I turn 27 today, and though I know it’s not really old, for some reason it kind of freaks me out. I think it’s the realization that I’m so close to 30, again these things are not important and it’s all in my head, but still.
In honor of my irrationality, I’ve decided to post one goal a day for the next five days. These goals are things I want to accomplish by my 28th birthday. I hope that by putting these out into the public eye, I’ll be able to accomplish them.
Today’s goal isn’t new, it’s something I’ve been working on for the past two years. I want to continue to eat better and exercise consistently. Last summer I dropped quite a bit of weight, was good about eating correctly, worked out 3-4 time a week, and was feeling good going into winter. Winter was a different story though, I stopped going to the gym, started eating more junk, and not watching my portion sizes. Sadly, these things continued into the summer. I finally got back on the scale a few weeks ago and it was not good. I’m by no means huge, but I’m not where I want to be, both for my own personal image but also for long term health.
To remedy this, I’ve started tracking calories again to help keep my intake in check, stopped eating meat for the month of September, and started working out again. I started the 100-pushup program last week, and am adding the 200 sit-ups and 200 squats programs this week. I’m also trying to bike at least 10 miles 3 times a week. Hopefully, I’ll be back on track by the time the weather turns and I will be able to hit the gym consistently.
My goal is to make these things a habit and not a challenge by the time my 28th birthday rolls around. It may not be easy, but it will be worth it in the end.
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Happy Birthday, and good luck! I have no doubt you can nail all five goals. And I haven’t even seen the other four yet!
I’m the opposite with seasons. In summer, there are so many things I want to do (such as drink beer on patios), that I don’t hit the gym very much. In winter, it’s much easier for me to hit up the gym after work.
Emily, summer is easier for me because I love biking and just generally being active outside. I have a hard time keeping occupied all winter and then I eat. Boredom and me is not a good thing.
Awesome! Nothing wrong with setting goals for yourself, that’s for sure.
I’m going to throw out that you should check out Janda sit-ups instead of doing “regular” sit-ups or crunches — they work your abs a LOT more (instead of just flexing your hips really). You can prob find a decent how-to vid on YouTube but lemme know if you have any questions.
And of course, you know that I know a guy… http://5ringsfitness.com! ;-) Lots of kettlebells, but there’s also martial arts and other classes.
You’re a rockstar!
Thanks Hannah, I’ll definitely give the sit-ups a try. And if I fall apart when winter strikes I may have to use your idea about 5ringsfitness.
I think I told you that I’d lost a good bit of weight over the last year. One thing I learned for activity is make sure you change it up every so often, so biking, walking, jogging if you can stand to, etc.
As for eating junk, the main thing I’ve done is try and just keep that stuff out of the house and instead get healthier stuff, so more fruits with my lunch and fewer cookies, and again, change it up so you don’t get bored of eating apples or carrots all the time.
Portion control is an ongoing challenge, but it gets easier over time. I did kinda pig out over this last weekend and I noticed that portions that used to be “normal” for me, now leave me feeling pretty stuffed.
I agree with Emily, there is so much I want to do in the summer and I don’t get to the gym, but in the winter it’s so effing cold that I might as well hang out at the gym for awhile! Which gym do you go to? Having someone to go to the gym with is probably the most motivating thing for me, it becomes a healthy social event! I really need to buckle down on my eating meat only 2 days a week plan, maybe I should also make it public on my blog so I have more pressure to actually do it.
Good luck with the goals!
Mark – I completely agree about changing up the activity, that’s one thing I’m bad about, mainly because I dislike running so much, can’t roller blade, and generally dislike anything stationary like ellipticals. I’ll probably have to get over this some day because at the moment the only strenuous cardio activity I like is biking.
Formica – You and Emily are right about the fact their is more to do in summer, but as I told Mark my exercise of choice is biking and biking in the summer is awesome, not so much my cup of tea in the winter. We should chat about a gym though, I currently go to Snap Fitness but am considering a gym with a pool and classes. As far as going public, it’s a fun idea and not only does it hopefully get some pressure but you also get awesome tips from people.