week 1

while i went to bed thinking about this blog post-- i actually had weird baby dreams. i might need to rethink the metaphor i'm using as a comparison!?!?

none the less-- here is post one of my 40 week journey. regardless of the confusion-- it is a wonderful thought to think if committed something will be dramatically different in the same time it takes to create a little person---sans stretch marks, discomfort or traditional labor pains. i'll have my own "labor" pains as i know all change comes with moments of being uncomfortable.

so lets jump in. here's how it's going to work-- i'm going to map out some of my overall goals i hope to obtain at the end of these 9 months. each week i'm going to plan out the goals i have for the week that i feel will help me work towards my end goals at a pace i can maintain.

my patterns in life have shown someone who can jump in full forth but loses steam part way through the run. for this extended journey its time to maintain a healthy stride only speeding up when i can see the finish line.

so here goes-- i'm going to list my goals. part of this first post as with any new life, i'm only able to outline them at this time. however with SMART goals, it's important to define exactly what you hope to attain with a timeline. today you get the draft and at some point, i will define them so they are measurable, but for now without any further ado...

GOALS:
*manage my $/begin savings
what does this mean?
pay off all debt that's behind right now.  follow drafted plan. once debt is caught up, follow strict budget created last october. start with small savings, eventually have diverse savings. 2-5 years from now look at investing in stock.

*feel balanced with my health/eliminate as many "bad" food choices
what does this mean?
the first part of this goal has to do with losing some weight. (per usual) this time i'd like to lose an initial 5 lbs (easy right!) then focus on the second part of this goal. eating whole grains as much as possible. eventually stop purchasing chips! (this is a big one) (i didn't say never eat them again--just don't keep them in my house). continue my marcrobiotic education--focusing on feeling a yin/yan balance everyday. this goal is also about maintaining good sleep habits.

*go to the gym regularly
what does this mean?
stay fit! these first few weeks will be about going to the gym 2-3 times per week. once i'm committing to that, then i want to permanently work out (sometimes that can be outside) for at least 3 times per week. each workout should burn at a minimum 400-500 calories, which means on non gym days outdoor activities (walking, biking, hiking etc) should burn 400-500 calories. i will plan out my weeks to incorporate gym days.

*continue to reflect on my relationship
what does this mean?
my partner is an amazing man. he makes the world a better place to live in. each day i'm happier because he's a part of my life. (that's the simple version of how i feel about him, with him) this goal is simply to maintain an awareness of my role in this relationship. my commitment. and the work i will put into it. in respect to my private partner, i won't be talking much about this goal-- other than acknowledging that it is a part of my 40 week project- but will go beyond those 40 weeks and so it is vital that i'm open to learning and understanding the unique ways this grows.


and this week:

1. go to the gym 3 times, most likely:  monday, wednesday (am) thursday (pm)
2. i will go to bed before or at 11:30pm 3-4 days out of the week
3. i will bring my checkbook to work and set up my direct deposit savings
4. i will call any past due bills
5. i will eat brown rice 4 days this week for a meal (i add stuff to it)
6. i will eat oatmeal for breakfast 3-4 days this week


see you next week.

false start

justin was supposed to start the first entry since unlike his partner in fitness crime, has actually stepped into the gym this past week. much more than my visualization of stepping into my gym.

here's what happened. i lost my job. thus somehow also losing my ability to regularly work out. makes zero sense since now i have more time to actually workout non stop and reach any stick figure goals i want to set.

so all in all with the holidays, i've probably been away from the gym for close to 2 months. last night during our "woes me with men and women" conversation, justin and i realized that both of us have partaken in the "two month no gyms program" which has left us feeling "more fluffy" than either of us enjoy. luckily i've only gained 4 lbs but def. notice the lack of nice toned muscles.

although justin played sports growing up and i danced, for me working out was a fairly new thing post college and feeling the "wow i really did gain the freshman 15 all four years" endeavor. i go back and forth between being mildly addicted to full out addict. i love myself the most when i'm using the gym very close to obsessively.

something about that post workout glow that increases your serotonin, makes your body look hotter and makes you feel good when you see that you actually have abs. i'm very proud of my four- (working towards a) six pack.

tonight i might hit my favorite gym class. zumba! which i actually have thought about becoming an instructor for. we shall see. i have to call and see if the class is still on and if so, tonight might be my relapse back into the world of addiction.

justin has a headstart and should update you soon on his week of return. maybe he'll tell you his story of gym addiction, maybe even in a less sarcastic way than i did. you may also notice that i have horrible grammar habits, i'm pretty sure justin will be better at that. i also think justin might be a nicer person than me at least more charming, so you'll probably fall in love with him and encourage his "journey" much more than mine. which i'm totally ok with. i'm pretty competitive so i'm sure any inkling of justin getting closer to his goals will help me push myself into high gears.

that being said i better get into the shower since slowly the day is slipping away and i can't continue to support my "eat whatever i want despite not working out" habits by sitting in bed.

happy new year. may you all find motivations to kick yourself into a healthier 2009.