Day 8: Progressive Discipline? What could I know about it?

Adam spoke in his Vlog today about the concept of progressive discipline. I thought to myself, "What could I know about this? I'm not even REALLY working out." And then as quicker than ever another voice, said, "You do know something."

I've been an RTP-blog.com follower since the late of April '07, but I didn't even start to use one of Adam's most useful tools, the "accountability blog" in earnest until July 1st.

At first, I just started with smaller minor goals. I knew I did not have the discipline to do what Adam was doing, I even wrote:

I've been inspired by a guy named Adam Waters who's program is very inspiring and INTENSE. I am not so intense for a number of reasons. But if you really want to see somebody go all out and really GO FOR IT, (because my way will be significantly more me and hence a hell of a lot let disciplined) you REALLY HAVE TO CHECK HIM OUT.

Progressive Discipline Means that I Do Not Have to Set Myself Up to Fail

Slowly over time, I started blogging more and upping my commitment to a program. I just couldn't afford to set myself up to run a marathon when I hadn't even made a step. I think that was my problem for a long time. Simply overestimating my mental and physical abilities and setting myself up for failure.

Even when this Group Shred came up, I just posted a comment and said, "I'm in," then rushed over to my best, cyber pal SUZETTE'S blog for some support, and now, I have been blogging and taking photos daily and have even started to walk without my walker. I set a goal and made a plan that was challenging and yet doable.

My Food Has Never Been Better or Easier to Maintain

Food has been a big one for me in the past. But at first all I set up for myself was to focus on drinking water and eating as many fruits and veggies as I could. Later, I would commit to not having too many simple carbs, fried foods, and sweets. I let myself have the occasional treat.

When I realized my immobility was going to be a lot longer than I originally thought, I found a food program that I could do, but would still challenge me. I picked Weight Watchers online. The first week I went over "my points." The second week, I stayed within my points. And now, it is EXTREMELY easy for me to do. Even though the Weight Watchers points system allows for the occasional treat, during this 14 Day Mission, I have had my food the cleanest of my whole life.

I was a lurker.

I loved reading Adam's blog. I poured through the posts and thought, "I can't do that. I don't have the time, I have an injury, etc. etc.." And you know what? I haven't done that. Until recently, I have not set aside the time. I did not have the discipline. BUT I've done something, and this concept that Adam's talking about, progressive discipline, means that one day, I too, will be able to shred hard like Adam and the rest of the shredders, but in the meantime, I can enjoy the fruits of what discipline I can muster. And it grows all the time.

Here are some very personal photos that I thought I would never reveal.

Here are my before and after photos. I am smiling in my before photo, because I was very happy on that day. Not because I was the most disciplined person in the world or that I had hit such a painful point in my life, but because I set myself up to win. That first photo is one of MY FAVORITE PHOTOS of me in the whole world, because I am happy. In that moment, even in a bikini, even being fat, even not being that disciplined, I felt like I was enough. I even can see it and remember the feeling every time I look at it. I knew I would not fail this time, because I was already a winner. So are you. No matter what.