Friday, February 01, 2008

Proud.

It's totally silly, but I am utterly, completely and way-out-of-proportion proud of this:

January.



I set a goal that I would walk 1 mile* every day in January.

I was inspired by something I once read that was attributed to Jerry Seinfeld (although for all I know, it's not original with him.)

Basically, it all about creating an unbroken string of Xs.
Pick a goal, and then just do it.
Every day.
Without fail.

It's all about creating a chain - and then not breaking it.
You can read more about it here...

So anyhow...
I did it.
Some days I did it willingly. Some days, not so much.
And some days? I hated ever single step of the 2,000 steps that I had to take to get it done.

But now?
Now that I see a whole month of Xs?
I'm feeling pretty happy about it.
It was all about getting up, and out, and moving. Getting me closer to that goal of "losing weight and keeping it off..."

On that front, for the month of January I've lost 5 pounds.
In the old days, that news might have really upset me.

That's because in the old days, I could drop that in a week, pretty easily.
Not so much anymore. Pushing 40 is rough!
These days, I'm actually OK with the slowness of it. (which is like meeting both of my goals for the year!)

In the past, it's been about taking weight off as quickly as I can - and really depriving myself in the process.
And no surprise, the weight has always come back.

This time around, I'll be honest... I'm still pretty much eating whatever I want.

The key is that I'm not eating whatever I want every time I want it. And I'm not eating as much of it as I want.
Moderation - what a concept...

This time around, I'm pacing myself to be the tortoise, not the hare.
(Besides, if I drop 20 pounds quickly, then that's just that much longer that I have to maintain it. Which I think is the hard part...)

Hey - if I only lose 1.6 pounds a month, then I'll meet my goal of 20 pounds off *and* maintained at the year's end.
Hee!
Maybe I need to go even more slowly...




*And just so you know, I do realize what a ridonkulously tiny goal this was. But one of the things that I do like about me (not a phrase you see bandied about often here at BFC) is that if I set myself a stupidly tiny goal, not only will I meet it, but I often feel stupid at how attainable it was, and I force myself to keep going. Most days I walked 2 miles or more. But on those days when it was 19°, or when it was raining? I was so glad that all I had to do was a mile...

17 comments:

Debbie D said...

I do not by any means think a goal of walking one mile a day is a silly goal! I think it is a perfect goal to get you moving. Bravo

Autum said...

May the x's be unbroken, by and by Cookie, oh, by and by...

Misty said...

awesome!!! That's 31 miles, which is fantastic!

Hockey Mom said...

Woo hoo! This is not a silly goal! And you should be very proud.

Way to go!

laura capello said...

wow. i think those are the pretties red x's i ever did see.

and 5 pounds? awesome!

normanack said...

I may just have to try that x thing. It is so, so easy to skip my daily walk "just once," and then see that I've missed it five days in a row . . .

Way too cold for me to walk outside, and too snowy and icy (I live on a dirt road) so I've been walking at the mall where I walk faster than all but one or two of the older crowd. (I am 43 and it is galling to be passed by someone in their 70s.)

Good job, and thanks for the x tip!

3 to get ready said...

That is AWESOME! (And also saying something, given some of the weather we've had here lately...)

Don't underestimate that 5 pounds -- maybe next month it'll be 5 more!

You RAWK!

beki said...

Wahoo!!! You're awesome ;-)

Thimbleanna said...

WooHoo!!! Congratulations! I wish I could report such success -- but I've been playing along with the pretty much eating what I want -- only trying to moderate. Have been too afraid to weigh -- I think there's a pound or two gone, but not five! Good For YOU!!!! And I still REALLY want a CUPCAKE LOL!

Big Pissy said...

That is SO awesome! Do you realize how few people would actually follow through with that?

You should be proud of yourself! :)

Anonymous said...

Fantastic! And LOOOOVVEEE your calendar. That's motivation right there. ;)

African Kelli said...

LLA -- way to work the red marker! I love it. You have a goal, you are chasing after it one step at a time and you are now going to be held accountable.
Bravo!

Chara Michele said...

Congrats on reaching your goal! I don't think your goal was silly or too tiny at all... I tend to have a habit of setting ridiculous goals & never living up to them, I really should follow your example and start a bit more realistic. Good job to you! :)

Martha said...

Oh my gosh. I'm going to make that my goal, too. Do you mind if I copy you?

Congrats for reaching your goal. It's very inspiring!

xoxox,
martha

Barb said...

I don't think that's silly at all. I'm inspired by this. Thanks for sharing.

Penny said...

Way to go, keep up the good work!

Elle Jay Bee said...

Way to go!! That's a realistic goal...the type that should work!

BTW, I LOVE your calendar (I'm a huge Christmas Story fan).

Linda