Spring into New Goals

I spent some of this afternoon looking through my old blog posts and reflecting on this journey. I looked at my initial goals, to lose 30 pounds and to be able to run a 10K, both of which I have done. My goals have been achieved and with Spring right around the corner it is a great time to set new goals for myself to keep myself accountable. I have been debating with myself all week about what my next course of action should be. I have been very stressed out lately and extremely frustrated with my bicep tendon still on the fritz and the inability to lift/ go to my favorite Chisel classes. I am struggling to find balance and would like to lift this cloud of despair.

My goals for the near future reflect my need for more happiness, self control, and peace.

1) More and better sleep: My goal will be to eventually get at least 7 hours of sleep every night (of course knowing I have no control over whether my children allow for that), to go to bed earlier and to "unplug" at an earlier time each night to allow myself to unwind.

2) Figure out what my body fat percentage is and then work toward 22% (Body fat percentage chart)

3) Spend 10 minutes each day in prayer/ mediation

4) Sign up for and train for a Triathlon this summer

5) Drastically lesson the usage of electronics in the evening and increase the amount of quality family time (even if that means homework and running to soccer and baseball)

6) Figure out how much I can take on and learn to say "No" without feeling guilty

I don't know if I dare set any more goals since this list seems daunting enough, I do want to increase my water and produce and lesson my processed foods but I will take it slow or I know that I will fail miserably.

I have to say, this week I only worked out a couple days and I ate whatever I wanted. The lesson I learned, eating garbage makes me feel like garbage and not working out and getting those extra endorphins puts me in a crabby mood. I greatly enjoyed not "worrying" about what was going into my body but my body did not appreciate it. I don't regret taking the week off and believe it helped me realize how far I've come and how much I've changed.

Count your blessings, set your goals, and have a great week! <3

Reaching your goal and the depression that follows

I did it! I reached my goal weight for the YMCA weight loss challenge that began in January. I was really certain that I wasn't going to get there but I worked my butt off (literally) and succeeded. The goal was 140 lbs. and has been my ultimate goal since the beginning. I'm thoroughly elated and received a huge hug from a Y staff member that was rooting for me. It was a wonderful moment.

You would assume that I am living on cloud nine... but I'm not. Here's the thing, I worked so hard for more than a year, made sacrifices, pushed myself further than I ever have before. I've created a new, healthier version of myself and have had a constant goal in mind. Now that I've reached this goal I think I had built up the final result. In my mind, once I obtained my goal I think I expected fireworks, confetti, balloons, a party, etc. I assumed that the minute that number appeared on the scale my life would be radically changed. What a terrible, gut wrenching feeling to discover that, after the initial elation, you are still the same you, no fairy godmother has transformed your existence.

This heartache lasted (and will continue to some extent to last a little while longer) until I had some reflection time while doing dishes this evening. I have radically changed and transformed, it did not happen overnight but in a long progression of time. My go to snacks and meals have changed, what I considered a binge is drastically less than what it used to be, I look forward to working out and have been slowly passing these habits onto my children.

I may not have a party, confetti, or balloons but I can be proud of the journey I've taken and grateful for the blessings I've received. I'm also excited to create another goal for myself after enjoying this week off from scales and the stress of losing weight.

Made my goal weight!