Good morning! 
I ate the exact same breakfast as yesterday morning, so I’ll spare you the details. You’ve seen it before! š
When I started blogging, I read a book called Fit from Within, which (as cheesy as it may sound) helped me change my body and my life.Ā The book includes 101 “simple secrets,” which are sometimes obvious, but sometimes profound. Here are a few examples: “Accept Yourself Today,” “Walk More,” and “Focus on Living a Quality Life.”
Fit from Within is a great read for someoneĀ ready to change the behavior and attitudes that are stopping them from reaching their goals. I still pick up this book from time-to-time when I am looking for some motivation.
My favorite “simple secret” from the book is Get Up, Get Dressed, Get Going. The author relates it to overeating, but it applies to other parts of life as well. Basically, when your body is occupied, your mind is too. When you get up, get dressed, and get going, you’re ready to live your day with purpose and get things done. You might not feel like it, but once you do, you’ll notice a difference in your attitude.
I love working from home, but I’ve found that it’s really easy to get myself into a rut. For instance, I used to stay in my PJs until dinnertime, which meant that I didn’t shower, brush my hair, or put on make-up. As you can imagine, this affected how I felt about myself. I actually started to feel pretty blah and ended up sitting around the house like a bump on a log.
Since moving into our new house, my goal is to Get Up, Get Dressed, Get Going every single day, and, so far, I’ve done it– even on the weekends! š This thinking has also helped me stick to my morning exercise routine. I like to shower before I get dressed, but I don’t like to shower more than once a day, which means I fit in my workout right after breakfast. After taking a shower and putting on clean clothes, my day gets off on the right foot.
The simple act of getting dressed really makes a difference in my outlook for the day. I feel like I get so much done when I am wearing “real” clothes. My thinking is: if I made the effort to shower and get dressed, I might as well DO something with my day!
Even changing from my slippers to sneakers makes all the difference!
You get the idea! š
CVS Flu Shots Giveaway
Thanks to everyone who entered last week’s giveaway for a chance to win a CVS gift card for an in-store flu shot. Here are your winners:
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Congrats to the winners!! Please email me at tina@carrotsncake.com with your full name and mailing address to claim your gift card!
Question of the Day
What book has changed how your outlook/how you live your life?
P.S. Check out what I bought at the grocery store this week. It’s only a 3-day work week, but somehow I spent a lot of money! šÆ
75 Comments
That is such great advice – I don’t think I could work from home because I would never get dressed.
I have no idea what I’m going to do when I’m a mom… intervention starts now.
I love this idea and know exactly how good it feels! But I need to practice it more on weekends š
thanks!
I actually just finished Man’s Search for Meaning. I’ve been needing more inspiration lately to find my purpose in life or at least my purpose for the moment. Simple, yet profound in it’s message. It’s all about your attitude towards ANY situation and being able to learn from every situation, good or bad. It’s a great read. Love your blog, Tina!
I love The Four Agreements! It was recommended on an NPR show. I borrowed it from the library but I’ve got to go out and get a copy for myself so I can make notes and highlight it up. It’s one of those books that I know I’ll be going back to again. I’ll have to check out Fit From Within too.
When I first got married I subscribed to FlyLady.net newsletters and get up, get showered, get dressed is one of their biggest pieces of advice for those working from home!
Not a book (although there is a workbook) but taking a Dialectical Behavior Thearapy skills training class changed (and saved) my life last fall. It is really powerful.
The book “the alchemist” changed my view on life as far as getting out and going after your dreams, taking risks etc. It is my favorite book ever- it’s by paul coelho
7 Steps to a Better You by Joel Osteen totally changed my life. It taught me to think positively and not let negative thoughts take over. I’m forever grateful to it!
I can totally relate to the wanting to stay in PJs being a stay at home Mom, especially with little messy hands all day š
sounds like a great read, thanks for sharing! the book that’s changed my outlook is Rick Warren’s “A Purpose Driven Life.”
That book sounds great, I am going to try to track it down .. If you haven’t read Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now, you should as it is an inspiring and mind altering read!
Gotta love the crazy weather! š
The book that really changed my fit life has been Karon Karter’s book “Six Weeks to a Bikini Body”. It maps out 6 weeks of workouts that incorporate strength training, yoga and pilates, and cardio. This book single-handedly got me addicted to energy and health benefits (ie- my skinny jeans fitting) of regular exercise!
TOTALLY agree with you on the whole idea here. I’m the same way…I always feel like I get so much more out of my day if I get in my workout, shower, and get dressed all first thing. And as much as a like to “be lazy” on the occasional weekend, there’s still a part of me that gets that urge to just get everything else taken care of. It’s a battle!
Great tip- that book sounds really interesting!
awesome book
I”m reading Delusions of Gender at the moment which, while it’s about something I’ve believed for a long time, is absolutely amazing in terms of deconstructing our social beliefs about gender differences. I highly recommend it š
Totally feel you on the “get up get dressed” thing. Especially for class or tests in college, i HAD to put on real clothes to feel like a real person! Now I work in an office so it’s not much of a problem, but I do try to dress extra business-y on Mondays to get back into the work week.
I really needed to hear this today! Thank you so much! I’ve been feeling so rotten about myself lately and I think I could benefit from this book and from your tips! I’m going to get up, get dressed, and get moving for the rest of the week as a mini goal and start from there!
Sometimes I find it really hard to get going in the mornings, but I agree that when I actually get myself up and out the door for a run or something first thing my whole day feels more productive after that.
I’m not so great at the getting dressed part of it, though. I’m one of those has specific ‘at home’ comfy pants that I change into the second I walk in the door.. but I so usually pair them with a normal top, so it’s not that bad!
Tina,
I completely agree with this. I am one to follow routines, and if I break the routine of “gettin dressed” then my entire day is a slump or a dump!! If I stay in my pajamas all day I feel slobby and as a result will do nothing!
Even though I read your posts everyday, I really felt the need to comment today.
Love your blog.
Ahh, thank you! I will be picking this up ASAP!
That sounds like a good book! Yeah, I make sure I get some decent clothes on early in the morning on weekends – it helps me to get more done somehow!
I would also have to chime in with the Bible as being an inspiring book. Like this line: “a gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” or this one “a good name [i.e. character] is better than great riches.” Words to live by, for real.
Great post. I think the book that inspired me to look at the world differently was “How to Expand Love” by the Dalai Lama. Thank you!
I have to say, when i read your review for Fit For Within, i bought i’d get on amazon and give it a go. It sounded like the perfect book that not only focuses on weight loss or on diet but on your spirit, mind and approach to life and food. I bought it and i was right, i love this book. I do not have any weight to lose, but this book is so helpful in those times when even the most stable person can feel out of control around food. I do! Thankyou for such a sound review of a product, I will keep this one with me for quite some time! xx
I have LOVED this book for years and have it at my bedside. After gaining 5 lbs over the holidays….this simple statement has got me back on track.