Hey SparkBuddies!

I poured over all of the feedback I received on my blog for 2013 - thank you very much for taking the time to help! A recurring theme was that I had made it too complex and difficult to really be successful.... imagine that, overwrought grandiose goal setting is a tendency I have for sure! A couple of folks mentioned concerns over natural sweeteners too, and I totally agree. It should have said "limited natural sweeteners, like stevia, raw honey, or real maple syrup." I'm moving toward less sweet items in my diet, but I know from experience that cold turkey doesn't work for me so I'm making allowances to start out. Also, as Ducky pointed out, I didn't have rewards built in! That's a big miss! Anyway, here's the new plan. It's simplified, but my "best case" grandiose goals are still lurking in my head as the ideal if I can ever get there. Here goes:

Summary:

1. Nutrition - Track calories/carbs & strive to use them wisely.
a. Calories – 1200-1550
b. Carbs – 50-75
c. Freggies – 5+ on Average

2. Fitness - Take every opportunity to be active and keep it interesting!
a. 15 Minutes+ Every Day
b. Incorporate Cardio/Strength/Flex/HIIT

3. Accountability - Check in every day – with myself and my Spark Friends.
a. Track Food and Fitness EVERY DAY & Share Trackers.
b. Blog at least once a week.
c. Stay active on Spark Teams.

4. Adjust or adapt as necessary, but don’t give up!

Rewards:
• Every 30 Days of Solid Effort – 60 Minute Massage
• Milestones (Starting Weight – 185):
o 175 Pounds – Professional Pedicure
o 165 Pounds – Girls’ Spa Day Out
o 155 Pounds – Weekend Trip w/Hubby
o 145 Pounds – LASIK Eye Surgery
o 6 Months Maintenance – Tummy Tuck

I may well get to goal/maintenance and decide against the last two goals, but right now they sound like good ideas so we'll see how I feel when I get there! My son really did a number on my belly (think twin-size belly without the twin, due to very high levels of amniotic fluid), so I'd like to have it addressed at some point. I'm still weighing the risk vs. the reward, but I have plenty of time to think it over since that will be at least a year from now.

So, what do we think? Better?? :)

-Allison