mday

Jim and I signed up for Ben’s Do Life Challenge and I figured no better place to record my activities and progress for the week than on this dear ol’ Tumblr.

- Write down five quantifiable goals for yourself. Assess yourself and write down your current stats in all five areas.

1. Lose five pounds by February 1. 168 now (a solid 15 pounds heavier than I was on my wedding day less than six months ago. This is a huge reason why I signed up for this challenge.)

2. Record everything I eat, seven days a week. Calorie counting works for me - when I do it. I am typically good Monday - Friday and then it all goes to hell come the weekend. I am FINALLY entering the 21st century and getting an iPhone this week, so I will help get to this goal with the help of a handy app. I’m thinking Livestrong, but I’m open to suggestions.

3. No more than one serving a day of bread, pasta, or potatoes. Baby steps here - going cold turkey on bread doesn’t ever end well for me. It usually results in massive binging so I’m going to make a real effort to cut back this month.

4. Strength train twice a week. I am consistently doing this once a week but I need to step it up gradually. Let’s start with one extra day a week!

5. Run at least 60 miles this month. I have run only three times since the NYC Marathon waaaay back in November and my body knows it. I am very out of shape compared to where I was just a few weeks ago.

- As many pushups as you can.

16 modified, which seems pretty pathetic for me.

- Add 30 minutes to your average week and push the intensity during those 30 minutes.

I’ll keep you posted on this, but I’m hoping to get in some extra time tomorrow on the stairmaster and one other day this week.

- Identify your biggest excuse. Write it down on a wall in your house. Then in your notebook write a way to eliminate that excuse.

“I’ll do it later.”

My first retort was “Do it now,” but it’s not that easy. I will not do it later by planning ahead - I will determine the day prior what I need to do to set myself up for success. That includes determining when I will be working out that day and what I will be eating.

- Each night before bed, write four things you did well that day.

1. Ran 5.5 miles despite pretty blustery conditions

2. Walked 2 miles home from a friend’s place instead of taking the subway

3. Was nice to my husband :)

4. Did not overeat!