My 2015 Goals

A new start, a new beginning.

Well, sadly, with a new start, the old aches & pains just don't disappear.

I was wanting to wake up on January 1st with everything feeling great... but got out of bed & still felt my side pain... my low back aching... my knee throbbing...

I felt the body of a 43 yr old.  Boo.

But that doesn't stop me from making goals.

They may look different from everyone elses & they may seem simple to others, but it works for me...

So my goals for the year

ONE // MOVE!!!!

Just move. I want to say I'll run or do some amazing marathon, but who knows.  I don't want to set that goal too high where I'll be disappointed. If I do, high five for me... if I don't, that's OK.  I just want to move.  I've been laid up with this side pain (that won't freaking go away) & I miss working out.  I'm going to start again this weekend... & it will probably cause more side pain, but I'm hating letting my body turn into sludge.  Exactly what it feels like not moving.

So it may look like my P90X3 ... or my Dance Central on Xbox... & I do plan on getting some miles in.  Which, side note - I registered for a 5k & 10K in a few months.  Even if I have to walk them, I'm totally fine with that. I just want to MOVE.

TWO // SLEEP!!!!

I really need to get on this. My alarm goes off at 5:20am every day & I have to be out of my house by 6:20am... that's early.  I am at my desk about 2 hours before I even see the light of day.  I need sleep.  I keep reading about how good sleep is for you & your health in general.  I need to really jump on top of this.  Remember that I have a DVR & life won't end if I don't see my 10:00 show.  I may panic about it, but its not the end of the world.

THREE // GOOD FOOD!!!!!

I am really shocked on some days I realize I haven't had not one fruit or vegetable.  Not ONE!  That's amazing to me.  I wonder how many people make it through an entire day, if not week, of no good healthy food.  Being a vegetarian, & not eating any fruit or vegetable, then what the heck am I eating?  I am trying to be more aware of how much I get in a day.  That, for me, really means I need to make more smoothies.  I used to really be a smoothie/juicing queen.  Lots of greens.  Lots of stuff tucked into a gross looking cup.  I need to do that again.


FOUR // WATER!!!

however you have to get it in

I don't drink soft drinks. I used to be the queen of Diet Coke (I am so ashamed of that now) & usually drank water.  But I've turned to tea - which isn't the worst thing, but I need water.  Pure, simple H2O... not HBO... H20... again, the things it can do for your body. I've been trying to drink a cup as soon as I wake up with either lemon or apple cider vinegar.  Get the organs starting the day right... before I douse it with iced coffee.


FIVE // EAT LIKE A GREMLIN!!!

What? ... Remember you weren't supposed to feed them after midnight?  Well, I'm going to hold that same sort of theory.  I want nothing going into my mouth (except water) after 8:00pm.  Most people probably think, that's not hard... but I'm a night time snacker.  Even after dinner, I'm ready for desserts & anything I can grab & nom nom on. 


I also have a few more goals:

* Keep the step count up on my FitBit
* Go to the doctor about my knee (I know.. I know... finally!)
* Do more yoga - even if I don't like it. I need to stay flexible

This one is really big for me.... mediate.

I know that sounds weird.  But I really do want to learn the art of mediation a little bit. For me, that will be like a spiritual time. I am a Jesus loving gal.  I really do need the moments to take & clear my mind, find some peace.  I am a girl who is full of anxiety & who handles it horribly. I need to find a way to try & get it in check.  A awesome fitness buddy of mine had a stress induced heart attack this past year & if HE can have one, it really freaks me out & makes me want to get my own anxiety & stress in check.  I really am going to start researching more on this & what I need to do... even if it's 5 minutes a day...

I want to be zen...

basically like Gwyneth Paltrow

So what are some goals you have this 2015?

Call me the 10k Kid

So I talked last week about that goal I wanted to do...

move more...

Especially at work.

Stop being a slug at a desk.

Best Seinfeld episode!!!!

& I've been doing it.

Setting that alarm.  Moving every hour.  Making an effort to get blood pumping during the day instead of slowly dying Monday - Friday, 7-4

& look at this step count from my FitBit

Tell me you journal every move you make & every calorie you burn too
... I'm not the only OCD person out there... right?

YAHOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

one full week of over 10,000 steps on my FitBit

I am serious about this goal too.

You can ask my husband.  I'll be marching in place all day long, anywhere, everywhere.

The other night, I was at 6,500 steps at 8:00.... I stood & ran in place while we watched, "What would you do?"... until Ricky was like, "you're getting on my nerves now"... so I kept running up & down the hallway until I hit my 10,000 steps.

I'm anything, if not motivated right now.

& while I did weigh today & still stayed at the same stupid freaking dang weight....

REALLY?

... I'm going keep moving.

I want to see how many days in a row I can do this 10,000 thing.

5 minutes an hour

I am making a pact...right here... right now...

Pinky Promise

Something has to give because its just pitiful anymore. 

I'm sitting in my office & I think I've become a pro at that. Sitting.

I've done posts before on how dangerous sitting is, how unhealthy it is, but yet, I get to do it all day long still.  & I think its slowly killing me.

I see everyone getting FitBit goals of 10,000 steps a day & I love that... & drool in jealousy.

I think I even made that a goal before to try & start doing.

Except at the end of most days, my count is like 5,000 steps. 

That's stupid.

When I leave work, I do good if I get in 2,500 steps ... & that's at 4pm...

2,500 steps by 4 pm

That's even more stupid.

Then I do work out - don't get me wrong - I do!  But with my knee, its been strength training, or the PiYo - not a lot of steps happening.

So I go to bed getting in another 2,500 steps.

This really could be the GIF of my life

Stupid doesn't even count anymore...

So that pact I was talking about. 

I've now got my alarm to go off on my computer at work every hour on the hour.  Let me know another hour as passed, because in an office, its like a time sucker of a time warp.  You never know when an hour goes by. It can be in a blink... on a Friday, it can feel like an eternity...

But I'm going to get up every hour, & I'm going to stretch. I have a stretch sheet on my wall so I can go over & pick 2 stretches & do them...

& then I'm going to get in some steps.  Minimum 250 steps... hopefully more.  I'm thinking I'll march in place for 2 minutes.  But at least, that's adding in 2,000 steps to what I normally do by the time I leave.  

So 2 minutes marching in place, 1 minute of some sort of strength (I have weights at my desk, or push ups off my desk) & 2 minutes of stretching... 5 minutes an hour

This sounds doable... & gotta be better then nothing - right?

What I'm learning in all of this... work is stupid.

Small Goals

When I hear the world "Goal" right now, in the Soccer time of the World Cup, I want to say it more like,

GOOOOAAAAALLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But no, not that kind of goal.

I'm trying to make small changes lately.  Seeing if small changes me a difference.

What I'm trying lately....

1. Drink water like a fish...
... though I don't think that fish actually drink water.  I mean, we don't eat air... do we?

There's your deep thought of the day.

But I am a water drinker. I mean, I don't drink soft drinks so water is usually the other choice.  But I do drink a lot of tea, which I'm finding out is NOT as good as water.  It can dehydrate you, & actually have read where it doesn't allow for complete protein consumption. WHAT?  So yes, I'm trying to drink more pure 100% water.

My goal?  100 oz of water a day.  Lofty goal.  I've been doing great at getting it the past few days though...

... & that also means I am a peeing machine.  I have spent more time in the bathroom then at my desk lately.  Oh well - good reason to get me up & moving out of my office during the day.

Not so good when I get stuck in traffic on the 30 minute drive home.


2. Be a Gremlin...

80's shout out right here!  But remember in Gremlins where you shouldn't feed them after a certain time?  I'm going with the same theory.  I'm trying not to eat anything after 8:00.  I could snack all night long for some reason.  heck, I could snack all DAY long too... but I'm trying to put a limit on the day.  Nothing but water after 8... again, see if it makes a difference.

3. Step it up

I have really let my step count get down lately. I go to bed some nights & see my step count on my FitBit & I'm like, "I was basically a sloth today"
I would LOVE to be able to get to 15,000 steps a day... but I'll stick with 10,000 or above.  That's about 4-5 miles a day.  I REALLY have been slacking on this.  But my half marathon training starts next week & I expect the count will be soaring.

So - a few goals I'm going for... I'm anxious to see how my body reacts to them... if at all...


Any small goal I should think about doing?

1,000 Burpees... seriously???

I love looking around the fitness blogs.  Amazing women who run, train, watch their nutrition, take care of themselves...

& I've been noticing something going around lately.

A challenge!

Now I love a challenge. 

Let me clarify that.  I'm HORRIBLE in completing a challenge, but I like to at least attempt them.  I love things that are goal oriented.  I think most runners like that.  That's what the FINISH line is all about.

But the challenge going around in February - 1,000 Burpees by the end of February

1,000!!!!!

WHAT?

I hate Burpees.

Why?  Because they're hard.

I figured out the math too - its like 36 a day.  Oh my... my arms & back & legs are already groaning...

But a challenge isn't supposed to be easy - right?

& maybe I can break those 36 up ... a few in the morning - a few in the afternoon (Who doesn't love to do something embarrassing in the office?) - & a few more at night. 

I may take a stab at it.




& believe me, no one will be more surprised then me if I make the full 1,000

But hey, if I get in 500 (500? My head just swirled...) I'd be THRILLED...
I'll go for 1,000 but I'm not going to beat myself up.

Let's see how it goes.

Anyone else doing this?  Or are all of you sane?

2014 ... let's DO THIS!

2014... I'm holding it in my mind as a great year to come...

I will do a confession time, which I think should probably be a weekly post ... the areas I messed up in, the things to keep me in check... because goodness knows I'm not perfect.  I don't even want to make it even TRY to appear I'm perfect or I have it all together.  I'm just struggling through like most everyone else... I think most people struggle with the issues of health & fitness... I'm the queen of it.

Anywhoo... the holidays have really got to me.  I didn't do well AT ALL with the eating thing (still no meat, of course) but sugar?  Another story... A WHOLE other story.

My working out?  Non-existent.

Some fitness/health/nutrition blog I am, huh?

Again - I'm human...

I'm going into 2014 at the heaviest I have EVER been.. in my life...

yep... this is me...

that is so embarrassing to admit.

I look back at pictures of races from just a year ago & I can't believe how easily the weight piled up on me.

It just showed me how seriously I need to take my body, my health... my life...

the priorities I need to set...

So what am I looking forward to in 2014?  What are some fitness resolutions?

* More water... yes, its all I drink now, including some tea, but I drink more Sparkling Seltzer water - I need to drink more just PLAIN water... the enamel on my teeth will probably thank me (I heard too much seltzer water is tough on your teeth)

* I did it... I dropped a few hundred bucks to get the new T25 program... 25 minutes at least 5 times a week .. I can do that - right?  "I'm GOING to do that" is the answer :)



* Caring for my body... pushing it, but not harming it.  I've really done some damage with my back.  My knees are horrid right now... but I also know my weight is causing some of this.  My point?  I'm going to be careful of my body... be aware... take care of it.  It's gotta get me through a lot.

* I will continue to run... but I'm taking the pressure off of myself that I normally put on my brain, my body.  I have registered for a half marathon & need to start training for it, but also know that I have to get to a place in my body where I can safely train.  I'm telling you - my body is THAT out of shape now... if I don't make the half marathon, I'm OK with that...  I'm telling you, I'm getting priorities in check this 2014!

* At least 4 Fruits or veggies in a day... a must!  I'd like to do 4 of Each - 4 fruits, 4 veggies - that would be ideal...

Which leads me to my next one

* Follow the Happy herbivore food plan 5 days out of the week... that should ensure the above resolution.  A vegan diet plan is full of veggies & fruit.

* Take regular Probiotics & Fiber... the gut, I believe, is a serious source of where illness comes from.  Want to be in charge of it as much as I can....

* Staying POSITIVE.  I'm really bad at getting down on myself... focusing on the bad things that's happening - pain, weight gain.  I suffer from depression so the smallest thing gets me down & will hold me there.  I'm really going to try to focus on positive things... keep positive statements all around me - reminders that tomorrow is another day.

* This one will be tough... cut back on the Self Hate Talk.  I've gotten in such a bad place of calling myself "Disgusting"... that's also embarrassing... but I do it naturally now.  I look in a mirror & that's the word I use... not good... not good at all.... so I'm going to stop it.  This is probably one of the biggest things I need to do.  Remember that I listen to my words in my heart & they can hurt....

My word for the year is RENEW (you can click the link above to my home blog & read more about that)

That word fits even more in my fitness world...

I'm ready for 2014... how about you?

Any fitness resolutions you have?

Any I should have?

What are you goals for 2014?

December Challenges... Wan? or Rulk?

So yes, I posted about a Plank Challenge for December & I've not just talked about it & then said, "Screw that"... I started it...

& man oh man... I had no idea how bad my abs are!  Right now, on day 5, I'm up to 40 seconds & I shake like a building in an earthquake rating a 10.0 ... its crazy...

& I can't believe that I'm supposed to hold that pose for 5 minutes in just a few weeks.  I'm expecting some sort of Ab-Plank-Fairy to come drop pixie dust on my abs at night to give me strength to make it.

1 HOUR & 20 MINUTES?  & I'm complaining about 5 minutes?

The Plank Fairy must REALLY like him!

I also can't imagine what I'll do while in that position for 5 minutes... that's a long time to be in a position where your face is just a foot from the ground.

There's an idea....

I expect one of my dogs to just crawl on my back & take a short snooze...

I'm also keeping up with my #RWRunStreak... which for me, should be called #RWWalkStreak ... or #RWRulkStreak ... or #RWWanStreak ... I'm doing a mile every day (if not more) but not killing myself.  Don't get me wrong, I still sweat, & I still try to get a better time then the night before...

But I've really accepted & been easier on myself about not trying to be something I'm not.  I'm not going to be the fastest- never was, not planning on it at 41 years old... I'm not going to be this amazing story that makes people think, "Wow - I want to be like her"... I'm just trying to realize that I'm climbing up the hill (not over it yet.. right?) & I just want to stay as healthy as I can... keeping an eye on my back & knee & not make things more miserable.  So yes, sweat is involved... pain?  I don't want to make it worse... I want to be smart...

I'm going to just keep working at it in small steps.  Like I posted on Instagram the other day, small steps make for BIG distances if kept consistent.

Last night I even incorporated an old school VHS Pilates video.  I really want to tone up the core, & I know Pilates is about that... but my hips & quads were the ones aching in this work out...

I guess its all connected though...

& I know it all needs to be strengthened...

So I keep trying to do just that.

Anyone else doing any challenge in December?

How long can you hold a plank?

Which is better?  #RWWanStreak or #RWRulkStreak?

December is a PLANK Challenge...

I'm still around... falling apart...

My low back & knee are still just flared up & aching.  I don't know if its the cold air settling in these old bones, but its really put a hampering on me.

But I am determined to find other ways to try & keep this body strong - or as strong as possible.

I'm already signed up to do the Holiday challenge of 1 mile a day - run, walk, crawl - however to do it - for the rest of the year starting on Thanksgiving (which means lots of posts through the end of the year)

But I'm going to try something new I just saw on Facebook.

Facebook - the training tool of 2013 & the future :)

A Plank Challenge for 30 days...

 

here it is if anyone is interested in strengthening your core!

 

Day 1 - 20 seconds

Day 2 - 20 seconds

Day 3 - 30 seconds

Day 4 - 30 seconds

Day 5 - 40 seconds

Day 6 - REST

Day 7 - 45 seconds

Day 8 - 45 seconds

Day 9 - 60 seconds

Day 10 - 60 seconds

Day 11 - 60 seconds

Day 12 - 90 seconds

Day 13 - REST

Day 14 - 90 seconds

Day 15 - 90 seconds

Day 16 - 120 seconds

Day 17 - 120 seconds

Day 18 - 150 seconds

Day 19 - REST

Day 20 - 150 seconds

Day 21 - 150 seconds

Day 22 - 180 seconds

Day 23 - 180 seconds

Day 24 - 210 seconds

Day 25 - 210 seconds

Day 26 - REST

Day 27 - 240 seconds

Day 28 - 240 seconds

Day 29 - 270 seconds

Day 30 - AS LONG AS POSSIBLE

What I love about this challenge more then anything?

It ends on December 30 - MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!

Which I plan on making new goals on that day - the day I turn 42... wow... where does time go.

This is the perfect lead into turning another year older
As well as a perfect way to get these core muscles stronger during the holidays when the core could easily be bigger with lots of Christmas feasts & sweets...

Start at 20 seconds - go for 5 minutes by the end?  This should be interesting!

Going Streaking!!!

...no! ....

Not like that!

Joined a Facebook Page - "Thanksgiving to New Years Day Running Streak"

The point?  Sort of what I was wanting to do a few weeks back.

Try to get in 1 mile a day from Thanksgiving to New Years Day...

Beat off those Holiday pounds...

I think that's what got my Runner's Knee REALLY flared up... but I'm even going to walk more.  Not concentrate on running until I get some weight off & make it safer on my knee & back to do so....

But its a challenge.  A miles (or two... or three) walk a day can't hurt things...

especially when we're surrounded by holiday goodies everywhere

Failing at a goal...

Dang it... dang it... DANG IT!!

I had a goal... to try & move at least a mile every day or 10 minutes until the end of the year.

I lasted 16 days... even going on the treadmill at 10:00 on some nights to get it in...

Last night though, I didn't do it..

I failed...

I made it 16 days... a little over 2 weeks... & last night, it went down the toilet

I didn't even get take my work shoes & dress clothes off until 10:45 & I had to get ready for bed... while watching Scandal, of course...

I know excuses don't matter really.  I was busy - I was editing pictures - I was watching a puppy & cleaning up pee & potty training... & didn't even eat dinner until 9:30pm...my low back & runners knee were both hurting...

none of it matters... I failed...

very similar to me looking in the mirror last night at my disappointment in myself

In those instances, it feels like I gain an immediate 15 lbs too... how does that happen?

But I'm not perfect...

& I'm realizing that I've never gone 16 days in a row of continuous working out...

& now, I have a better goal - try & beat 16 days...

Its about picking yourself & trying again...

Biggest Loser is BACK!!!

I was so excited all day long...

BIGGEST LOSER came back on!

& I have to say, I was thrilled that they knocked it down to an hour instead of two.  It just felt dragged out & the commercials EVERY.TIME you were anxious to see someone's weight... COME ON!!!

But we are down to an hour - just enough time for the knitty-gritty!!!

I actually got inspired & put off my running until 8:00 so I could be on my treadmill & feel like the trainers were yelling at me to get off my butt... & to laugh at me if I puke all over myself...

My back really was hurting on the treadmill...
see?  Its cheap & free training to watch BL while working out

Why was I even more excited?

Because Ruben Studdard is on this season!!!

The teddy bear himself!!!

Though I will say, I was angry as all get out when Clay Aiken lost on American Idol.  You know I can't resist a red head :)

I wish I had a pen & paper on my treadmill though because there was some good stuff being laid out for these contestants to pick up...

 

"You have to have a WHY before you can have a HOW" - Jillian

Why are you wanting to be healthy?  Why are you motivated?  Why are you doing this?  ... once you get that, then you figure out HOW to do it... good stuff.

I loved when Dolvette was talking to Ruben & he was talking about how bad Ruben had gotten.
Anyone else remember when he lost weight & ran a half marathon?.... I do...

 

"You have to have a level of discipline to make changes" - Dolvette

Good stuff right there!!!

...this guy....

Of course, what makes the Biggest Loser are the personal stories...

everyone has one...

Stories of second chances this year... that guy above?  His wife died of cancer & he promised her he would get healthy to take care of his children.  When he took off his shirt for weigh in, he had a Chinese tattoo for "Warrior" on his heart... & when he lost 38 lbs... yes 38 lbs!!!... in one week, he hit it & teared up...

Yep, I can cry & run on my treadmill at the same time...

This year too, they have a "Trainer's Save"... each trainer can use it once a year.  The first team who lost was Jillian's team... & her biggest guy had the lowest percentage...

First week... & you have to leave... always the hardest...

But NO... BAM!!! Jillian uses her save from the start.. I LOVED IT!!!

She told the team, you now have to work harder - she has no save... but I loved she literally gave the guy a second chance...

I think motherhood has made Jillian a softy... in a still kick your butt way...

Anyone else watch it?

Who are you rooting for out of the gate?
Excited Ruben is on there?

For the record... I'm on day 8 of my challenge... keeping it up!  Before Bob Harper makes me cry....

Survived the cake

My twin nieces turned 9 years old yesterday...

I remember being there to hold them minutes after they were born... & now, here we are 9 years later.

We got to go celebrate & of course, that means Birthday Cake...

...again...

Yep, we just celebrated my mom's birthday with cake... & my grandson's birthday was last week as well, but he's another state away so I wasn't tempted with icing goodness on that day.

But look at me... they brought this out, we sang, blew out a candle & then cut this baby up... & I stayed away from it!  YES! 

It may not seem like much for some people - but me turning down cake?  That's massive for me.

I actually didn't want any.

I just wanted to get home & get in my 1-Mile Challenge & work out...

I want to end 2013 feeling good - & down a LOT of poundage.

So after a rousing game of HORSE ... actually HORSES... we added an S since two of the girls were almost out ... I went home & worked out..
.

Teach 'em young how to play

4.72 on the spinner, knocking off on my 50K Virtual Race & my 1 mile

It was the slowest mile EVER... 17:18... really?  I could probably crawl faster... that's depressing...

but looking at positives, not negatives... I did it...

Thumbs Up:  Obviously, turning down birthday cake
Thumbs Down: That mile... turtle pace

FitBit Stats:  10,039 Steps  / 4.83 miles  / 2,333 calories burned

Date with the Driveway

The weather is so beautiful outside still... I just wanted to go sit in it &  read.

But that's not productive at all... & I ran the day before so didn't want to mess up my legs & back, so took myself into the basement.

A date with Jillian Michaels.

Today's choice was Shed & Shred... I really do like her videos.  She seems much kinder on the videos then on the TV show. 

I wanted to get some toning in ... & Jillian doesn't disappoint.

154 was the Max ... not avg... messed up

I also started my One-Mile Challenge 2013 ... one mile every day for the end of the year.  I was glad to come out of the basement & spent a mile outside.  I didn't want to go down the road because the first half mile is nothing but uphill - which aggravates the back... so I just did it in my drive way...

up & down.. up & down..

the bad thing?  My drive way is also a hill... so I would do a full lap & then a half lap so I wouldn't do the hill.

It was fun because the neighbor's dog did the whole thing with me... confused look and all... but had a ball in his mouth & just kept thinking, "this is playing?"

I know its a slow mile... but its done.

I'm really interested in seeing the difference in my mile now & December 31,2013...

Challenges are good - right?

Thumbs Up:  Did more Burpees with Jillian then I normally do
Thumbs Down:  Not a healthy dinner... PB sandwich... blah...
FitBit Stats: 8,376 Steps / 3.99 miles / 2,571 Calories Burned

Just beautiful....& a goal?

So I have sort of made a goal for myself for the rest of the year.  Not sure how its going to go, but I think its easy enough, but challenging enough. 

Goal:  Run at least 1 mile EVERY DAY for the rest of the year in 2013

Less then 3 months to go.  Easy enough.  Even on a bad day,  busy day, even a sick day, I think I can get in 1 mile.  15 minutes ... yeah, 10 minutes or less for most of you... 15 for me on a bad day... but still.  A goal.  Let's see how this goes.

Yesterday wasn't a problem doing that.

It was SOOO beautiful out.

I ended up using that & going over my 3.25 hurdle again...

Ran 4.47 miles in 1 hour and 3 mins and 59 secs and felt good. Just a beautiful fall day http://t.co/7Foj8tsjY3
— Rebecca Jo (@RebeccaJoKnits) October 7, 2013

4:47 miles... nice...

& I don't know if it was the weather & the NO-HUMIDITY in the air, but I felt really good too.  Not too much pain in the knees or the low back...

I was just moving & enjoying life...

Yep... I probably enjoyed the day so much that I was doing the 'Phoebe Run'

I don't even think I moaned & groaned once about my low back pain, or my knees or my Bicep Tendon...

Take note of THIS day!

Now if every day felt like this...

Thumbs Up: Got a work out in AND made dinner! Felt like a real woman.

Thumbs Down:  Bicep Tendon is ACHING!!!!

FitBit Stats:  15,102 steps / 7.91 miles / 3262 calories burned