Before Photo

A new year and a new me.  I just complete 50 minutes on the treadmill, nice and slow.  As I walked, I listened to a Jillian Michaels podcast.  I also began visualized myself running.  I have decided to do my best to take a photo each month.  I was doing a great job taking monthly photos in 2014.  I just wasn’t uploading them.  Unfortunately, my old phone completely died, without any backup or way to retrieve them, I lost all those photos.

I took a photo today and really looked at myself.  I now have this yucky spare tire.  This time last year I was at least 25 pounds lighter.  I am not going to beat up myself about it.  I know my journey and success to fat loss and a healthy weight is not going to be linear. I’ve been experimenting here and there with my eating habits.  My last experiment resulted in a weight gain.

 

Now, I’m back to a semi-vegetarian eating plan.  I have to admit that now that I have been lifting on a regular basis I am worried about not getting enough protein.  However, my body responds much better when I eliminate red meat and poultry from my diet.  I feel more energetic.  The podcast I listened to today was about the spirituality of food.  I am already one of those people who says grace before I eat.  I made a mental note to pay better attention to how I prepare and eat my food.  Am I truly grateful for the food I receive?  Do I understand how the  food I eat sustains me and gives me energy?  Which foods are good for me and the environment from a spiritual perspective?

I am looking forward to another year on this journey.  I can’t wait to see more muscle and less fat!

Happy New Year

2015! It’s a new year! 2014 was very good to me.  I completed my first 10K and I starting lifting on a consistent basis.  My goals for this year are to improve my running, continue lifting, eat clean, and drop some body fat.  Actually, one of my goals is to start running again.  I have not been running on a consistent basis since the Peachtree Road Race.   I also want to get back in the pool and work on my swimming.  So now I need to work these into SMART goals.

Running:  I will run 3 times a week.  I plan to complete a 5K in March/April, the Peachtree Road Race in July, and another 10K in September/October.  I will log my runs/walks on Daily Mile.

Lifting:  I will continue following a lifting plan.  Right now I am following JamieEason LiveFit program.  My focus is on form and building strength.  I will log my workouts on Body Space.

Nutrition:  I will eat healthy foods.  Planning and prepping my meals in advance works best for me.  This year I will work on maintain sustainable healthy eating habits.  I really like Jill Coleman’s approach to healthy eating.  I will use MyFitnessPal and my recovery app. 

Lose Body Fat:  The way I see it, my goal in this area will be achieved based on my success on my other goals – running, lifting, and healthy eating.  

Swimming – This goal is easy.  Sign up for swim lessons and get in the pool.  Practice, practice, practice!

I know I say it every year, but I want to purchase a bike… I admit I have a lot of fear about purchasing a bike.  I am worried about safety.  Just recently I read an article about a hit and run, and the cyclist was riding in the bike lane!  However, if I ever want to check triathlon off my fitness bucket list, I need to get a bike.  So, for now, I’ll stick to spin class.

I also plan to sign up for the health program at work.  Last year I made it to level 4 out of five levels.  I earned $300 off my insurance premium.  I could have made it to level 5 but I lost the pedometer and my HRM stopped working.  I held off  replacing them because I want to invest in a a different fitness tracker.   I was set to get the Fitbit Flex until I read about the Surge.  I am holding out for the release of the Surge because it can also serve as a GPS watch.  

Well, I'm ready for the new year.  I am, once again, hoping I will post regular updates on my blog.