Comfort Zones/My Connections

So I have been blogging for a few years now, right?  I created this blog while I was still on my journey to lose weight once and for all and to lead a healthy lifestyle.  Through that journey, blogging became a very useful tool for me.  Through my blog, I was able to connect to other people dealing with the same day-to-day issues I had, and to encourage me to step out of comfort zones I had created my entire life.

I lost 75 pounds and have learned how to live a healthy lifestyle and maintain that weight loss.

I have also discovered a "new me".  I have become active, started running, ran my first 5K, alone, not knowing anyone else running the event.  I now run several times a week, have run many 5K's, my first half marathon in Atlantic City last year, the Bucks County Half-Marathon in Tyler State Park (hills), the Broad Street Run in Philadelphia (awesome!), and I am now training for my first full marathon in November.

I have discovered a self-confidence in myself that I never ever had.

Blogging and my Facebook are a big part of my daily routine.  I admit it, they ARE my Comfort Zone.  I still go to my weekly Weight Watchers meeting, but for me, I always felt that blogging and Facebook helped keep me on track.  But I am wondering now, do I now have the self-confidence and the tools that I need to actually get through a day or two without blogging, without my Facebook, can I do it on my own.

This whole journey for me has been about stepping out of my comfort zone.  In fact, the first step out of my comfort zone was the night I went back to Weight Watchers.  Walking into the gym the first time, stepping out of my comfort zone.  Putting on a bathing suit and getting in a pool in public, stepping out of my comfort zone.  Going for a run that first day, stepping out of my comfort zone.

I went to a very interesting seminar last night that got me to thinking, am I using the internet world as a crutch?  Is it really something "I have to have" or is it just an excuse?  Can I go without it and still be able to make the right choices and live that healthy lifestyle?  Would I have been able to lost the weight and keep it off 20 years ago before the internet?

And is it getting in the way at all of me being productive in other aspects of my life?  I have realized that during the day, maybe I do check my email too much, check for Facebook messages too much, check to see what's going on with my favorite blogs too much, a lot of times in the middle of working on an important job.  Maybe it's time to put limits on my own internet usage and see if I am more productive.  There are things "on my list" that I never seem to get time to do.  One thing that's definitely in need of attention is organizing my office and getting my filing done, cleaning out my closet!

So here's my idea.  I am going to pick a day during the week and disconnect.  I also plan to do this for a weekend.   Now, I can't completely become disconnected, because I do get emails about jobs I'm working on and work that is coming in, and Lord knows I don't want to miss the opportunity to get work, but I am going to test this out first with a day, disconnect from my blog and Facebook for 24 hours.  Can I survive?  Can I still make good choices without the constant reminders I get by blogging and reading on Facebook what healthy choices others are making?  Am I truly a new person, strong enough to do this without my "internet crutch"?

I think I am.  I think that I am strong enough to be able to make changes in my daily routine and find a way to get my work done, handle my personal affairs, AND be able to enjoy my blogging and internet use as well.

So I will let you know what day I choose and will post about my results.  I am anxious to test this out and see what happens.