Do what you're going to do, Don't do what you won't!

Today when I got up I went to the gym. I have been going for the past 3 days, since I decided to start my diet. I am serious about this diet. I have only eaten fresh fruit and my soup (oh, and I cheated with ice cream) in those 3 days. I also take vitamins. I thought I was starting at 190, but on the gym scale it was 197 :(. Today I weighed myself and it was 194! I'm on my way! When I dieted before I had a receptionist, Nancy, who was a body builder. I was the only office that had a receptionist that was able to be a bouncer. She often wore sleeveless blouses and had shoulders that any man would envy! I asked her what the best way to diet was, she said to forget all the fad diets, the most important thing was to limit you caloric intake, and increase your exercise. I asked her what was the best exercise. She replied with something that was very profound, and she would be surprised to know that I still think about it. She said the best exercise is something I will do, not that I won't do. I don't know if that makes sense to anyone, but I use this philosophy in many things I do now. I know that I will go to the gym and go on the elliptical for 20 - 30 minutes. I know that I will lift some weights for 10 or 15 minutes. Anything more than that I am not sure I will do. I will play sports if I can find someone to play with. I'm not sure what else I will do, but I know I won't run 2 miles every day, but I might sometime. I know what I will eat, I like my soup, so I eat that, usually one container of soup either for lunch or dinner, or both. I will eat a small steak sometimes, since i have a few in my freezer. I will eat apples and bananas, but not usually oranges. So, when I diet I do what I will do, and don't do what I won't! I have applied this to other things in my life. I teach ESL. When my students ask me what the best way to study English I say do what you will do and don't do what you won't. If you will listen to music, then do it. If it doesn't fit your life style, then don't. I always suggest that my students read books to improve their English. When they ask what kind of books I tell them to read children's books, usually written for 4th or 5th graders. They ask why. I tell them because I know they might actually read a children's book, but an adult book would be too hard to finish. I tell them to read what they will read, but don't force themselves to try to read something they won't read. I also use this with personal relationships, if I like someone I will try to do things for them, but I know that eventually I will do what I will do, and won't do what I won't do. It is hard to change my routine, and sometimes I can successfully, but usually whatever new comes into my life will fit into my routine. When I got my 2 cats I knew I had to fit them into my routine, I had to feed them the way I would, and not the way I wouldn't. So, I got one of those water bowls that I didn't have to refill often, and I got a food bowl that I could fill with food and keep that filled. The cats are happy, I am happy to have the company, and I found out things I will do, and don't have to do anything I won't do.