Challenge
Unfuckingbelievable, it’s August already. The summer is halfway gone. Two and a half months until Sweets and my one-year anniversary. (Where the heck did the time go?!?). While I try to internally wrap my head around it, externally, I’m sharing my challenge update with you!
Improved Workouts
Started: March 1, 2009.
Goal: Workout three times during the week and once over the weekend.
Progress: While the fractured elbow kept me out of the gym, it hasn’t dampened my spirits. I remained committed to training for a half marathon, which included running 1-2 times during the week, a longer training run on the weekend and going on 30-60 minute walks in between. That half marathon? Was this past weekend. And while I didn’t run a personal record for my time, I did complete it. *Fist pumps air*
Plan: Consider maintaining training level to run another half marathon in the coming months
Grade: RELENTLESS!
No Diet Coke
Started: March 5, 2009.
Goal: Give up drinking Diet Coke and other sodas.
Progress: I slipped a couple times this month. And actually had a few Diet Cokes. Wah! But, I still consider it a success because I feel like I’ve kicked the habit. I didn’t need those Diet Cokes. I was just jonsing for some chocolate and opted for the soda instead. Something had to give, but I’m still focused on NOT drinking the carbonation going forward!
Plan: Keep at it!
Grade: SUCCESS!
No Sweets
Started: April 1, 2009
Goal: Give up eating all sweets.
Restated Goal: Eat moderate amounts of sweets and no candy at work.
Progress: I slipped up a couple times this month. Kind of went overboard with candy at work. I was amazed I didn’t gain weight those weeks. I still need to get better at skipping the candy bowl at work.
Grade: WORKING IT!
No Delivery
Started: May 1, 2009
Goal: No take-out or delivery food
Progress: With the great weather, we’ve been stoked to use the grill. I really don’t miss our take-out or delivery food. Though, we did order pizza once this month, I didn’t need it (Sweets really wanted it, so I caved and let him!).
Plan: Stick to it!
Grade: CONTINUED SUCCESS!
Read Daily
Started: June 1, 2009
Goal: Read at least one magazine article or one book chapter every day.
Progress: I am reading more than I have in the past. And I think that’s the whole point was to get back on the reading wagon. I made a lot of progress towards finishing a book this month and continue to read our magazine subscriptions.
Plan: Keep at it. It’s a worthy goal and one I’d like to achieve each and every day!
Grade: IMPROVING!
Write Weekly
Started: July 1, 2009
Goal: Write at least one hand-written note on a weekly basis.
Progress: Dude, I rocked this one easily. This challenge was made for a girl like me. I used write letters all the time. And despite my bum elbow, I embraced writing this month! I started off with a thank you letter to our hosts in St. Louis (accompanied by sea salt and a cool container in which to store it). Then, I wrote fellow bloggers Sizzle and Marie and Alice and Busty to send some snail mail love. Next, I wrote a dear friend who is recuperating from a tough break-up (accompanied by a copy of This is Not the Life I Ordered). I also sent a thank you letter to my aunt and uncle, who gave us the gift certificate that allowed us to see John Legend and India Arie from the 10th row. From the looks of it, that’s seven letters in four weeks.
Grade: SUCCESS!
For the month of August, I’m going back to my personal health. Now that the half marathon has passed, I need a new physical fitness goal to keep me moving. In preparation for our upcoming trip to Montana (which will entail a lot of hiking), my August goal is to run or walk for an hour at least 4 times per week. Who’s with me?
August 4th, 2009 at 7:57 am
Sometimes Pizza is totally needed.
August 4th, 2009 at 8:03 am
Right now I don’t want to give anything up or make any changes but when I am recovered, I would really like to try giving up diet coke. I drink way too much of it. The perfect time to stop would have been right after the hospital. I hadn’t had any in days, the bubbles weren’t good for my digestive system anyway, but yet I still didn’t give it up. I guess I need something to make me feel “normal” or something right now. I really admire you for making all these changes though. I am going to copy once I am feeling better.
August 4th, 2009 at 8:05 am
Agreed with Matt, sometimes you just need a pizza and a diet coke. I’m super proud of you for staying on top of your challenges!
August 4th, 2009 at 8:36 am
i’m in. i’ve got to prepare for the triathlon in september! i suppose that also means i have to get into a pool?
August 4th, 2009 at 8:41 am
Four times per week? Can I just cheer you on?
Oh and that evil candy, it’s just always too delicious to pass up! Just cover your eyes while walking past it. I assure you this method works! (Not really.)
And thanks for the card! Super sweet and so thoughtful!
August 4th, 2009 at 9:07 am
I have started back into the gym routine and last night Irish, Jack & I went for a walk which turned into random walk/run/sprinting. It was a lot of fun, had me laughing but totally great for the body! I wonder if I can commit to running/walking exclusively (I often do stair stepper & elliptical as they are my butt-blaster routine) 4 times a week.
Way to go on all your goals! You guys are doing great =) Any book and/or magazine suggestions as a result of your reading?
August 4th, 2009 at 9:53 am
I just weighed myself and was so worried what the scale would tell me after two weeks of no exercise (thanks heat, travel and head cold!) and boozing. Luckily, it was not that bad. PHEW! Now back on track, pronto.
I loved getting my handwritten note from you. I forgot to tell you how much that meant to me. I LOVE MAIL.
xo
August 4th, 2009 at 9:55 am
Since I already walk and/or “elipitical” a total over 4 hours a week, I guess I’m in with you. LOL!
I still need to write a bunch of thank-yous for my birthday!
August 4th, 2009 at 10:05 am
I gave into the pizza monster once in July also. Oh well. I sorely needed it.
August 4th, 2009 at 10:16 am
you can do it! i’m totally not a distance runner BUT you are rocking for doing this!
August 4th, 2009 at 10:44 am
You are doing awesome. I’m so impressed! Also, I’m surprised that you think of August as marking the halfway point of summer. I always think of August as the home stretch of summer. September, to me, is fall. So we’re 2/3 of the way there!
August 4th, 2009 at 11:07 am
I’m in! I need to get back on a regular schedule with my work outs. I’m adding 2 days of strength as well!
August 4th, 2009 at 11:43 am
Observation: that’s a whole lotta new-years-esk resolutions!
Question: what prompted you to make all these changes/goals in the first place?
I would love to actually work on have half as many goals as you have been so dedicated to, but I don’t have the energy or, frankly, the need/motivation to do em! Maybe I have learned laziness? ;)
August 4th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Good for you!!
I think my pups would be very pleased if I attempted to do your August challenge :)
August 4th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
I’m with you! I have that half to run in October!
August 4th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
These challenges are so inspiring. I love the way you break it down into month by month. It seems much less overwhelming that way. You are doing such a great job with them!
August 5th, 2009 at 9:29 am
good for you for keeping up with your goals! and i kept up with MY goal of eating extra fruits and veggies this month! woo!
August 8th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
I’m not running, but I did join Shredheads and got paired with an online work out buddy. The whole month of August will be dedicated to Shredding. So I’m taking control of my health and physical fitness this month too!
Great list--you’re doing an awesome job!
August 16th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
Great August goal! Maybe I can be included in one of your run/walks when you get back! :)