22 Days and Change

I know, I know. It's been awhile, but the working world has taken over by storm and I've had little time to keep up with healthy habits let alone blog about them.  After a much needed weekend getaway with some friends, however, I realized it's time to jump back on the train and get motivated. My friends and I spent the weekend in a rather gluttonous fashion, drinking heavily and eating out every meal in a weekend-long birthday celebration.  On Sunday evening, feeling rather sluggish, we though it was high time to get our butts in gear and hop back on the hot-body train, especially with the holidays right around the corner (read: inevitable weight gain with turkey and stuffing and then holiday cookies and candies and parties).  After all, we still have about a month until holiday parties are in full swing, so why not start now instead of waiting for the morning of January 2nd, where you wake up and have an "oh shit" moment about how far you let yourself go over the holidays.


Thus, the 22 day challenge and change was born. Although there is little scientific proof or support, it is commonly believed that it takes 21-28 days to form a new habit or break an old one.  Most rehab programs and "step" programs are 21-28 days in length.  But, the maximum is almost triple that.  According to PSYBLOG's article on habits, things become as much of a habit as they'll ever become for the individual around 66 days. In any event, my friends and I have devoted the next 22 days to making exercise a habit in an effort to get healthy before the new year, so that 2011 starts off on the right foot, with "change" already underway, be it mentally, physically, emotionally, or a combination of the three. 


day one
I weighed myself this morning; one word: yikes.  I had no idea I had already put on so much weight since starting my job.  Sitting in an office all day long *definitely* does not help (and neither do all of the yummy food options around my office).  We decided that this first week will be four days of intense workouts and three days of lighter workouts, like taking a stroll or the stairs throughout the day.  Since I failed at getting out of bed this AM to workout, keep your fingers crossed that I'll find some time this afternoon to give myself a half hour to sweat it out. 

Bon Appetite

My new favorite "go-to" dinner for those last minute, later dinners after a long day: marinate chicken in italian dressing overnight, grill the next day, cook 1 cup of whole wheat pasta, cut up some fresh cherry tomatoes and basil and voila! A delicious dinner :)
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Blog Software Test

Hi everyone!

One of my friends told me about Ecto, a blogger software, so I'm giving it a try!

I'll have a real update soon :)

I'm Alive, I Swear

Hi Bestlifers!

I know I've been MIA, and I'm sorry for that! I've been insanely busy since graduating with the job hunt and moving back home. Now that I'm all settled, I'll try to *finally* maintain a regular blog schedule.

Also, I'm using this post to give a test run and blogging on the go, via email and my blackberry, allowing me to post great on the go tips for all of you!

Updates to come soon :)
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

New Year's Resolutions

I've never quite understood why we all put ourselves through the torture of coming up with long, unrealistic lists of everything we want to do right this year, molding ourselves into these perfect people. I don't think there is a single year where I can actually say I succeeded in any goal I had set for myself (I mean clearly, I'm still fat--HELLO!) But, as 2009 came to an end, I began to wonder what on earth I would do for 2010 resolutions.

This year, however, I'm not setting myself up for failure. Each of my many goals focus on broad areas I want to fix in my life, similar to the areas discussed here on LMBL--religion, family, health, intellect, etc. Traits or things that will make me the best version of well, me. It is the approach to these goals, however, that are often where we find our downfall.


According to Dr. Pauline Wallin (psychologist), our goals need to be something we really want to achieve, not what we believe society thinks or pressures us into putting for our goals.  She gives the examples of losing weight and quitting smoking as some that people feel compelled to do, but aren't their true hearts desire.

Other experts state that our goals should be attainable, we should hold ourselves accountable, and we should have a strong support system. This helps us all feel like we've accomplished something towards our goals, like taking baby steps.  So, for example, if you want to lose weight (like me) set yourself smaller weekly goals that make up a larger goal. Instead of looking at it like you want to lose 60 lbs. this year, decide that for the month of February you are going to try a new exercise each week, or you're going to drink more water.  These goals are small enough that you can see your progress and make the 60 lbs. closer than before.

One big part of what causes us to break new year's resolutions is the idea that if we mess up one day, everything's out the window. That's just not true! If we slip up a little one day on our goals, just refocus yourself tomorrow. Each day is a start fresh.

My Resolutions

Armed with all of that new knowledge, I made a list of goals for 2010. . .things that I hope over the course of the next 300+ days (we are halfway through february already--yikes!) I will be able to work towards.

1. Renew My Faith– attend church on Sundays, reconciliation monthly, volunteering twice a month, and reaching out to people who I should help more, as well as reflecting on what my religion means
2. Get Healthy– stretching every day, working out at least three times a week, cooking for myself (and finding joy in doing so), drinking more high-quality H20 (particularly before meals), and taking my meds for my PCOS consistently.
3. Adios Negativity–cut out people, places, things, habits that are not good for me and focus on the friends and family who bring joy into my life, practice looking at the glass half full
4. Get Some Money Sense–In the effort to keep learning, I want to understand the market and more economics and business and how everything ties together as well as gain more knowledge about my personal finance and work on a reasonable budget, a savings plan, paying down my self-induced debt, and "sleeping on it" when I'm making decisions about what to buy so I quite impulsively spending $100 on crap from WalMart.
5. Stay Classy–just because I finally got my edumacation, doesn't mean I have to stop learning. I want to keep up reading and attending live concerts, experiencing different things, taking weekend classes, festivals, everything :) and relearning my spanish and starting Chinese! Being cultured and always expanding on your intellectual curiousity can't be a bad thing, right? 

Whew! That seems like a lot, but I'm going to post weekly goals, too, that focus on each of these areas. Remember it's the baby steps. 

What are your resolutions for 2010? Post a comment and share!

How to Make Successful New Year's Resolutions  by eHow
Use Psychology to Make Your 2010 Resolutions Stick by PsychologyToday 
5 Strategies for Successful New Year's Resolutions by that'sfit

I'm Baaaaack

YouTube Life Update for 2010!

Hi best lifers!

Click on the link above, or on the new video of me in the right sidebar for the latest :)

(p.s. anyone know how to get the videos to post directly into this entry? I can't remember how I did it for the single ladies video)