“A person who is successful has simply formed a habit of doing things that unsuccessful people will not do.”
—Unknown
February 2012
January 2012
Compliments. How do you mean them?
I just read a (respectful) disagreement about compliments and why people give them. One arguing that they are given 80% of the time just as a fishing method to get one in return while the other claimed that they were genuine.
So, I started thinking about compliments I give and get and how I (or others) react to them.
I give a compliment when I feel it is deserved. I even compliment strangers I know I will never see again. Even if it’s silly, or small, or irrelevant to the situation. Maybe I think someone has beautiful eyes. Maybe I really like their shirt or bag or style of dress. Maybe they have a really nice smile or they have a cool accent. I notice those things and I comment upon them.
There is plenty of room for kindness in this world and I will fill that space up when I can. I don’t care if we have never met or if I see you every day. I like to be kind to people. And in return I am so grateful for any compliments I receive. I never throw them back, or tell the complimentor they are wrong or “oh no, I look terrible today.”
You put your opinion out for all to see when you compliment someone. I think it shows a side of you that you may otherwise hide. You may admire in another what you wish you had for yourself and when that person throws your compliment back at you, or turns it away, it makes you feel slighted. Like the thing you admire in them (that you were brave enough to come forth and admit) is looked down on while you look up at it.
So, say thank you. Smile. Maybe even smile and say “really?” if you’re in genuine disbelief. But it’s better to believe the intentions are good than to be cynical all the time. If I ever compliment you, it’s never because I expect one back.
Cheers,
~Bonnie
Hi Bonnie! Great blog you've got! I had a question regarding something that my wife and I have been splitting hairs on. On the topic of staying focused do you find it best to log meals/workouts/etc or to keep it simple with a mental note to "workout x times a week and eat healthy". My preference is for the former because of progress tracking/motivation but my wife says that's too restrictive and actually makes working out/eating healthy more of a chore. What do you find works for you?
HI!! :D Thank you!
That’s awesome that you and your wife are doing this together! (My husband just watches me work out and hides from my cussing and hissing.)
Personally, I find that keeping track works best for me. I went for a while without logging my intake and it was really easy for me to get off track and eat too much, or not eat the right proportions of the right things. Plus I find it helpful to be able to look back and see where I was successful and where I was not.
I do not have a set workout schedule though. I love to work out and I never find it hard to convince myself to do it. It’s just something I do every day (except rest days) and I usually wait until I am ready to do it to decide what kind of workout I’ll be doing. I may plan on doing a HIIT workout, but if it’s a beautiful day, I may go for a run instead. But, I still log it in my workout book.
It’s really easy to track your progress especially if you are prone to repeating workouts once in a while. Then you can compare your reps/times and see your improvement.
Personally, I track:
- calories (1400-1600)
- protein (60-75g)
- carbs (180-190g)
- fat (45-50g)
- fiber (25-35g)
- workouts (5-6 days/week)
That’s just too many numbers for my poor little brain to remember! Some people even track how much water they drink. It’s overwhelming for me to try and remember all that.
***BUT***
I can totally understand how it feels like a chore. The reason I stopped tracking my food was because I was so frustrated with the idea of having to do it. Just… UGH!
In the grand scheme of things, I think it’s really important to find what works for YOU. Maybe make it simpler? Just put a green ‘X’ on the calendar for days you worked out and leave it blank on the days you rest. Then it’s not so much a chore.
You could also put a red ‘X’ for days where your intake wasn’t what it should have been. Like, you went out for dinner or ate a whole pizza (I am so guilty of that. I love pizza.) So, it’s not an exact science, but it can allow you to notice trends. Once you spot a negative trend you can avoid it. Or, if you notice a positive trend you can try and keep it going.
More than anything, I think it’s great that you and your wife can motivate each other! Even if you do it differently, you can still cheer each other on! YAY!!!! :D
Cheers,
~Bonnie
Confession:
I have never resolved to work out, lose weight, eat better or get stronger because of something negative someone else has ever said to me or because I want to make someone eat their words.
Ever.
To be perfectly honest, those kids who picked on me in school? I can’t even remember their names. They are nothing to me. Nothing. And I can promise you this: I will never let someone who means nothing to me, be my motivation. Besides, those people will only find something else to use as a word-weapon against me anyway. Too fat, too strong, too short, too young, too old, too smart, too dumb, too something. Those people have so much insecurity that they try to break those around them. I cannot be broken because I have decided I cannot be broken. I am composed of matter and matter cannot be created nor destroyed. Mother fucker… I am eternal. You cannot take me down.
Every ounce of my desire, my drive and my motivation comes from within me and that is why I will succeed. Existing in this crazy world provides enough resistance to keep me going. I don’t need haters. Besides… they can’t keep up with me.
“I don’t believe in failure, because simply by saying you’ve failed, you’ve admitted you attempted. And anyone who attempts is not a failure. Those who truly fail in my eyes are the ones who never try at all. The ones who sit on the couch and whine and moan and wait for the world to change for them.”
— Sarah Dessen (via simplyisis)
Weird Bonnie Fact:
I loooooooove the smell of a new pool toy. When you open that plastic bag and the plastic toy is all stuck together from the factory? Best. Smell. Ever.
Doesn’t matter if it’s a raft, a beach ball, water wings… whatever. I love love love love love the smell.
I’m glad I don’t let strange looks from other people phase my enthusiasm because I always inhale really deep with my face half way inside the bag like a crazy person.
This concludes today’s WBF.
