I'm Slacking Today

Man, today is a slacker day in the Andrew B. Universe.
I recently decided to schedule my workouts on a Wed., Fri., Sat., and maybe Monday schedule - starting this week. Today is Friday, and boy did i NOT have it in me to make it to the gym. This is one of those small things that can add up to Epic Fails later on. A lot of people would say "it's only ONE day, no big deal." But most people also have the same New Years Resolution this year, as they did last year (and probably the year before that as well). This year one of my goals is to gain weight and keep it on. More specifically, hit 155 lbs by April 15th, and at least stay above 147 for the rest of the year. Right now I'm a little above 140 lbs.
"What's the problem?", you say. "Can it really be that hard to gain weight?" My answer to that is: Yes! Especially if I'm missing days in the gym. Look at it from the reverse perspective - someone trying to lose weight. They may think, "well, its only ONE can of soda, it ain't gonna hurt that bad." But the truth is, IT WILL! This is why i stress out, and beat myself up over one lost day at the gym. My plan is to work out 3-4 times per week, if i miss just one day I'm 25-33% behind on my goal. Keeping in mind that there are only 7 days in a week, and if i want the recommended one-day-of-rest between each workout, missing even one gym day can be lethal.

Luckily for me, I've read enough books to know how to handle myself without going into a tailspin of self-condemnation - I made a compromise with myself - a deal, if you will. I allowed myself to not go to the gym, but to make up for it i would have to tackle something else that would improve another aspect of my life. I now have to finish three overdue items from my to-do list, and i have to do two sets of push-ups and chin ups in my apartment. Looking back, getting my ass to the gym, in the first place, would have been way easier - one of my to-do list items is my Feb. budget - ugh! At least now, though, I don't feel as guilty about missing my gym time. In fact, i almost feel a sense of accomplishment - for getting in a small workout and tackling my procrastination items - which will lead to more confidence down the road.

What I am deciding to take away from this mornings lesson is:
1. Don't be so hard on yourself. Nobody is perfect - as hard as everyone tries to be anyways - it just wont happen. So, why beat yourself up over it. Now, that isn't me saying not to be disciplined or that you won't have to make up for falling behind - because, believe me, you will have to make it up somehow. Just don't spend too much time in self-condemnation, it just reinforces negative subconscious patterns, which will make your journey even harder.
2. Acknowledge any speed bumps that arise in your path. Its one thing to make excuses for not following through on your plans and goals, fooling yourself into thinking that you don't actually have to work to attain results. Its another to be honest with yourself about what you want and why, and knowing the time and effort it takes to get there, and then putting in the work - one way or another. Which leads into...
3. BE FLEXIBLE - or at least as flexible as you can while still maintaining course to hit your goals. Build flexibility into your overall plan-of-action, you'll appreciate your own foresight later on. Trust me on that one. Knowing your own strengths/weaknesses allows you to build fail-safes into your P.O.A to keep you on track despite your shortcomings.

So, let me get started on my new assignments. Cheers.