January 25, 2012

Deserved Hunger

It’s 11:07 a.m. (I’m just taking a break! I’m working!) and I’m ravenous.  In a good way.  Because this morning, my Sparkly Soul pink headband and I took a trip to the gym.  And it hurt.  So.  Good.  45 mins on the elliptical.  I will admit, I was afraid of the elliptical.  Afraid of getting back on and pushing myself.  But it feels so wonderful having done it.  I may have regained an ungodly amount of  some weight, but I am still a workout beast inside.  I am capable of all things if I put my mind to it, and if I trust my abilities.

So I feel deserving of my hunger, because I know I put myself through a pretty intense (for me, at this point) workout this morning.  Hungry never felt so good.

 

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January 23, 2012

Beauty, Courage, Miracle, Amazing

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January 18, 2012

Give it 12 Weeks

Saw this on Pinterest (are you on Pinterest?  You should be!).

I love the message.  But I’m never going to look like that.  If I did, well that would be just wonderful.  And I would take my flying car to the gym, too.  So I decided to recreate to motivate ME.

12 weeks.  I’ve got 12 weeks.

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January 4, 2012

Goals Should Be:

From Women’s Health Mag:

1. Specific
Set out to just “be healthy” and you’re selling yourself short. Vague goals give people too much leeway and can lower their motivation to push themselves, says Powell. So be precise and say, for example, that you want to lower your body fat by 5 percent or be able to run a 10-K.

2. Measurable
You should be able to gauge and quantify your progress, both in the short-term and long-term. Set micro (weekly) and macro (monthly) goals to keep yourself on track.

3. Attainable
If you can barely find 20 free minutes in your day, don’t set yourself up for failure by saying you’ll run for 50 minutes five days a week.

4. Realistic
Even with the smartest plan and the strongest determination, your body can only handle so much. Sure, fast weight loss is possible, but if you drop more than about a pound and a half a week, you’re most likely looking at muscle and water loss—not fat.

5. Time-sensitive
Deadlines create a sense of urgency and make your goal a priority, says Powell. Give yourself a year to drop 75 to 100 pounds, four to six months to train for a marathon (if you’re a new runner), and two months to lose 10 percent to 12 percent of your body fat.

Therefore:

  1. Lose 30 pounds

  2. 17 weeks @ 1.75 pounds per week = 30 pounds! Micro: 15 pounds by March 1 (half-way point)

  3. Exercise 4 days per week/Follow PointsPlus 2012 CLOSELY Sun-Friday and allow myself flexibility on Saturdays

  4. Yes – would like to say 50, but know that would mean losing 12 and a half pounds a month for the next 4 months.

  5. By May 1, 2012

I have been seeing my doctor (who I adore if you are looking for one in NoVa) fairly regularly for the past few years.  Beginning with my thyroid condition and continuing with blood pressure concerns following my Dad’s open heart surgery, I’ve been into her office regularly almost every 6 weeks for the last two years.  FINALLY (no thanks to my weight re-gain) my blood pressure is stable, as is my thyroid.  So I don’t have to see Dr. Handler again until May 1, 2012.  That’s a HUGE gap for me at this point.  My goal is to lose weight, hopefully 30 pounds, by that appointment.  I know my doctor would be extremely pleased with that, as would I.  Like I said above, I’d love to say I’ll lose 50 pounds by then, but I have to be reasonable.  The weight didn’t melt on, it won’t melt off, and certainly not as quickly as “the last time.”  But I am confident that I can make some very powerful strides in the right direction by then!

Do your goals follow this outline?

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January 3, 2012

New Year, New Motivation, New Desires

I choose to believe that 2012 will not mark the end of days, though I’m sure the Mayans are all really nice people.  I very much enjoyed visiting their home last February.

While I do not believe we are doomed, I do believe in living 2012, and every year and every day to the fullest.  Not as though it were my last, because that is far too morbid, but too their full potential.  I love Hallmark’s most recent campaign, “Life is a special occasion.” And therefore, I think this year should be treated as such.  I’ve already told you about exciting family news, which means another summer full of events (and I was JUST saying, I didn’t know when I’d be back in Vermont next!).  And I’ve already shared my goals for the coming year. But already, just three days into the new year, I’m finding myself with new motivation and new desires.

New motivation wise, well, for one, my cousin’s wedding.  It’s absolutely the bride’s day, but I want to treasure the memories (pictures!) from her big day as much as I treasure those from mine, and I don’t want to dislike the way I look.  Plus, I anticipate needing to fit into a bridesmaids dress (for the first time ever in my soon to be 31 years!).  And then of course there is the motivation  I’ve been sharing for a while, a mini-Gpie.

So I’ve got to get to work. Lifelong healthy, a wedding, and preparing my body for a baby – ready, set, go!

While I’m on the topic, can I tell you something else I’d REALLY like? One of these (or two, if Hubs would let me).

That’s right, let’s pile it on.  I want a baby.  And a dog.  A German Short-haired Pointer to be exact. I’m really not picky on the breed of baby ;)

The issue?  1090 sq. feet here a) doesn’t allow pets and 2) doesn’t provide a TON of space for a baby.

Which has me toying with the idea of moving back here.

Oh sweet baby Jesus.  I know that’s what you’re thinking.  It’s the conflict that lives inside me too.  We aren’t in a position to buy ANOTHER home, so our choices right now are condo (close to work, close to DC, perfect for 2) or townhouse (far from work, far from city, LOTS more space and dogs allowed). I should really re-read my post titled “I Blame Fairfax,” in which I state “…Fairfax has sucked the life out of me.” But, I’m wondering if I’ve grown, or changed since April 2009.  I’m wondering if 2012 Gwen can make Fairfax a real home.  (Also doesn’t hurt that our very close friends just bought a house down the road from the townhouse so I wouldn’t feel “alone.”).

Why do adult decisions have to be so hard?

2012, you’re coming on fast and furious.  And I really wouldn’t have it any other way.  Also, Gwen/Self, girl, you’re achangin.

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