The Biggest Lie We Keep Telling Ourselves

  Here’s a little secret regarding our relationship to time & how to start owning it….     Today, I want to talk about the phrase, “I don’t have time to exercise.” This is just AN EXCUSE & a “little white LIE” that we use as a cop out.  We’ve all used it or some form of it like, “I’m just SO busy,” at one time or another.  However, it keeps us playing the victim against time, and most people let us off the hook when we use it.  In actuality, it is just a polite way of saying, “I don’t want to do that right now.”   We have to consider that we get done what we put an importance on everyday. However, what is important to you and me is sometimes very different, and that’s okay.  We all have different goals, priorities, and dreams.  But, I will tell […]

Why We Don’t Have Any Self-Control

      Here I go again…I followed my diet plan to perfection today, and then I got home from work and ate 3 pieces of pizza and drank a bottle of wine.  WTH?  I wasn’t even thinking about pizza earlier today?   Ever wonder how we can do so good all day long and stay on our meal plan, and then  get home from work and eat everything in sight?   Ever find yourself eagerly awaiting a vacation or the weekend so you can let loose and eat “ALL the good stuff”?  It’s so much more socially acceptable to lose ALL CONTROL on the weekends for some reason….But, what causes us to lose control and what can we do about it?   Four Reasons That May Cause Us to Lose ANY and ALL Self-Control   We Aren’t Managing our Stress Properly. Making Too Many Changes at Once in our […]

These FITmas Gift Ideas Are Timeless

    Whether you’re looking for something to buy for yourself for the holidays or for someone else, why not buy something that can be used all year long and improve our health?   I decided to put together a few of my favorite things that I love and use throughout the year that keep me Moving, Motivated, and Mindful!   Fitbit:  I love my Fitbit Heart Rate Charge because it helps me to be more mindful of my movement and it tracks my sleep patterns, both are very important when it comes to fat-loss & weight maintenance.  There’s many different versions to fit your budget.  Click the pic to see their current specials.       Foam Roller:  “Go Roll Yo Self!” Every home should have one!  Give yourself the gift of a deep tissue massage after a long, hard day or workout.  You can buy one HERE!     […]

Why Do We Think Our “Future Self” Has More Time, Money, &/or Energy?

 

Procrastination & The Illusion of our “Future Self”

 

 

Have you ever said or thought any of the following statements?

 

•I’ll get started with healthy eating and exercise after the holidays are over.

•I’ll do ________ tomorrow.  I’ll have more energy and I’ll be able to fit it in my schedule better tomorrow.

•I don’t feel like working out today.  I’m going to skip it.  I’ll feel like it tomorrow.

•I can’t afford this new sweater, but I’m going to buy it anyways.  I’ll start putting money in my savings account next payday.

•I’ll have more time to work on ________ project next month.

•Once I get X, Y, & Z in order, then I’ll have more time to do _________, which is what I really want to be doing.

 

What Do All of these Scenarios Have in Common?

 

The illusion that our “future selves” are going to have more time, money, energy, willpower, resources, etc., so we might as well keep putting off the things that really matter to us on our “future selves”.

 

Our brains are wired for IMMEDIATE GRATIFICATION.  Even though deep down we really want to resist temptation in the moment or take action instead of procrastinating, we also have a strong feeling that our “future self” is going to be better able to handle the task.

 

This thinking is actually part of our neuroscience and how the reward centers are wired in our brains, but now that we’re AWARE that it’s happening…we can choose a different path!

 

First Things First….I’m a Realist….

 

We are not going to do anything differently tomorrow than what we can do today!  I’m so guilty of always thinking or saying, “I’m going to have more energy and time tomorrow to do X, Y, & Z.  But guess what, there’s no more time in Monday than on Tuesday.  24 hours is all there is every single day the last time I checked.

 

As for the energy part, who knows how I’m going to feel from day to day, right?  It’s all an illusion.  The only moment we have is RIGHT NOW to take action, and we have the ability to control our daily behaviors and that’s just about all we can control.

 

So, The next time you find yourself thinking you’ll have more time, money, energy, resources, &/or willpower tomorrow and are thinking of procrastinating or giving in to temptation, I want you to remember that your “future self” doesn’t really exist.  All we can do is what we can do right now in this moment!

 

What are your choices?


If you’re procrastinating, just take action, or as my coach/mentor, Jill Coleman, says #GSD (Get Shit Done), or copy the infamous Nike slogan, and JUST DO IT!

 

If you’re contemplating giving into temptation, ask yourself, “Is this indulgence or activity harmless to my long term goal/s?”  If the answer is no, then mindfully indulge or participate.  If the answer is Yes, think about turning around and walking away.

 

Feel free to share in the comments below when you find yourself in a situation of FUTURING & what you can do to overcome it?

 

Thanks for stopping by,
Tommie

 

P.S.  If you’re procrastinating on getting started with exercise, head over to my You Tube Channel, & follow along with our #MoveMorevember Workouts!

 

Sources:  “The Willpower Instinct” a book by Kelly McGonigal.

 

The Main Reason We Crave Sweets During the Holidays

  I’m convinced that one of the main reasons for craving sweets and baked goods during the holidays is because we’re STRESSED & we’re not managing our STRESS through more positive outlets, so we turn to the quick fix which gives us a boost in seratonin & dopamine, & are usually the chocolates, baked goods, &/or alcoholic beverage of your choosing.     The Good News…these temporarily make you feel better and relaxed, and give you short term relief.   The Bad News….it’s easy to overindulge rather quickly, which usually leads us to feel regretful, hungover, and even feel more tired & stress…   This isn’t a good way to start out our already busy days during the holiday season….see how this cycle can get a little vicious & repetitive.   Psssst. I’ve got a secret! Here are two strategies that will manage your stress in a more positive outlet, but we will resist it at […]