Getting 2104 Off to a Great Start

Happy New Year!

I got the new year off to a great start this morning with a glass of immunity-boosting lime water and a lovely cup of dark coffee… then a serving of 30 ENERGYbits to fuel my strength workout.

I actually started my new 12-week strength program on Monday… and The Captain has opted to join me in this round so I was completely thrilled by that development. I did workout A on my own and then put him through the paces afterward.   Today, I took the same tack, and did my own workout B so I could concentrate on him when it was his turn. 

This program alternates between the 2 workouts, A and B, so now that he is familiar with the exercises, I think we can go ahead and do them together.  I know it won’t be long before he will need to increase the weight he is using though (likely needs more already) so we will be shopping for equipment soon and I am very excited about that.

Then I had a good refuelling breakfast and am ready to conquer the first day of the new year.  I think a beach walk is in order... after lunch.

I have not made any resolutions for the year.  I have not set any particular goals. I did not choose a them word this year.  What I am going to do instead, is focus on a particular area of my health and fitness each month.  Call me fickle if you like, but I need to have change to stimulate me and keep me interested. 

For January my focus is on my food!  How I do love to create and cook and eat.

Last January I did my first Whole 30 Paleo Challenge and fell in love with this way of eating.    Over the course of the year I did some experimenting and found that grains do not agree with me at all… but that I can eat edamame occasionally, and also Greek yogurt without any consequences.  But I overdid the nuts and the nut butters, and the dried fruits… I also did some experimenting with paying more attention to the breakdown of my macronutrients, and I  was part of the focus group for the new Weight Watchers Simple Start plan which concentrates on whole, natural foods.  

With all of this new knowledge, I have decided on a plan of attack for this month, which I hope will give me the fuel I need to keep myself energized and nourished, using a combination of these tools.  I am excited and energized and eager for results.

On another note... there is one niggly little issue… the last couple of times I have run, I have developed swelling and soreness on the ball of my left foot.  It lasts an hour or so and then seems to disappear.  I have had a couple of pieces of advice about what may be causing it and am going to try some different shoes and also some thicker socks the next time I go out… but it is annoying because I had been hoping to increase my runs as the weather warms.  Oh well, there is always golf!

Do you have anything special planned for January?  Have you joined in any challenges?