Long and Short-Term Goals

Well, I did it! I got up this morning and worked out before going to work. I set my alarm for 5:00 with the intention of getting in a good hour long workout. Of course, I hit the snooze button and didn't manage to get out of bed until 5:20. So, I had to cut my work out short, but I still did it! I started with 10 minutes on the treadmill to warm up, then did some circuits using the weight machines and free weights in the gym. I even did some jump rope, which is a whole lot harder than I remember it being in middle school! I didn't have as long or as hard a workout as I had hoped for, and I left the gym a little disappointed, but I'm very proud of myself for getting out of bed that early and working out at all! I can try again tomorrow to get up at 5:00 and fit in an hour at the gym.

After my workout, I made a protein-rich breakfast! This is my take on a healthier breakfast sandwich made out of whole wheat toast, egg, turkey bacon, and cheese. I also had a half of a banana, some grapes, and a glass of chocolate soy milk (yes, it's actually REALLY good!!)


When I got home from work, THIS had arrived in the mail!!
My mom told me about this book a long time ago. She heard about it from a trainer we used to go to. She had a client about my size who had dieted and worked out for a long time, but reached a plateau and couldn't seem to get past it (something I am all too familiar with.) She bought this book, and as soon as she started the program, the weight started melting off. She gradually went from being sedimentary, to slowly walking, to jogging, and finally to running in a marathon! So, that is a new long-term goal of mine. I want to get into good enough shape to run a marathon...obviously this will take some time, but I think it's a very realistic long-term goal! I can't wait to start reading!

Another goal I'm working on this week is "clean eating." I read an article about it today, and decided I'd like to give it a try. Basically, I will spend a few days on a "clean" diet to rid my bodies of toxins.

"Spend a day or two eating as cleanly as possible: fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. For the time being, cut out dairy, animal products, sugar, white flour, and if you're strong-willed, caffeine. A seasonal bout of clean eating can feel like pressing reset on your system." (Check out the full article here: http://shine.yahoo.com/event/makeover/spring-clean-what-youre-eating-1237149/)

For the first few days of this diet, I am really going to try to cut out all meat. It will not only make my body feel clean and refreshed, but it is also a way to force myself into eating more vegetables (something I am constantly struggling with.) So, if anyone has any good vegetarian recipes, please send them my way! I am going to try some black beans burgers one night and a vegetable stir fry the next, but I need more ideas! Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks...whatever you've got, let me know! I'm starting tomorrow morning...after my work out!