Monthly Goal Update

Another month, another set of goal updates. For accountability, or posterity, or something. 

1. Read at least 52 books - I’ve read read 16 books so far, only one more than last month! So much for having time to read. I’m in the middle of 2 books now and hope to finish at least those two by the end of May. 31%
2. Watch at least 52 movies in the theater - I’ve seen 21 movies so far. 40%
3. Run at least 520 miles - 131.45 miles so far! Still a little bit behind, but I picked it up a bit this month and it’ll pick up even more once I start 10k training in May and add a 4th running day to my schedule. 25%
4. Log at least 15 minutes of exercise EVERY SINGLE DAY - 120 for 120! 33%
5. Start studying Aikido in May - Starting in 11 days!
6. Start working with a personal trainer in September - Well I decided to start two weeks ago. I’ve had an assessment and my first training session. Wow.  
7. Lose at least 26 pounds - 16.2 pounds lost. 62%
8. Complete at least 5 races - I’ve done three races so far and my fourth is this weekend! Go me! 60%
9. Achieve half shoulder stand in yoga practice - I’m not working on this yet due to research telling me to wait until I’m no longer obese. 
10. Continue monthly massages - 4 of 12 done. 33%
11. Continue mental therapy - Doing my best juggling this around travel, but I’ve been keeping up with my therapist as often as I’m able to. It’s definitely a priority. 

April has been spent dealing with a lot of catchup from March. Oh, and I decided to go back to college which definitely was NOT a goal at the beginning of the year. So that’s sort of a big deal. 

My percentages should all be around 33%. I need to pick up the reading and the running, but I know that I’ll have no problems with the running due to that extra day in my schedule and I’m hopeful to carve out a wee bit of time to read. How did I become a person who has an easier time making time to run than making the time to read? That’s pretty mind boggling.

How are your goals coming along?  

I'm doing pretty well on my goals. 

1. Participate in 2 5Ks - 1st on is 5/2/15. It makes me chuckle that I did my first 10K before I did either of my 5Ks. Personally, I like the 10K distance more and will likely do more 10K and half marathons than 5Ks. 

2. Participate in a 10K - Met this goal 4/4/15. I added a 2nd 10K and it is 6/14

3. Participate in a half marathon - I actually have 4 that I am considering. I want to do at least 2 of them but my first goal is increasing my speed for my 10K so that I'm confident about hitting the pace requirements/time limits for the half. I would like to do one at the end of July but again... it all depends on how I am doing with my pace. If not, I will do one in September.

4. Find a church and attend at least 1/month - Would like to increase this to more than once a month but I am meeting my monthly goal. 

5. Reach the 100 lb loss milestone - I just achieved this. Wow.

6. Start studying yoga - I have gone to a couple classes but have not added this in consistently yet. 

7. Walk minimum of 3 times a week. - I was doing well with this and then stopped for a few weeks while my knee flared up. I'm getting back in the swing of things again though. I consider this one still a work in progress

8. Continue mental therapy - definitely a priority for me. 

9. Massage monthly - Yes. Actually, I have been doing them twice a month and it's been great to treat myself especially with the exercise I have been doing and the crazy schedule at work. Unfortunately my massage therapist is quitting and so I will need to find someone new for next month. She gave me a few recommendations though. I am hopeful one of them will work out 

10. Log my meals in MFP daily - Yes. This is still ongoing. 

I actually registered for a full marathon in January. I am a bit nervous about the pacing requirement but I'm fairly confident that I can reduce my time by the day of the race. I have a little over 8 months to get to the pace that I need. My schedule has me doing an event about every 6 weeks. I think that is enough time to allow  my body to recover and yet keep me motivated and focused. 

These are awesome goals and you're making phenomenal progress!!  I'm envious of your twice monthly massages.  I'm having a challenge just fitting in the once monthly ones I get.  

I definitely find that signing up for races helps motivate me to keep on track with training.  I'm nowhere close to doing a marathon, though.  I'm sort of hopeful that, next year, I'll feel ready for a half!

Your schedule is very busy and I am truly impressed by all that you have accomplished. Keep in mind that I walk all my events as opposed to the running that you are doing. That makes it a lot easier on my joints and my recovery time. I wish that I could run but, as someone who has a couple of joint replacements in her future, running is not an option for me. 

My biggest struggle is with increasing my pace. Right now every time I increase my pace I cause either my knee or hip to flare up. Obviously I am doing something wrong but I haven't quite figured it out yet. The mileage isn't an issue for me so I just need to figure out a way to work through this part. 

I don't know if you have already, but have you considered seeing an orthopedist?  Or maybe a podiatrist?  A lot of upper leg issues can be a result of foot problems and something as simple as orthotics can resolve the issue.  Or it might be that you need to work on knee/hip strengthening exercises with physical therapy or something.  (I've read some recent studies which indicate running isn't as hard on the joints as previously assumed, it's just a matter of proper form... I'm sure I have knee replacements in my future too, but hopefully not for many decades to come!)  

I hear you on pacing.  I'm so very slow :/  I've got a race coming up in October that has a 14:50 pace requirement and that feels so unattainable to me right now :(

Oh yeah, I practically have my ortho on speed dial and the physical therapy clinic is my home away from home. I have had multiple knee surgeries and still need more. The next one that I need would require me to be non-weight bearing for 8 weeks. Needless to say, I am avoiding the additional knee and the hip surgeries especially since they won't actually fix the problem. They will just, hopefully, push back when I have to get those joints replaced. I say that my knees and hips are Rice Krispy joints because they snap, crackle and pop :)  

Luckily, I have a great medical team that is doing their best to help me manage the limitations. 

That's wonderful news!  You're much more on the ball than most of the people I know :P  One of my friends has been having perpetual back issues but insists on only ever going to the local urgent care place.  Seriously?!  ARGH!  

I love how you make yourself so accountable to your goals.  It's a practice we should all follow.  You're an amazing person, Gwen 

I have to tell you that I LOVE COLORING!  I spent a good portion of my day at work coloring in my new coloring book.  Biggest complaint?  I don't have enough colored pencils - I bought a pack of 24.  I need more more more!

LOL!  I'm having the same issue with coloring!  I bought a pack of gel pens, but there are only 48!  Well, 47 since there are two blacks.  I ordered a pack of 96 pencils the other day, since I NEED MORE COLOR.  

Coloring is just so relaxing!  I love this adult coloring trend.  

1.read 1 book....this year....not yet

2.  Stay awake through a tv show that starts at 9... I'm covered, I have the dvr taping shows even as I watch them, because I inevitably fall asleep 

3. Run...wait, run?  No thanks.

4.  Log at least 15 minutes of exercise every day... well, i can log it, doesn't mean I'll do it, haha

5.  empty the dishwasher...hold up - I'm getting off track here...

All kidding aside - I admire your list

I don't understand why, but even though my children are grown, I still have no time to read or go to the movies.  I do make time to walk minimally 10,000 steps on my fitbit and am obsessed by it.  The dog is my best walking buddy.  I can always count on him to want to go.  Life gets in the way, but I know we have to make ourselves a priority in this weight loss and maintenance journey.   Keep up the good work, ladies.