Amber - Celebrating 2 months

I never thought when I started this that I would make it 60 days. They say it takes 32 times to create a habit, or something like that. I have to say this is the most positive habit I have created. Quitting smoking of course is difficult. I can't remember the last time I was able to quit for 60 days without cheating even once. I think that is what makes this time different. The fact that I quit drinking helps too. In the past the times I cheated, which eventually led me to start again, had alcohol involved. They do seem to go together quite well. The biggest thing that I never expected to do for 60 days was Bikram.

How in the world can you fit 90 minutes into an already busy schedule? Initially my social life took a back seat. Naturally my social life would take a back seat when quitting the other two things anyway. So, for the first month it was just about getting used to the change. It was all about the "replacement." The second month was about normalizing. Going out on weekends. Trying different things. It is not easy to do anything for 90 minutes a day. No one said a lifestyle change is easy.

A few weeks ago, I started a journal at home. I write in it nightly. It is very simple. I don't write stories. I don't write anything that takes a lot of time. I just write 3 things I am grateful for, 3 things I will accomplish in my life, and 3 things I accomplished today. It remains positive. I will only look back on this journal and remember positive things about each day. Often we dwell on the negative parts, but that only creates a negative mood. I am certainly guilty of that. To that point, if you only focus on the negative aspects of change, you will not achieve your goal. If I focused only on the fact that it is 90 minutes, in a room that is hot as hell, and that when I'm done I look like a drowned rat - I probably wouldn't be sitting here writing this blog 60 days later. Instead I focus on the way it makes me feel, the way it makes me look, the way it makes me think, and the way it has changed my life.

I think often we find reason, or excuses, why we can't do something. This could be as small as logging calls at work (which only take about a minute to do.) It could be as big as losing a few pounds to be out of risk for any number of things. Do a personal survey. Look at your health, your spirituality, your body, your finances, etc. What needs to be changed and how do you get there? I did everything at once, but that is how I had to do it. Even if you do one step to achieving your ultimate goal - you are in the right direction. Once that becomes a habit, you can do another step, etc... This is how you find ways to do something versus excuses to not do anything. Just don't give up and 60 days from now - be sure to celebrate! Even small achievements deserve recognition. The recognition has to start from you. Announce what you have done. Even one congratulations feels great!