Posts tagged weight loss
I Can Do Anything Good: January
I’m a very goal-oriented person. Clearly. I set goals all the time in 2011, and it seemed like each month ended with a bulleted list of reasons for not achieving my goals. Lesson learned: I know that in order to achieve the goals I set for myself, I need to have a certain level of accountability…
So, here are the goals I set for 2012 at the beginning of the year.
And here’s how I’m doing so far:
Reach my goal weight by June 1
So far, so good! I realize that it may come off a little vain or brainwashed by magazine culture to have my weight at the top of my list of resolutions for 2012, so I want to clarify. This isn’t about me weighing what the gossip magazine and television industry says I should weigh – I don’t want to be a scary skinny bobblehead who survives on, like, kale and pickles and lemon juice. This is about my health, my willpower, and my need to stop eating so much pizza and drinking so much beer.
All that said, I lost 5 lbs. in January. Success!
12 in 12
Mom and I ran the Greenville News 5k, and my official time clocked in at 41:53 with a pace of 13:31. In February, we’ll be running the Frostbite 5k here in Asheville, and my goal is to finish in under 40:00. Bring it, February!
No More Debt
Josh and I are on this new budget system that I heard about on the Elevation Church Podcast. It seems to be working well so far, and I think we’re off to a good start. The hardest part about a budget is realizing that you don’t get to go out to eat or to a bar every time the mood strikes. We’re learning to bargain with ourselves to see where our “fun” priority falls for the week, which is good—but tough to get used to.
Read at least a book a month
Haven’t you heard about my book club? This month I finished The Weird Sisters, which I’ll be blogging about for the BlogHer book club soon. I’m currently reading The Zookeeper’s Wife for the What Are You Reading? book club, and you’re not too late to join us! Click here to join the discussion on Goodreads.
Build a business
Well, I’m freelancing steadily! I have one major client keeping me in steady work. I’m getting used to setting my own schedule and being my own boss. I work on freelance assignments in the evening throughout t\he week, and each Friday I make myself a cup of tea and shut myself in the office with the dogs to finish up the week’s assignments and invoices.
I’ve been doing a lot of brainstorming for the actual business itself – the name, the website, the services offered, the business plan…it’s overwhelming, but I keep reminding myself that this isn’t the kind of thing you cross off your list in a day. I’m happy with where I am and I’m excited about where I’m going.
Did you set goals for 2012? How are you doing so far?
12 in 12: January
The morning of January 21 was cold, rainy, and generally gross. The alarm went off way too early, I was way too tired and completely unprepared. Honestly, the only thing that kept me from backing out was the thought of having to write a post admitting to giving up on my FIRST 5k of the year. No way. Not acceptable. Not in 2012.
So I rolled out of bed, pulled my bedhead into a ponytail, tied my running shoes, and headed into downtown Greenville, SC for the Greenville News 5k. I think this was the biggest race I’ve ever run - somewhere in the neighborhood of 2,000 people braved the dreary weather to pound the pavement, and mom and I were right in the middle of the pack.
As I mentioned, I was completely unprepared for this race. No training at all - which is why my hips were aching all the way home, and why I slept for a solid 10 hours on Saturday night. Mom stuck with me (although she could have left me in her dust!), and I probably walked as much as I ran, but I’m happy with how I did. Obviously, I won’t benefit from this resolution at all if I roll out of bed and stumble through each race without any training or work beforehand. I’ve got my starting time and a plan for February, and it’ s only going to get better from here.
January Time: 41:53
*This was the time on the race clock when we finished. It took us about 30 seconds to actually cross the start line after the race started, so this is probably a little inflated, but I’ll count it.
February Goal: Under 40
February Race: Frostbite 5k in Asheville, NC
2012: The Plan
2012: The Plan
I’ve got a good feeling about 2012. As I sat in the living room New Year’s Day, watching Homeland (which is SO GOOD) with my husband and our friends, I made out a list of things I want to accomplish this year – and I really believe I’m going to check off each of my resolutions in 2012. And THAT, my friends, is exciting.
Reach my goal weight by June 1
Did you know that I have been a member of Weight Watchers since before my wedding? Which was in 2009? That I had a goal to lose 30 lbs, total, and I somehow wasn’t able to get that done over the course of three whole years?
Well, now you know. I lost 20, gained 10, and now have about 20 more to go before I am truly happy with my body and my health. That’s not a lot. And the only thing stopping me from reaching my goal is me. So I’ve decided – this is the year.
12 in 12
I’m going to run a 5k every month this year. BOOM. And not only am I going to run – I’m going to run progressively faster until I can finish in under 30:00 (by June), and THEN under 27:00 (by December). I’ll post the races here as I register – so feel free to join me for 3.2 miles whenever you see that I’ll be running in your neck of the woods!
No More Debt
We are lucky – we have very little credit card debt, and yet we can’t seem to shake it all the way. So, you guessed it, this is the year. We’re going to be completely free of credit card debt by December 31, 2012. As long as the world hasn’t ended, that is. ‘
Read at least a book a month
Remember my book club? Probably not – since it was around for about a day. Are you disgusted that it took me until December to finish 100 Years of Solitude? I am. I’m mad that I didn’t bother to make time to read – but I had plenty of time to watch Felicity on Netflix and sleep until noon on the weekends and work into the wee small hours of the morning.
I love to read – but if you say you love something and then you don’t make time for it, how true can that love really be? This year, things change. Keep an eye on the blog for at least one new book club book a month. Read along with me if you’d like – I’d love the company! And I’m always open to suggestions.
Build a business
This is the biggie. It has been my dream for years to truly work for myself. And now that I’m halfway there, I’m realizing that I am missing some key elements of a small business. Like…a name. Or business cards. Or a website, or a logo, or did I mention a name? 2012 is the year that I truly become my own boss. This might be the resolution I’m most excited about – but really, I’m excited about all of them.
October
I can’t believe September is gone already - don’t I say that every month? September was especially tough, though - saying goodbye to September means the end of the month AND of another of my years. This year, I turned 26…and it feels like a much bigger deal than 25.
My birthday was perfect - roller coasters, cake, post it notes, cupcakes, presents, more cupcakes, pizza with some of our very favorite people, a trivia victory, and a ghost tour through downtown Asheville. I’d say the word for this birthday week would be epic. Check out my Instagram for photos of all the fun.
And now, here we are at October. Crispy, crunchy, red and orange October.
I’ve got plans for October. Goals, even. You could call them goals. I should probably start calling them goals again. If I tell you about them, will you hold me to them?
October Goals:
Lose 5lbs. Yup. I’m throwing down a number. 5. Make it happen.
Write 750 words every day. (Would you believe I have ALREADY fallen short on this one? I’m a disgrace. It’s October 4th. It’s not too late. I’m taking back the reins TODAY.)
Write a short story. Maybe using the awesome Craigslist idea left as a comment on this post.
Paint a picture. On a canvas. And then hang it somewhere in our house.
Run another 5k.
Finish 100 Years of Solitude (I’m ashamed that I even have to add this one to the list).
My last goal for October isn’t as easy to list, but I have a feeling it’s going to be the most important. As the air gets cooler and I find myself wanting to do little more than hibernate and watch Felicity on Netflix, I need to find a way to stay positive and motivate myself to be as hard-working as I was through those productive summer months.
I keep reminding myself of the Maya Angelou (I think) quote: “Nothing will work unless you do.” And because the key is motivation, I’m offering myself a reward. If I can achieve all of my goals for this month, I’m going to order myself business cards - not for my 9-5 (or 6 or 7). Not on behalf of my company.
For myself. On behalf of me.
Corley May, the goal-oriented, self-motivated writer.
(I’ll work on the title, don’t worry.)
How about you? Are you a goal person? What’s your plan for the month? Leave me a list or a link and I’ll help you if you’ll help me.
This weekend was a doozy in a GREAT way.
Remember how I mentioned that I’ll be doing a 5K every month until the end of the year? Well, 5K number one happened bright and early Saturday morning, and it was fantastic. Fall was in the air, the weather was perfect and cool, the course was beautiful, and I got to run alongside my sweet mom (until she left me in her dust).
I can’t help but feel so proud of her for the way she has taken her running to the next level. She’s beat me in every race we’ve run, and I love it! She is a perfect example of how well you can do if you put your heart into it and really commit to running. I need to take a page from her book and get way more serious (and consistent) with my training - she’s proof that it pays off!
After the 5k, we hit an antique mall and then headed home to nap before our second adventure of the day…tattoos!
Believe it, friends! Mom and I have been talking for over a year about getting these tattoos, and on Saturday night, along with my little brother, we did it! The fantastic guys at Hot Stuff Tattoo in West Asheville were kind enough to work us into their schedule, and we are all thrilled with the results (although Mom was a little peeved that it hurt so much more than she expected…somebody told her it would feel like getting an itch scratched, which is obviously not true).
The anchor is in honor of my Grandaddy, my mom’s dad, who is a Navy vet. You can read more about him (and his wisdom) here. The daisy is in honor of my mom’s mom, Grandmother Daisy. You can read about her in this post from before my wedding. Mom and I got the tattoo the exact same size in the exact same place - just above the right ankle. Daniel went all out and got the tattoo about 3x as big on his chest. I think it’s pretty special to share such a permanent “heirloom” with my mom and brother - and I think it says a lot about how fantastic my family is, if I do say so myself.
It was a fantastic, busy, exciting, and exhausting weekend spent with the family I know I am so blessed to have.
What did you do this weekend?
July, July, July!
June went out with a bang (or more of a crunch, if you want to be technical), and now July is here to show us what it’s got.
Last month left some pretty big shoes to fill. I channeled Marian the Librarian for the month’s first Ukulele Wednesday. Our friend Allison Weiss stopped by on her whirlwind Forever Alone tour. I wrote my first guest post over at Develop Socially. We went to New York! I tried on glasses from Warby Parker. And A TREE FELL ON MY LITTLE BROTHER’S CAR!
All of which leads us to now. July.
I’ve really enjoyed the freedom from strict goals these past couple of months, and I don’t want to get all crazy and regimented again…but I do want to bring back the accountability that my goals were trying to bring to my life.
So for the month of July, I would like to…
- keep and follow a schedule for this blog
- write one “business” post a week to be published elsewhere
- not miss a single week of tracking my WW points
- get a tan
- ride a roller coaster
We’re headed to stay with a couple of our favorites at Lake Norman for the weekend, so I’ll hopefully be getting started on the tan soon! Bring on the summertime.
Do you make a list of goals every month? Leave a link for me in the comments!
We ran our second 5K!
I actually ran most of this one, and Mom knocked it out of the park (AGAIN).
She did make it a point not to run off and leave me, which I appreciated. Josh, on the other hand, bet me earlier this month that he could finish a 5K in under 30 minutes without training, and he left me in his dust in an effort to win our bet.
He won. He clocked in at under 29 minutes, winning the 20-29 year old category and the date night of his choice with me. We’re planning on an Asheville Tourists game. He’s being a very gracious winner.
Mom and I finished in the 38 minute range, which I think is respectable. There was one RIDICULOUSLY tough hill in the middle of the course, which I walked up, but I ran way more than last time. Baby steps! I’m still relishing the feeling that comes with being able to run at all. This time last year, I was attending races for work and feeling jealous of all the people who could participate. I truly thought that, because of lupus, I would never be able to get out there and run…and now, here I am, two races down and getting better each time. I’m thrilled, and I’m going to keep going until I know for sure that I can’t anymore.
I can’t get over my Mom becoming a runner. She runs every day now! She went for six miles yesterday, which just blows my mind. She’s my hero and my inspiration. We’re going to start training for our first HALF MARATHON soon!
So… I finished my first ever 5K!
I didn’t run the whole thing, and I was very angry at myself for that. Then I got past the anger and vowed to train harder and do better next time. And then I signed up for next time! Which brings me to update number two…
My Mom and I will be running the PB&J 5K in Hendersonville, NC on May 7th.
We’re very excited. Mom was so inspirational at our first race. She powered through with speed and determination - to be honest, she left me in her dust! This time, though, I’ll be able to catch up to her and finish this race RUNNING.
