Every now and then I will undertake a challenge – 10 Pounds in 10 Days (2013), Whole30 (2014), and this year, ROCKtober and GOALvember.
I don’t think of any of these are “lifestyle changes” or “system reboots” or anything like that, but I do think that in life, we should seek out challenges, and more than that, we should look to better ourselves in whatever small ways, for whatever small reasons.
With that (overly noble) idea in mind, here’s my two-week-delayed review of GOALvember – my pursuit of 10 lifestyle “tweaks” intended to make my day-to-day life better, lose a little weight, and get back to a wellness plan that really works for my life and my goals. Behold the list:
#squadgoalz
So what did I learn from trying to make these 10 rules stick? Well…
“Forcing” workouts is almost a guarantee of not getting them done. Sure, I exercise near-daily, and I love exercising, so it’s not a chore for me. But trying to quantify workouts (yoga, Crossfit, running, swimming…) is almost more stressful than helpful. There are four types of target workouts I like to do (see list above), but I am more satisfied plugging them into my week as I go – and as I can- rather than trying to check off some ambivalent number on a list. There is room for flexibility!
Positive self-talk works. And guys, I go overboard. I look in the mirror and say out loud, “Fierce!” I take selfies that I never post just to give myself a high five for putting makeup on that day. I put on dresses that hug the curves of my body and for once don’t focus on the little bit of “extra” that peeks out near my upper arms. I have been giving myself mental high-fives on a way more regular basis, and I will tell you – I feel better each passing day when I do it. As they say – fake it till you make it.
Alcohol is not (really) the enemy. I’m not saying it’s good for you, and I’m sure not saying it’s not a vice in my own life. But what I am saying is that the days I chose to have a few extra tipples among friends were not the days my weight would stagnate or go up; in fact it was often the opposite. As a social drinker, I associate a few beers with a bit of fun, and I realize that cutting that channel out of my life (again, for an arbitrary reason) makes me more stressed than just letting loose a bit. And hey, it’s the holidays, right? Time to toast under the mistletoe, in my opinion. 😉
Clean eating is always the solution. Well, what do you know – when I am eating more vegetables (salads included, but not exclusively), skipping the heavy breakfast carbs (read: cereal), and enjoying reasonable and protein-focused portions, I have more energy, I lose weight, and I perform better. Surprise, surprise. I have all the tools I need, I just need to remember to wield them.
I am happy to report that I am “off program” for the next couple of weeks – even trainers like to enjoy themselves at the holidays, of course! I’m excited about what the new year holds – Ragnar Ultra, perhaps a triathlon (!), and who knows what else…2016 is a year of possibility.
What are you looking forward to in the new year? Any great fitness goals?
thisfitblonde 