might have an addiction to sugar.  Or maybe just all food in general.  I try.  I try to track my calories and I will do good for a few weeks and then it all goes to crap.  Usually when I am traveling I have a hard time sticking to a good eating plan and since there was a lot of traveling this month, the diet AND exercise plans have been pretty much non-existent.  I still go to the gym here and there (I even went on Saturday in the middle of the hurricane!), but it is not consistent. 

So for the month of September I am going to give up DIET SODAS.  I usually drink at least one Diet Mountain Dew or Diet Dr. Pepper per day.  But no more.  I am going to give them up.  All those chemicals can't be good for you even if there are no calories.  Hopefully this will help me get my cravings a little more under control.  And I find when I can show complete control in one area it often spills over into other areas.

I'm also going to start the "Ease into 10K" training plan on my iphone this week.  I loved the Couch 2 5K app and this is similar but for 10k distance.  I'm going to do an 8k in November, so I figured this would be a good program to start to prepare for that.  And I think I'm going to give the Jillian Michael's Ripped in 30 DVD a go again.  Hopefully this time I will make it past week 2!

One thing I have been able to give up for good is smoking.  Since I quit back on March 9, I have had only one full cigarette and one puff.  The full cigarette was back in July at a party and it wasn't even that good.  I couldn't even smoke the whole thing.  I had a puff from one earlier this month and it was nice, but I am not even going to think about starting that nasty habit again.  I still get a craving for one sometimes, but I never ever want to be a smoker again, so I just push the craving away and move on.  I feel so much more free since giving up cigarettes! 

Now I just need to apply that self-control to other areas of my life!

I am officially declaring the month of September- Self-Controlled September.  I am going to focus this month on my self-discipline.  I am going to start healthy habits and stop unhealthy ones.  I WILL DO THIS!  and you guys better hold me to it!

What do you have a hard time showing self-control with?  Any tips for improving my self-control?  Any other suggestions for Self-Control September?  I'll keep you updated on my progress.

4 comments:

Ally said...

Good job for quitting smoking. I been trying so hard but I am so afraid I am going to gain even more weight. Stupid I know but be proud of that. Its a hard habit to kick and you did it :)

I have spurs of self control too. Sometimes I do so good and then when I get off the rail, I go crazy its my subconscious making up for the time I did so good ;)

and invest in a kindle. It's awesome and with so many free or 99 cents books, you will actually be saving money...

Amanda said...

I have the same issues! I went to the gym, had a great workout tonight...then came home and snacked on teddy grahams. Oops! I like your idea for a self-control september! good luck :)

alisonds said...

Well done on giving up smoking. That's a fantastic achievement.

I am also a sale-sucker. How long will it take to read all those books... if you think those will take a while I have a crate in my cupboard full of books that I have been given, bought for 50p in jumble sales, bought box sets in the sale. And don't get me started on clothes, particularly "work clothes".

good luck with bringing some control to your life - just don't go too mad, a little splurge every now and then is good for you, be it food, books or anything else. Enjoy it & don't be too hard on yourself.

A xxx

Amber @ A Little Pink in the Cornfields said...

I love this! Self Control September!! I am totally on board with this and will do this with you if you want motivators.
I am taking the PE Methods class this semester and tonight we had to do the fitness test that the kids do in school. We ran a mile, did as many pushups and situps that we could do in a minute and got a body composition test. My pushups and situps were good, my miles was 13:07 (I was aiming for 10:00) and my body composition was downright scary. I drove home crying. Literally, tears streaming down my face. Hopefully this class is the kick in the butt that I need. We set goals for ourselves and will do the fitness test again in 12 weeks. I hope I can stay motivated and lower my fat percent.
Goooo you for not smoking for so long! I am so proud of you!!!

Whew, that was long winded. Sorry!

If you're ever interested in doing some sort of challenge together or maybe training for something together (virtually, of course) and then meeting up I would be totally interested! I think it would be so much fun!