My Journey to Better Health
For the next several months I will be embarking on a journey to experience better health. My steady weight gain over the past several years has created several issues–back pain, poor sleep, heartburn, mild depression, lack of energy, tight pants–that could be remedied by maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise. If I could sum up my goal in a few words, it would be these:
Strong and Healthy
I appreciate looking fit, but more than that I desire to be a person who is strong, agile, flexible, and energetic, well into my later years. Now is the time to set the precedent for how I will think about my health in my 40s, 50s and beyond.
GOALS
By October 1, 2016
- Lose 45 lbs (230 to 185)
- Lower BMI by 6 (31 to 25)
BLOG
Why I’m Posting Daily Content For 30 Days
Starting today I'm going to challenge myself to post one piece of content on at least 5 platforms every day for 30 days. Now let me tell you about the why, the what, and the how... I've struggled lately to post content consistently for a couple of reasons: First, I...
A Simple Formula to Turn Failure into Fuel for Success
Meditate. Attempt. Document. Fail. Understand. Evaluate. Learn Even though I accepted the idea that failure is essential to success a long time ago, I’ve had a lot more practice living as though failure was a curse rather than a gift. For years I have built old habits...
Thoughts On Staying Disciplined On Sabbatical With a Family
I recently participated in a conversation about staying disciplined with your routine while on vacation or sabbatical, and how practical it is to do so when you have kids. Most people take their vacation as a chance to loosen the reigns on their routines and good...
I Couldn’t Keep Up
Yes, that's me over there lying on the floor, gasping for air, sweating profusely. Yes, that's a workout designed for women. Is this a surprise though? Women are really tough. Their bodies can carry babies for nine months and then give birth to them. My body can't do...
I Earned Something Today
This is a "Reset Week." So far, so good. Here's what I was able to check off today: Exercise (Did an Insanity workout) Diet (Clean eating all day) Vitamins (Took em) Drinking Plenty of Water (almost 3 liters) Sleep (77%) Breathing Meditation (5 minutes. Fell asleep)...
Motivation.
I could give you a long list of reasons why I am motivated to be healthy. At the top of the list are the names of the people who are closest to my heart.
TRACKING
%
% of Weight Goal
%
% of BMI Goal
- Jan 10: 230lbs, 31 BMI
- Jan 17: 227lbs, 31 BMI
- Jan 24: 224lbs, 31 BMI (Birthday weekend)
- Jan 31: 223lbs, 31 BMI (Birthday weekend)
- Feb 7: 224lbs, 31BMI (Weekend on the road/at the in-law’s)
- Feb 14: 221lbs, 31BMI (Birthday weekend. Seriously, how many birthdays are there?)
- Feb 21: 221lbs, 31 BMI
- Feb 28: 218lbs, 31 BMI
- Mar 6:
- Mar 13:
- Mar 20:
- Mar 27:
- Apr 3:
- Apr 10:
- Apr 17:
- Apr 24:
- May 1:
- May 8:
- May 15:
- May 22:
- May 29:
- Jun 5:
- Jun 12:
- Jun 19:
- Jun 26:
- Jul 3:
- Jul 10:
- Jul 17:
- Jul 24:
- Jul 31:
- Aug 7:
- Aug 14:
- Aug 21:
- Aug 28:
- Sep 4:
- Sep 11:
- Sep 18:
- Sep 25:
- Oct 1: 185lbs (or less), 25 BMI
STRATEGY
Diet:
- Smaller portions for each meal (will probably track calories in MyFitnessPal app)
- Veggies for each meal (smoothie, juicing, 75% veggies for dinner)
- Fruits and veggies for snacks
- Take daily vitamins
- Drink lots of water
Saying no to:
- Refined sugars or processed food except for date nights
- Soda
- Bad carbs
- Alcohol
Exercise:
- Run 3 days per week (at least 9 miles)
- 1 interval workout per week (or on days it’s too cold/rainy to run outside)
*Anaerobic exercise is actually best for my body type, but I can’t stand it. I much prefer running, but on the days I can’t run, the interval workout will serve my goals well - 5 day/week Stretching/Strength regimen
Reset Week
At the beginning of each month I will do a reset week where I focus on each of my health goals intentionally. Other weeks I’ll still be doing the same things, but reset weeks will give me a boost if I happen to drift off course. I will be focusing on the following:
- Exercise (Strength and Cardio)
- Diet
- Vitamins
- Drinking Plenty of Water
- Sleep
- Breathing Meditation
- Journaling (Reflection and Gratitude)