Creating a Habit Takes Three Weeks

You all know that when quitting something, it can take up to three weeks before your body starts to care less about whatever it is you are quitting. Well guess what, creating a habit takes three weeks too. Before the summer I was at the gym 4-5 days a week (sometimes more), my habit had been created. Funny, how quickly a habit that is formed can come to an end.

The summer is full of parties, weddings, vacation, etc... which means the gym is no longer 2nd of things to do on my list (work is number 1, got to pay those bills), it is now number 348,734 (no, really). I am very disappointed in myself at this point. I had busted my butt from November till May, lost almost 40lbs...and now I am in my rut. The last time my "rut" happened, I gained 30lbs.

I need a schedule. I'm usually an organized person. But when I work until 5:30-6pm and go home, have dinner, clean the house (since it is on the market, it has to stay spotless, ALWAYS)...the last thing I want to do is go to the gym at 8:30pm. Now, the problem with that statement is "want" -- it isn't a want, it's a need. This is a habit I NEED to get back into, regardless of if it is at 8:30pm or 5:30am.

I would love to say that I am going to create a schedule that will allow me to do all the things I "need / want" but that won't happen. I start a part-time job on August 11th, so the lack of knowing my schedule, will put a damper on creating a schedule. However, I am going to, with all my might, get to the gym by 5:30am, Monday-Friday (help us all now). If I can get that going for the next three weeks, then MAYBE I'll have my habit formed again, and get back on track.

I'm also going to try to be more religious with this blog. Katie's blog is what got me thinking this would help. While all it has done lately is make me feel like a big fat failure, it is kind of helping because I feel bad when I don't write and feel even worse telling you all I haven't done crap for weeks! Now, that should be motivation.

Time to create my habit again... I have found some articles to help me find ways to make this easier:

10 Ways to Make Exercising a Habit
How to Make Exercise a Habit
7 Ways to Build the Exercise Habit - oh look at that, #4!

~Melissa
Dunno what I weigh right now
Goal: 157lbs