Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Mission: Michelle Obama Arms

The other day, my dear sister Lyndsay sent me a picture of the bridesmaid dresses we will most likely be wearing for her wedding.


I think the dress is quite lovely, so is the model wearing the dress. One thing I noticed right away is the lack of sleeves and immediately I think of my big, white flabby arms and I feel some renewed motivation to do something to prepare for it so I can look and feel great wearing that dress, or at least attempt to.

They haven't set a date, but I found out yesterday they are thinking of sometime this September. So I have sufficient time to make these arms presentable.

But that still doesn't change the fact that I am me, and have a really hard time pretty much with everything related to living healthfully, but I've narrowed down some key problems I face: motivation, holding myself accountable and sticking to a routine. I also know that if I bite off more than I can chew, I will not stick with anything I plan out. So baby steps is the key for me.

I then tried to look at my problems from the perspective as a teacher and how I would try to assist a student who was having these problems. So I now introduce you to my new and improved fitness corner:


So its not really THAT new and improved, I've had it since we moved here. But I did add a fan and a new fitness notebook. My fitness notebook is what I am hoping to use to hold me accountable.

Inside, I have a sheet a paper for each week (though I only have 2 weeks prepared, because I hope to adjust depending how it goes. Plus I'm moving back to Portland in 2 weeks, so my next weeks goals may be somewhat different because I'm going to be in a different environment), that includes a checklist of my goals that I can check off as I complete them for the week. I chose a checklist because I quite enjoy checking things off, so I think its a useful and motivating tool for me to keep track of whether I'm meeting my goals each week. So far, the only goals I have for this week is the 100 push-up challenge (week 1) and doing No More Trouble Zones (as far as I can get) and 30 Day Shred Level 1. I figure push-up challenge 3 times a week and a Jillian video (because her videos are, in all caps, THE BEST) twice a week is a manageable start.


I'm still debating on at least one nutritional goal, but may wait to add that until next week. For now, I've included notebook paper for me to keep track of what I'm eating.


I'm not sure if I'll try to input that into nutrition tracker like sparkpeople.com, but I have a feeling that's something I wont keep up with. But I do think that it is important that I keep track. When I don't have a solid routine, like right now when I don't have a job or anything to do, I have a tendency to not eat enough during the day and gorging at night. For example, its 4:00PM and on that sheet it says the only thing I've had today was tea, and that's still accurate. I have yet to eat real food today.

Well, that gets me thinking, perhaps that should be my nutritional goal: eat 3 meals a day.

Another nutritional goal I'm thinking about is avoiding sugary drinks. While I haven't drank soda for a while now, I still drink juice or Sobe way more than I should. Once I am working again, one goal will definitely be NO FAST FOOD. Or at least EXTREME MODERATION of fast food. Its not an issue right now because fast food isn't even an option given our current financial situation.

I'm also thinking about doing weekly weigh-in and/or measurements. I really think if I want to stay motivated I have to see what I am doing is making progress, and if it isn't, I should be reflecting on what I am doing that is preventing progress.

So thats the plan so far. But I would love love love to hear any suggestions or thoughts you might have on my new plan. Wish me luck on my goal to Michelle Obama arms :)