Oops! ... and goals...

As you can see from the lack of posts since February, this blog ended up being a big failure.  I lost interest and well, wasn't really dieting for the last several months.  However, it's time to begin anew.  Here are my motivators...

• I just turned 36 and I really should get healthy...
• My best friend is getting married in a year and I'm in the wedding.
• I'm taking a trip next summer to visit old high school friends AND go to a book conference.
• I've also been really bad about getting in any exercise and just falling back on fast food for my meals.  And it is definitely noticeable in the fit of my jeans.

*sigh*  All this leads me to get back on track.

We'll see about getting some measurements taken, but my weight as of this morning is 294.6... which is obviously creeped up.  And that 300 mark is looming and I NEVER want to be there again.

My goals for the new week 1:

• Lose 2 pounds
• Eat out no more than 2x
• Get in 3 workouts.  These won't be too elaborate since I'm seriously out of shape, but I just need to get moving.

I'll check in next Monday to see how it went...

Timelines

Day 5 is to make a realistic timeline to stay on track.  According to the calendar, deadlines turn wishes into goals.  Give yourself adequate time to complete each action step and choose a date when you hope to reach your overall goal.

Well, Bloomsday is May 6th... so obviously, that's my deadline for that one.  It's a 7 mile walk and I have about 4 months to get to that point.  So, I think my goals will look something like:

1. Walk 1 mile easily by the end of January.
2. Walk 2 miles by the end of February.
3. Walk 3.5 miles with easy hills by the end of March.
4. Walk 5 miles with one big hill by the end of April.

If I can get 5 miles with hills by end of April, Bloomsday should be a piece of cake.  Now to plot out a walking route.  lol

My other goal is to lose 50 pounds in the year.  That's about 1 pound a week, which is totally doable.  My friend is having a huge birthday party in June and I'd like to be a dress size or two lower by that point, so I've got a goal of 25 pounds lost by June 1.  Ideally, I'll lose at least 5 pounds a month and make it 60 by years end...

Are these realistic?

And so we begin...

This is not a New Years Resolution.  It HAS to be a life change.  I recently was put on blood pressure medicine and have gotten even further out of shape.  The weight I'd lost in past years has found it's way back and I've slipped into some bad habits again.  So it's time to make a change.

I'm using Spark People's calendar of 31 Days to Unbreakable Resolutions to get me started.  Day 1 and 2 are about setting goals and making them specific, positive and achievable.

My goals:

• Lose 50 pounds
• Excerise 2x a week
• Walk Bloomsday

If I can achieve goals 2 and 3, number 1 should be a snap.

Day 3 is to post my goals in a place I'll see them.  I've put it on my fridge and computer.  :-o  Nothing like a constant reminder.

Day 4 is to develop an action place.  So my plan:

• Create a weekly menu and STICK to it.
• Limit eating out to once a week.
• Take a walk every weekend with my bestie
• Do those exercise DVDs that have been gathering dust.

I'm also participating in a biggest loser competition at work starting on January 13th and running for 12 weeks.  In this challenge, we are being asked to set weekly goals and if we don't meet them we'll be monitarily penalized.  What motivation!

I'm hoping to use this journal to record my weigh ins, measurements, eating and just thoughts in general.  Let's hope that I don't flake out after a couple weeks...