Wednesday, January 1, 2014

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.

Feb 12 banana breakfast scramble 001

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?

7 comments:

  1. I like the idea of monthly goals. Or just taking the time every month to set monthly goals that build into your big yearly goals. Hope you have a great year!

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  2. I too love the idea of a changing focus every month. I've been eyeing a couple of challenges but am on the fence. I feel like I need to get comfy with the path I carved out for myself before possibly over-extending. That's my favorite plate! : )

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  3. Monthly goals and focuses are a great idea! I think it will really help you build on habits and achieve more things doing that than reaching for huge year long goals. Love the plan for food, that meal looks yummy!

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  4. No goals or resolutions for me. I'm living with intent this year. That's my focus :)

    Happy New Year to you! Happy to read it started off right! xo

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  5. No resolutions or challenges here.. just my own personal list of things I need to do for me. :)

    BTW, my feet issues were the balls of my feet so... you can always try the Hoka OneOne shoes I love so much! :)

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  6. I'm looking forward to following your year, especially this first month as we try to clean up our family's diet...

    I have weird issues with the ball of my one foot hurting as well. Still trying to figure out what shoes might work...

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  7. Feet wise, I would switch shoes. Have your feet and gate analyzed and a good pair recommended. Some stores can do that. Good luck! :-)

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