Tag: MLgoals

Lent

Being raised Catholic Lent (the 40 days leading up to Easter) was a big deal and time to “give up things” and repent. As my religious affiliations have shifted over the years so has my perspective on Lent. 

I try to reframe Lent as 40 days to “reset” or create a new habit. I’ve given up sweets – more in a effort to detox from them in general as opposed to just withhold. However more so over the last few years I’ve done plank challenges, I’ve tried to not hit the snooze button (not very successful), etc. 

This year for Lent I am going to that the 40 days to “declutter” my life. So my goal is each day from now until Easter is to organize, clean, trash 1 “thing” (I use the word thing loosely – could be from closet, my wallet, my email, my FB friends, by piles of folders on my desk)  a day. 

1st Week of 2015 Check in

I’m feeling better already and it’s nice to get all of the bad food out of the house. My only treat I have is dark chocolate covered pretzel nibs which I have ½ serving as an evening snack. 

I’m trying to only have alcohol 1x a week or less and I don’t think it should be too hard. It’s helpful that T isn’t really a drinker and neither is my roommate so it’s very rare when I randomly drink weekday alcohol. I only had 2 beers this weekend and they were needed because it to 2 hours to go from Alexandria to U Street (long story that had me near meltdown). 

I’ve cooked a lot this week (but that’s pretty common for me) and I’ve been drinking water like whoa. 

I’m on track with my Body Pump workout calendar and I’m plotting out starting a ½ marathon training in Feb. I got a new Garmin for Christmas and due to the poppy weather I haven’t been able to try her out yet! I’m going to make it happen this week, even if it’s just 2 freezing miles! 

My finances are in pretty good shape and I have plans to get a new phone this week! 

5 years and counting

I started this blog to document my effort to lose weight and get healthy 5 year ago this week. My 2010 self wrote:

I’m committed to changing my diet and lifestyle this year.
I have been on a half ass diet for most of my adult life, that has yielded limited or temporary results.

Well I’m dedicated this year. I’m testing my self, my mind, my body and my soul.

Thank you 2010 self for having the courage to start. It was scary and uncertain, but the decision/resolution (in the truest sense of the word) has lead me to a life of health and happiness. The changes I started making 5 years ago still continues. Many come with successes, but there are still times I falter or fail.

As a starting point for 2015 I’m on a mission to lose the weight I let myself gain over the holidays. I have a few spring races on my radar and eager to see what big challenge I want to take on this year – an ultra team Ragnar? An Oly tri? a century ride? Perhaps all of those things and more! 

If you measure it, you will manage it.

Tom Rath

I had the opportunity to hear StrengthFinder author, Tom Rath, speak yesterday at my campus and I was part of a small group that had dinner with him after.

Tom does a lot of research for Gallup and his grandfather co-created the StrengthFinder assessment. Tom’s work mostly revolves around positive psychology and well being.

His new book is called “Eat, Move, Sleep” and talks about how small choices can lead to big changes. http://www.eatmovesleep.org/

During dinner Tom talked a bit about the surge of fitness trackers and how he thinks it’s a good thing. He said the quote above and it REALLY struck me. I mean hello my mantra for the past 4 years has been “measuring life.”

When weigh in, track my workouts, blog, etc I am always better off. Yesterday was a great reminder and motivator. 

FALL FOCUS

After some crazy work shenanigans and finally hitting the 6 week point of the semester passing I’ve been able to refocus on myself.

I got 3 runs in this week and committed to Body Pump.

I have a team relay on the 18th where I need to run 7 miles and then I need to fit in my bridesmaid dress on the 25th. And most importantly I don’t want to feel like a fat fuck in everyday life.

This crisp fall weather that came in this weekend is helping, especially after a pitiful run on Friday. I hope to get out and run 3x a week. AND I also need to get my bike tire fixed since it’s been flat since right after my Tri on 8/24 and I haven’t been on it since then. 

I can’t let work de-rail me and I don’t want to use T as an excuse, especially since we only see each other on Wednesdays during the week. I have other viable weekdays to workout. 

IN THE ZONE!

My Triathlon is this weekend! My Triathlon is this weekend!

I got my last major workout in yesterday. I biked 10.5 miles TO volleyball, playing my sand volleyball games and biked the 10.5 miles back. It was 3 hours of fitness fun.

After work today I’m going to get a 350m swim in and call it a day.

Tomorrow will be a rest day and then the race is bright and early Sunday.

Oh and can we talk about how I dropped a ton of weight since I weighed in on Wed morning. The scale read 183.0 this morning. After my NYC carbfest, I’ve tightened the belt this week and have been busting my ass. This is the lowest number I’ve seen in a while and I’m thrilled. I’m going to rest on Monday, but I want to stay in “training mode” incase I decide to do a Sept sprint triathlon (because I’m crazy).

I feel strong, I feel confident, I feel nervous, I feel excited, but most importantly I feel ready.