February Health and Fitness Goals

Ooops... where did yesterday go?  Better late than never, I guess, or pick your platitude of choice.  Here goes:

1) Complete a 45 min cardio workout a minimum of three days per week.


So, since I didn't manage to make this one last month, I figured there was no reason to build on no foundation.  So we're sticking with the basics.

2) Eat at least two servings of fruit a day.


I like fruits and vegetables.  I eat a lot of fruits and vegetables.  At least, I think I do.  The more I start paying attention, the more I realize that, even though I like and sometimes prefer vegetables and fruits, it's easy to go through a whole day eating basically none, especially in winter.  In summer, I hardly think about fruit consumption; the weekly farmer's market provides too much temptation!  But in the winter, I get bored of apples and clementines.  So we're starting with fruit.   Oh, and don't forget the water drinking; that isn't going to stop now that we've moved on to month two.

January Health and Fitness Update

How in the world have we reached the end of January?  I'm still waiting for 2012 to begin, and here we're already 1/12 of the way finished.   Yikes!

So how did I do with my health and fitness goals this month?  Middling, at best, to be honest (which I have to be, since what's the point otherwise?).  Let's take a more specific look:

1) Complete a 45 minute cardio workout at least 3 times a week.


Yup, this was a very good goal.  Definitely didn't make it, though.  Started the month off with a sinus infection and allowed that to be an excuse for much longer than strictly needed.  I did learn some things, however, which is the point.  First, it's much easier to get a workout in on the weekends, because Stan and I often hike or do things together.  So apparently I need a buddy.  Second, if I haven't worked out by 10 a.m., I am just plain not going to do it.  Once the day gets rolling, there are too many excuses.  Therefore, I need to get my workout out of the way first thing.

I'm taking these lessons into February, where I hope I can show improvement.

2) Drink at least 6 (8 oz) glasses of water a day.


I did much better here for someone who drinks basically nothing at all (except wine - I'm very good at that).  21/31 days I managed to drink all six of my glasses, with only minimal whining and complaining. However, and here's the really impressive thing, I managed to drink SOME water every single day.  I'm ordering - and actually drinking - more water out at restaurants, and basically paying more attention all the way around.

So while perfection wasn't achieved, I'm feeling much more mindful about my fluid consumption and optimistic about my continued success drinking water.  I make no promises about the whining, though!

Look for my February goals tomorrow!

January Health and Fitness Goals

Happy New Year, everyone!

It feels productive to be posting on January 1.  It feels productive to be doing pretty much anything on a Sunday morning, especially a holiday morning.

Without further ado, my health and fitness goals for the month of January...

1) Complete a 45 minute cardio workout at least 3 times a week.

I'm blithely ignoring the fact that this should already be happening, because that way lies self-recrimination and perceived failure.  Instead, I'm reaffirming that, as a small step in the correct direction, what a wonderful habit I'll have established in the next 31 days.  And hey, I have a free gym with this apartment.  Might as well use it before we find that dream house!

2) Drink at least 6 (8 oz) glasses of water each day.

I'm horrible about drinking water.  Or anything, really.  I'm sure I spend my life partially dehydrated.  However, every time I commit to drinking more water, it also means I commit to spending more time running to the loo.  I've heard your body adjusts, but when your body is expected in a classroom to deter mayhem, you don't always have time for adjustments ;-)  But now I do.  So.  Water.  In January.  Lots of it.  At least, lots for me.

2012 Resolution #3 - Set (and measure!) Monthly Health and Fitness Goals

Um, isn't this everyone's New Year's Resolution? Lose weight.  Eat more healthy foods.  Get in shape.

Well, that's all well and good, but I've been trying to lose 10 pounds for about 10 years now, and all I have to show for it are the extra 8 pounds I've put on since the wedding.  (I'm not fat, I'm fluffy.)

However, with the passing of my grandfather and the advent of my 30th birthday this past year, I have decided that 2012 is about genes, not jeans.  Yes, it'd be fab to fit in a size four (um, I'm not really sure what that even looks like), but I'd so much rather live 89 HEALTHY years being able to enjoy the activities I choose.  So health and fitness goals it is.

In the name of accountability, I have decided that I will choose 1-2 monthly goals to concentrate on for each month of 2012.  These are going to be small, daily changes in my lifestyle that will hopefully create a long-lasting impact for my health and well-being.  Because, let's face it, I'm not giving up chocolate for the rest of my life.  I'm probably not even giving up chocolate for the rest of the day.

The challenge (besides, you know, actually achieving a goal) will be that these are cumulative goals.  Since the purpose of each of these goals is to create a lasting habit, each month will (hopefully) build on the ones that come before.  It's all about grace around here, though, so if I don't achieve a monthly goal, I'll have to figure out what went wrong and tackle it again.

Please feel free to chime in with advice and encouragement.  I have a feeling I'm going to need it.