Out of the Fog

[sclark]

So, I'm back.  I took a little break there...again.  Life has a way of getting in the way sometimes.  There just doesn't seem ot be enough time in the day to do all that I want.

Most recently I have been working on a healthier lifestyle.  It was in full force back in mid-April and I have lost 27 pounds since then.  I'm happy with the results, but I know I can do MUCH more.  I've been using Twitter as a tool for research and inspiration.  I have found a wonderful fit blogging community online and they have provided much inspiration and encouragement as I'm beginning to get to know some of them.  While all of this is great, I've been in a state of inactivity.  I'm collecting recipes, noting techniques, acquiring fitness equipment (a treadmill from a friend who moved back to Boston, an exercise ball & yoga mat from a co-worker for helping out with a fitness challenge at work, and an elliptical machine and resistance bands - coming soon - form points received at work.  My house is going to be a veritable gym!), and having my heart get full from all the amazing stories of men and women out there who have lost weight, battled an injury, or who find joy in the everyday of living healthy.  So I'm all set.  Pencils ready.  Fresh notebook.  Yet, here I am.  the most I do these days is just log my food and minimal exercise in my LoseIt app. I'm a social person and I need people to help me along - so much for being a self-starter when it comes to my life.

I haven't been able to really carve out time during the day or on weekends really to solicit an exercise partner, so I'm going virtual.  I happened upon @healthyhaley at http://freshwithaubergine.wordpress.com/.  She has started a Whole Life Challenge.  It's setting health/fitness goals, trying to stick to them, adding new ones along the way, recording your progress, and hoping adopting a healthy lifestyle that comes without thinking.  So, on my way into work I was thinking about my goals.  I came up with a few:

• Eating breakfast everyday
• Taking the stairs at work
• Working out at least 3 times a week for 30 minutes (mainly my DVDs or Comcast's ExcerciseTV)
• Remember to drink, drink, drink water everyday

Since this was my first day I have succeeded on the stairs at work, the water, and the breakfast.  The exercising will take a little more effort.  It's not that I need to leave my house, at the moment I don't have the $$ for a gym, there is no one to watch Sonja, & the gyms that do offer sitting don't offer it by the time I'd be able to make it there.  Time will be more of an issue once school starts and our homework schedule starts up again.  Since working out after work is usually out (I can still try to walk a mile at work everyday though...once my new projects have stabilized) I have the option to workout before work.  This requires me to bust my butt in the office and only stay online to work for an hour so I can get to bed at a decent time.  Since I usually get up between 6-6:30 that means I'd have to be up between 5:30-6 every morning.  I guess I should add another goal:

• Getting to bed by 10PM 3 nights a week.

See how easy the excuses came to not workout?!!?!  Working out, outside of the weekends (usually) requires some pre-planning.

I know significant weight loss and more energy is possible for me.  I just need to find how to fit it all in.  Baby steps here.  Let's see if I can last this week.  It will be hard since I'll be going on vacation Friday, but from today (8/17) to next Tuesday (8/24) I'll try to stick to it.

I won't be recording my meals here since I do that on LoseIt, but i will record a successful day of no mindless snacking, better decision making, and trying new foods.  I don't have the time to write everyday, but i will check in at least once a week - and if I'm brave enough I'll even start posting my weight.  EEK!  I have to start somewhere...my life isn't going to get any easier, so just like I've carved time for other things I now need to start carving out time for me.