I am a creature of habit but I am always looking for different ways to break bad habits. One thing I did for years was tell myself, "you're going on a diet this Monday! Nobody starts a diet on Saturday, start it on Monday!" This is really just an excuse to pig out for the weekend and then hope somehow I can get a handle on my foods Monday morning. It rarely worked. The only thing that motivated me to eat 100% natural pre-agricultural era foods was the day I realized how tired I was for so many years and was most likely pre-diabetic and possibly already a Type 2 diabetic.
For the past 2 years I have been eating very well overall but the past few months I've been eating moderately shitty. Instead of waiting until I feel sick/tired again and telling myself to start a diet this Monday morning I want to focus on the things that are tangible, things that I can measure. I view this as a method of self motivation, just a way to get the ball rolling as I try to restrict processed foods and sugars.
Instead of simply weighing myself and focusing on 1 specific thing, the scale, I am going to measure the following things every morning for a week or 2.
Weight
Morning/fasted blood sugar
Waist size
Caliper measurements at waistline
Morning appetite
I know from previous experience that:
My weight fluctuates between 165-low 170's.
My fasting BS can go down 10-20 points just by restricting sugars and processed foods for 1 day.
I have not measured my waist for a long time but when I did it was usually 33-34 inches.
Previous waistline caliper measurements are anywhere from 9-12 millimeters. 9 when I am very lean, closer to 12 when I am pudgy-for-me.
My morning appetite is very weak when eating crap all the time but when I am eating clean I wake up hungry for a full meal. Waking up at least a little hungry is ideal. I will rate morning appetite on a scale of 0, 1 or 2. 0 for no appetite, 1 for some appetite and 2 for hungry for a full meal.
And let me recognize that this behavior is a little obsessive/compulsive/controlling but look, I am a fitness professional so it is important that I look and feel awesome all the time. It's my opinion that I can never be a good trainer/coach if I am pudgy and tired. We need great energy and attitude for our clients, we must teach by example.
I teach Yoga, Hardstyle Kettlebells and barbells.
