Happy Holidays! Health Goals! Healthy Resolutions!

Hey y'all. It's been a month. I wish I could say that I have made tremendous progress this month, but I have to be real and put it all out there and let you know - I haven't. I have been emotionally eating, stressing out, skipping workouts, forgetting about run sessions, and just being a mess. I could blame it on a lot of things, but the reality of it is that I feel somewhere along the lines here, I have become so TIRED of tracking, restricting, and working so hard and I have burned myself out.

I have contemplated backing out of the Beachbody Classic (again). I have delayed my progress pictures. It's not that I have actually gained any weight, but rather that I have failed to make any true progress. Part of me is perfectly comfortable at this size and this weight. Another part of me wants terribly to get my triglycerides under control and meet my goal weight. Then there is a little demon in there whispering sweet nothings of pizza and doughnuts in my ear. Let's just say, there is a lot going on.

Coming into the holiday season, I have had a lot derail me, which I take personal responsibility for, because I am in this place of having maintained my weight for basically all of 2016 based on my own choices and decisions. I am choosing to not track anything this weekend, and to take a break from my own obsessive thoughts to just enjoy the holidays with my family. It is almost like, the harder I train, and the more restrictive I am with my nutrition - despite my success - the more I just want to throw it all out the window! Soooooo.... taking a mental break and letting myself be ok with that, seems like what I should do for just a few days.

After that, my goals are still in effect. I am going to share them here so that I stick with them!

2017 Health Goals

1. Reach 150 lbs
2. No Cheats from March 1 - April 19 (bloodwork preparation)
3. Normal Triglyceride Levels for the first time in my adult life (April 2017)
4. Move out of the Obese BMI category (yes, I know BMI is a poor measure of health on an individual level particularly those with high lean body mass, however it is necessary for my skin removal surgery).
5. Reduce Body Fat to 25% or less.
6. Run at least 3 miles a week.
7. Reduce 5k running pace by 4 minutes (10:30 mile)
8. Engage in practice of meditation and gratitude monthly.
9. Wear a bikini in public.
10. Set appointment for skin removal consultation. 

I am trying to work on my well being in a variety of areas, and I encourage others to do the same. New Year's Resolutions (which I HATE) don't always last, but if you make yourself long and short term goals for your health, you can gauge where you are and how long it will take to get to your destination. Not every goal is based on appearance, but they are all measurable. The world will know for sure, if I have hit these goals in 2017 and I am happy to share them here as well. 

For those of you looking for ways to set health goals, consider some of the following tips - 

1. Don't just focus on pounds or kilos. Focus on your WHOLE health picture. 

2. Training and nutrition are a big part of your health - but so is stress management and reduction. Consider a resolution that will bring you peace. 

3. What makes you happy? Resolve to do more of that!

4. What makes you unhappy? Do less! 

5. Think about what you have to GAIN in 2017 rather than what you want to lose. 

With that being said, I am off to fold that mountain of clean laundry next to me, and prepare some goodies for our (small) Christmas Eve celebration! Wishing you all the best weekend ever, and to those of you celebrating, Merry Christmas! (My 4 year old wants to shout out all of our Jewish friends too - so HAPPY HANUKKAH!!!! from Charlie).