I've been thinking about goals

I've been thinking about goals and it seems to me that if my overall goal is to be healthy and active, perhaps my milestones should reflect that. Instead of having pounds lost be the measurement of my success, perhaps I need to set up goals that measure my activity.

So, since the experts say I shouldn't add activity in the first two weeks, perhaps I can focus on little things - like research and planning. I have been checking out what yoga classes are offered at my gym - and they have two that are labeled "Gentle Yoga" at times when I can make it. I think stretching and flexibility and balance would be an excellent first step toward being more active.

And, I am researching 5ks to do in the spring and summer. I know that I want to get walking, and then will do the C25k regimen (so that is 4 weeks to get comfortable walking and 8 weeks of the C25K plan - three months plus 1 more week). The earliest I can expect to do a 5 k would be March. Gotta look for some 5ks in the spring.

I also know that I would like to do another 1/2 marathon - perhaps the Seattle half that is on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, next year. The training plan for that is 16 weeks, so four months - which means I'd need to start that in June. And, I'd like to do the Kirkland 12 k's of Christmas with my friends - and dress up in funny costumes. If I've been on MF for a year and training for all these things, I think run/jogging in a costume would be a lovely way to celebrate. 

And HIKING - I used to love hiking. The one-ness with nature, the joys of the quiet and the serenity. I think I would like to do the Mt Pilchuck hike next summer. And, I'd love to do the Snow Mountain hike again.

I miss racing sailboats, too. The teamwork, the all body workout, the wind, elements, water, maximizing them all to our benefit... fantastic.

It is kind of like ordering that first box of Medifast meals and then having to wait for it to show up - this planning for adding activity. But perhaps, because I have to wait for it, it will be absolutely do-able and I will look forward to it. Because the first couple of weeks are going to be H A R D!

Hunh. Just like getting used to the taste of MF meals. This process over progress thing is kind of my biggest challenge. Can you tell?

Munchies, hunger, and a party

Yesterday, day 6, was hard. I was so hungry all day long. 5 minutes after an MF meal I would look at the clock to try to calculate when I could eat again. I had soups, and shakes, and my L&G and was still starving. I took a nap, and had one of my snacks and another shake. And then it was time for us to go to a Halloween party. It is one of our favorite parties, all our friends come out for it and it is super fun. But it is a potluck and most people do not bring healthy snacks. I knew I would be super challenged, so I looked at my husband and said, "Sorry hon, I know our costumes are a matched set, but I just don't think it would help me to go. It would be hard anyway, but on a day when I have the munchies - it would be Mission Impossible to stay on plan."

So, I stayed home. And had a salad, and a cup of tea, and eventually a brownie. I watched my beloved Giants win the third game, and Love Actually, and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close and got texts from all our friends who were missing me. I got companionship without the challenge. 

My dear husband went and came back with lots of stories of people asking about me but understanding my situation - rooting for me, in fact. And, he also shared that going as a Romney supporter without me as a Woman in a Big Bird Trapper Keeper was not the same. lol. 

Some choices seem hard but end up being the best for you. 

What choices have you had to make that ended up being super good?

Working long after I planned to be home

One of the biggest challenges, for me, is ending up in a situation where I am hungry and don't have time to get a meal that is healthy. This past year, I have often ended up working hours longer than I was originally scheduled to work or ended up rushing from one place to the next and so got something fast to eat. Sometimes, I was lucky and I had healthy leftovers from the previous night's dinner, but often, I ended up in a drive through or encouraging my husband to go ahead and order pizza, I'd have some when I got home.

Today, as I was about to leave for work, I thought, "Just in case, why don't I grab a couple of extra MF meals? I don't want to end up starved or beyond my 3 hour time period." I ended up staying 2 hours later at work than I had thought when I left the house, but the only thing that happened as a result was that I was 20 minutes late for my my L&G meal. I was able to grab and eat my MF meals when I needed to, and didn't end up tempted to eat the oodles of candy, ice cream sandwiches, brownies, etc that the lovely volunteers brought in when it was time for me to eat. 

So many times I have been derailed by ending up in this situation before. I am so glad to have better choices now.

Fast and convenient has new meaning now. ;)

The Beginning

I start down this path and try to remember it is a process. If I focus too much on the progress, I might get discouraged. But if I keep reminding myself that each meal, each glass of water, each day is another step toward my goal and to focus on understanding the process, the progress will happen. And then...

I look in the mirror and remember who I used to be, what I used to look like, how much energy I used to have and say, "when I get to goal..." And then... 

I remind myself not to focus on what will be but what is. That I am starting to take care of myself again. That I am starting to focus on me again. That it is a chance for me to reconnect with my body. And then...

I take a few breaths and remember that it is a journey, not a goal. That the journey is when I will rediscover all the things I love about me. That the journey is when I will practice healthy habits. That the journey is an opportunity to give myself permission to be where I am. That the journey is the point. Each glass of water, each meal and each day is the point and the goal.