The last month has been really stressful; we found out on Christmas Eve that my mother has to have major surgery and I just finished up two months of working on graduate school applications. And before that the year 2012 was a bit of a roller coaster; I had a running injury that was the cause of stress and weight gain, I coordinated our annual conference at work for the first time (again, stress and weight gain), I signed up for a 1/2 marathon before I was fully healed from aforementioned running injury, I went through multiple waves of career crises, studied for and took the GRE and began the grueling grad school application process over Thanksgiving weekend. As a result, the invigorating weight loss that started in March 2010 (at a high of about 210) and culminated in my first bikini the following summer and a low of 167lbs, has largely been reversed. That's not to say that in my recent weight gain I've lost everything that came with the weight loss. In the last three years I've become a runner, I discovered a connection to yoga, the food I eat is less processed, I am an avid juicer and I make a concerted effort to stay hydrated. All wonderful life improvements that I am proud of myself for making. But, it is clear that mostly good eating (I'm a sucker for cookies and cakes), almost, sort of consistent exercise (an especially significant challenge since ringing in the new year), intending to go to yoga (but not actually having gone for at least two months), and juicing when I remember to make times for it... and have all the ingredients are not the keys for success. At least not for me.
So, starting today I am going to make a more concerted effort to live well. I am going to eat foods that nourish my body, I am going to do engage in the physical activities that make me feel and look good, I am going to pamper myself in small ways that make a big difference, I am going to embrace my power and potential and I am going to honor my commitments to myself. Whew. That is a lot, which is why I am giving myself 90 days to get it right. Not that I expect to accomplish everything listed in 90 days, but I do want to begin to make it a practice. My plan is to practice living well for the next three months with the hope that by the end some of these things will become hard wired. Many of these goals are things I expect to be working on for the rest of my life; they will grow and shift as I grow and shift. Standing at what feels like a crossroads between the life I want and the life I will end up with if I am not careful, I am choosing to take control and live with intention.
Here are some specific goals:
- Run at least twice a week. Every week.
- Do yoga at least twice a week. Every week.
- Create a gym-less strength training routine.
- Create a space for exercise at home.
- Join a less expensive gym.
- Try the yoga studio around the corner.
- Treat myself to a pedicure once a month.
- Try a massage. For real. Just do it.
- Figure out why my left hip is bothering me. Go see your physical therapist.
- Get that freaking desk out of your apartment.
- Start saving money for later this year.
- Skype with your mother.
- Keep in better touch with your father and brothers.
- Create a yoga routine you feel comfortable doing at home.
- Go to bed at a more reasonable time.
- Enjoy the mornings.
- Dress for success. Dress to feel good. If not every day than 3.5 out of 5.
- Get your hair cut.
- Juice more, you like it.
- In fact, make time for juicing. In the mornings perhaps.
- Finish your jewelry project.
- Groom the cat.
- Look into Fresh Direct again. (See goal re: juicing)
- Decide on 1/2 marathon.
- Love your life.
- Do a better job of showing your love.
- Stop being afraid of being hokey. The only one judging you is you and that's stupid.
- Embrace the things that make you happy.
- Go dancing. You like dancing!
- Go to a dance class. You're only 1/2 as bad as you think. Okay, maybe 75% but do it anyway.
- Do more with your friends.
- Go to bed. Now.
