One of the best ways that I’ve found to keep me focused on weight loss recently is getting organized.
Most importantly getting organized can take away some of the excuses for not working out or eating properly.
For many years my house and work space have been a complete mess. I first started with my workspace after reading a post titled “The Benefits of a Clean and Tidy Workspace”. I had papers all over the place, dust on my pictures and drawers overflowing with junk. In general everything was cluttered and only added to an already stressful day.
At the Office
Once I cleaned and organized my desk and drawers I made space for my healthy snacks, my food journal as well as a place to keep my “motivational” items. Which include a list of my goals and a picture of me at my heaviest.
In the Kitchen
This is the area that you will see the most benefit from getting organized. I have all my Tupperware, saran wrap and baggies organized in the cupboards. This makes it easy to prepare my lunches and snacks for the week.
In the fridge, everything has a place.
Fruits in the right drawer, veggies in the left.
Drink containers, Yogurt, sauces and spreads on the top shelve.
Larger veggies and fruit, like cantaloupe, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, cut up pineapples and watermelon, and romaine lettuce all go on the middle shelve.
Meats and milk stay on the bottom shelve.
Condiments and salad dressings go in the door.
The same kind of organization goes for the freezer and the pantry. Knowing where everything is reduces the time it takes to prepare your meals and some of the stress involved.
In your home gym or workout area
If you are like me they you have a space in your house where you like to workout and store all of your exercise related items. I have my treadmill, exercise mat, dumbbells exercise ball, and workout shoes stored in one corner of my basement.
I’ve recently started keeping my workout clothes down there as well. I keep at least 2 sets hanging clean and ready to go when I need them. When I’m done with my workout all the equipment gets cleaned and put back in its original place.
In your bathroom
The room with the mirror. This is where I weigh in, take my measurements and get a good look at where the pounds and inches are coming off. An organized bathroom is so important. It’s usually the first place you go to in the morning and can set the tone for the rest of the day.
My scale, measuring tape and record book are all neatly placed beside the vanity for easy access. I also have a spot on my mirror where I keep another picture of myself when I was overweight. It serves as a reminder of how far I’ve come.
Final thought on getting organized
A huge part of losing weight is changing your lifestyle. I believe that mess and clutter go hand in hand with your weight problems. I also think that for most people if their house and work space are constantly disorganized chances are that their thoughts are too. And that is where the real battle of the bulge is fought.
One last tip
I used to always forget to take my multi-vitamin in the morning. The bottle was stored in a cupboard with all the other odds and ends (medicine, gravy boat etc..). Since getting organized I have moved them to a shelve in the hall where I keep my keys. Now I can’t leave the house without seeing the bottle and I haven’t had a day without one since.
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What you write here makes perfect sense. It goes with clutter as well. Have you heard about the book by Peter Walsh Does this clutter make my butt look big? He ties a cuttered unorganized house with weight gain.
Great info.
Great post. I lost 130 pounds by pre-planning and getting organized. Organizing and planning eliminates the need for will-power. Will-power is overrated.
I just stumbled upon you via Yahoo! There are lots of great tip and tricks here! And organization is soooo important!!
I think the scariest part of loosing weight is putting in the counter top mirrors Thats really when I decided to go on a diet.
It was the first time that what I saw really scared me my body was completely out of control.
I suffered some major problems because of being overweight (and I’m not even counting the social problems)
Looks to me like you have a good program set up and I think I’ll try following it!
Thanks for sharing it! Tommy
dont think I would like to stand in front of the mirror…;)
phew..u’re very well organized and no wonder it works for u..thumbs up!!
I think diet and exercise are both important, and everybody is different , your program should be tailored to you. I suggest nutrition every day and exercise every other day start slow and lite then build it up gradually.
Getting organized can be a workout in it`s self but it`s well worth the effort , have a great journey and good luck.
Wow really challenging stuff for a happily disorganised but unhappily overweight person! I’ll have to think about this one…
once you are in the ‘big’ mode, you really need to watch your diet..make a time for exercising..
Wow! I think you have really hit a hot button here with a lot of us. I’m starting to organize things better starting right now!
Wow – this is such a great idea on an aspect of weight loss that I’ve never thought of. Excellent!
I peruse a lot of health and fitness blogs, but I don’t seem to recall seeing this *great* idea anywhere else. These days its pretty tough to find an original topic.
Thank you!
Metroknow
AlmostFit.com
Wxercise is always the best choice. By the wya, i like your article
That is so cool. I’ve never read an article that ties organization with weight loss… a refreshing angle but it makes sense
I’m gonna go clean off my desk right now
Your article is actually told that no excuse on “no time to do exercise”. By just spend a bit of time everyday, we can gain a health body, then why do we do it?
Great.. I will try.. thanks
Good tips. I am watching my weight and I eat certain food only. I used to gobble up everything but lately, I have become picky. It is all for my own good though.
Excellent post.. never thought of this way.. brilliant idea… I would definitely give it a try….
All these should keep me motivated to remove that flabby stomach. =) (Though I know it would be harder than it seems) Cheers and thanks for the tips.
I think the scariest part of loosing weight is putting in the counter top mirrors Thats really when I decided to go on a diet.
that would be a great idea actually. reminder at the best place possible.
that’s really a scariest part Traveler. This post is really excellent. i love your topic!
I’m going to take your tip for the vitamins. I always forget to take them each day so now i put them near my mirror so that I can see it
Nice post, I agree with it 100%
An untidy workplace or house can be an extension of your thoughts, once you take the effort to get everything orginised you will find your life becomes alot more orginised, and less stressful IME.
Andy
Fitness Uncovered