Priorities

I’m in a funk.

I know! Not the way you wanted me to start my Month 9 Sparkle Plan post. But since I promised to be honest during the Sparkle Plan, I have to talk about my funk.

(What in the hell is the Sparkle Plan? It’s all about my weight loss and getting healthy journey. Check out the inaugural post here.) Kerri Carpenter

While pondering my funk this past week, I realized three things. 1. I do not make myself a priority. 2. When trying to get healthy (losing weight, being more active, whatever), you have to make yourself a priority. 3. I’m kinda mean…to myself!

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted to go for a run or attend a Zumba class but have gotten waylaid. My dog needs my attention or a friend calls. The laundry won’t do itself and I NEED socks. I’m on a writing deadline. I have a blog post due. The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell movie is on. (Just kidding. Well, not really. But kind of.)

Also, I’ve realized over the course of the last nine months that my problem with weight loss rests mostly with food. I really, really struggle with my diet. That makes it extra sad when I’m finally on a roll with eating but then my dog needs my attention or a friend calls and needs a calorie-laden girls’ night. The laundry won’t do itself and that means I can’t get to the grocery store to buy healthy food. Takeout is soooo much easier. (And fattier.) I’m on a writing deadline and I stress eat. The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell movie is being re-aired. (Just kidding. Okay, seriously, we all know I’m not.)

Some of the things ambushing me are good excuses, but they’re still excuses. When you want to get healthy, and you’re really serious about it, the excuses have to go.

As for being a total d-bag to myself, I really don’t know when and where this started. But I do realize it’s getting worse, almost like I’m having my own personal roast every single day. This really came to a head the other night. I was at a baseball game and one of my friends said I had to say one nice thing about myself by the end of the night. It took me wayyyyy too long to come up with something. One little thing. A tiny little compliment. And I was stumped! (In the end, I decided I was having a really good hair day, in case anyone was wondering.)

And that’s when I realized that making yourself a priority includes being kind to yourself. How do you expect to feel positive when you’re berating yourself? Or in my case, coming up with harsh insults set to early Nineties R&B songs.

So I’ve decided that my goal for the next month is to prioritize myself and stopping being a jerkface to Kerri. I’m not setting any goals about working out or not eating after a certain time. Instead, I’m keeping it simple. By the end of every day, I have to say at least one nice thing about myself.

Join me in the comments. Offer up one nice thing about yourself. I dare you!

*I am not a doctor. I’d say that’s great because I’m literally not smart enough to be a doctor, but that would conflict with the whole positivity thing I have going on in this post. Hence, always consult your own physician before embarking on any fitness or eating plan.

 

13 thoughts on “Priorities

  1. ummm I think I have been telling you to do this for like…. ever!!!! Let me know if you need to revisit my list about you… And a good thing about me… Well, I am realizing that really a kind person and sometimes have to remind people that I do not have ulterior motives. I really want to know how someone is, I want to hear about their day and enjoy helping other feel happy and enjoy life! And I enjoy seeing the good things in other people 🙂

    Kerri – You always can make me laugh and are the best story teller I know. I still can step foot in many of the scenes I remember from stories you have written, thank you for that!

  2. Wonderful post, Kerri…and I hear you. We tend to beat ourselves up more than not. But good for you to make the changes.

    I will say this about myself, “I am accomplishing things I’ve always dreamed of doing!”

    Hugs to you!

  3. You should try that FB fade that’s going around there people say 3-5 positive things about themselves each day. It can be hard, but it’s a good way to realize how Sparkle Awesome you are.

  4. I struggle with this too. I found myself making to do lists and beating myself up if I didn’t do it all. I came to a similar realization and now have a for me list. Everyday I try to exercise, pray or meditate, do one thing for me, and say something positive about me. I felt dorky about it until I read you blog. You go girl! You inspired and affirmed me! You are awesome and have great ideas. I miss you!

    1. Are you crazy-sauce, Masha! Ha-ha! I could never live without lists. And lists of lists! Come on! 😉

  5. I really enjoyed your post and I agree. I never put myself first. I’ve always got something on my plate that needs to be done before I can get to me. As for something nice to say about myself, I’m organized??? Well, maybe, well, sometimes. Okay so maybe I need to work on this stuff a bit myself.

  6. Okay pin head. #1 eat popcorn little butter and lots of water. #2 your pretty
    . #3 take dog out for a run or walk fast.
    Love you . Cuz
    Precious

  7. This is a really great goal, Kerri! Once, my negative self-talk had gotten so bad, my friend said I wasn’t allowed to say it out loud anymore. I could think it as much as I wanted – just couldn’t say it. Well, amazingly enough, it turned out that by refraining from saying actually decreased the thoughts, as well!

  8. Kerri! You must avoid the nega-talk. You know, the the negative thinking that is just a sneaky way if being angry at yourself FOR NO REASON. When you can let those urges go and embrace the posi-think, we will be blinded by your sparkle!
    Here’s mine: I’ve gradually come to understand that something about me makes people willing to tell their stories. I don’t know why, but I consider it an honor, and I keep their secrets, even though they don’t ask.

  9. You’re coming to a realization the hit me twenty years ago. I was trying to feel better about myself while going through a very rough period in my life. Finally realized it was up to me to treat myself at least as well as I would treat a child or my dog. I had to stop calling myself stupid and stop “should”ing all over myself. It took a while, but I did learn to be polite and loving to myself. You are a beautiful gift from the universe, Kerri. Thanks for the post.

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