Trying Something New

Welcome to my first blog post. If you're reading this, you have too much time on your hands.

I have read a few blogs on SparkPeople, and I've noticed that many people use this space as a personal journal that happens to be public. As a professional writer, I know that content is king and I should write what people want to read. However, this blog serves a different purpose: to reflect and learn from mistakes, successes, and the tough journey that is losing weight.

I plan most of my meals and tack my food, but I fear that it's not enough. Which is why I decided to blog about it. Hopefully the reflection on what I do right, what I do wrong, and what I'm learning will help me a year from now when I hit yet another wall.

So, here goes nothing.

::Goals:;
SPARKGUY told us in The Spark that goals should be at the forefront of our minds. My computer's desktop has my vision collage so I see motivational photos and words every time I'm on my home laptop. I also have three goals, which are:

1. Run a 5K - I can't run. No, really. I. Cannot. Run. Physically, yes I can run and I am grateful for legs that work. But since my elementary days, a quarter mile is a huge feat for me and I have yet to run it all the way. 3.1 miles is a lot to walk, and my first goal is to run a mile straight. I will cry on that day.

2. Lose 50 pounds - According to the charts, I am more than 100 pounds overweight. I don't know if I will ever see under 175, but if I can get there, I will have accomplished something greater than getting my master's degree.

3. Tropical New Years - My best friend and I have promised each other that we will spend New Years 2012-2013 somewhere warm and tropical, like the Bahamas or Mexico. We haven't decided were we're going, exactly (which makes it hard to save), but it's REAL motivation to help me lose 50 pounds this year, or, roughly, 1 pound per week.

Some other goals I have for this year and beyond are:
1. Drink more water.
2. Eat more fruits and veggies.
3. Get up when the alarm goes off (aka get better sleep).
4. Exercise 4-5 times a week consistently.
5. Be "that" person -- the healthy, HOT one you love to hate but secretly look up to.

::Nutrition::
Mostly carbs, with a little fish, which was not as tasty as I was expecting. I must have been craving them, as I've had a pretty good Irish red beer and too much delicious custard from Goodberrys.

::Exercise::
Nothing today, but I plan on doing 10-15 minutes of calisthenics (pushups, sit-ups, leg lifts, etc.). I am on a 10-minute-per-day streak. I started at the beginning of the year with the January Jumpstart Challenge, got 5 days in and then travelled, then did 11 days, and one day I just didn't feel like it, so I broke my streak. I'm now on day 3 of attempt #3. I WILL do something tonight! I hope to get to 30 days so I can form a habit. I'm also posting my progress on my door at work, which is extra incentive to not break the streak.

::Mental Health::
Work is challenging, but wrongly so. The actual work is easy, but the people are trying my last nerves. Watching Grey's Anatomy reruns helps me realize that my job is so insignificant as the only thing remotely important is other people's training records when it comes to the Department of Transportation and other government agencies (yes, I'm yawning too).

::Motivation::
None whatsoever right now. I guess it's just one of those days.

That's it for now. I can't seem to think of anything else. Thanks for reading!