It's been awhile...

I know it's been awhile since I last updated, but that doesn't mean that I've necessarily been slacking on my goals to exercise more and eat better.  Overall, I'm still as motivated as I've ever been.

A couple weeks ago I signed up for the about.com 30 day exercise challenge.  It only took me a few days to realize that this wasn't the best idea for me.  I made that decision not because I couldn't do the exercises or anything like that, it's just that I happen to like my own routine.  I go to the gym on Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week.  I plan my meals.  I walk my dog a lot.  I still have homework.  It just didn't work out.

But, I discovered something that is becoming a bit of a personal challenge for me.  On Mondays at my gym there is a thirty minute step aerobics class followed by a fit barre class, which is mostly weight training.  I went once and while it was exhausting, it felt incredible to finish.  I have a sneaky suspicion that I will be attending this class as time allows.

In regards to eating, I am doing well with that also.  The menu planning and grocery list thing is really working out for me.  I plan three dinners for the week, get the groceries for it all, and that usually lasts me at least a week.  My lunches and breakfasts haven't really changed with the exception of fewer granola bars and way more fruits and veggies.

All in all, things are going rather well.

Scale Victory!

I'm not generally one to step on a scale.  Even though I have set these goals, which will be further discussed below, I don't want to stress myself out about how much I weigh and would rather measure my progress with how my clothes fit.  That said, I did step on a scale.  I lost four pounds in the last two weeks.  I call that a victory and am really excited about it.

Because of this scale victory, I figure it might be a good time to publish some of my goals and how I plan on achieving them.  My long-term goal is to lose 60 pounds by Oct 1, 2012.  That equals out to five pounds a month which I think is ambitious but not overly so.  A short term goal that I have is to fit into an older pair of jeans that is one size down from what I'm now wearing by Christmas.  I think that they are both doable.

Currently I am trying to get to the gym three times a week where I do cardio exercises.  Yesterday I incorporated some weight training machines and hope to continue this and try two new machines each time I go.  In terms of calories and diet, I'm not counting calories but I am paying attention to and making food choices based on how many calories there is.  I do think that I'll be counting calories but I'm trying to make changes incrementally so that they stick better.

30 Day Exercise Challenge

I've been doing fairly well with the exercise thing (you know, for all of two weeks now) but I thought that I could still do something to motivate myself a little more.  That said, I signed up for a 30 day exercise challenge through about.com.  It hasn't started yet but, according to the website, they are going to send me an email each day with some sort of stretch, cardio workout, etc that I have to do.  They apparently give several options to choose from each day, but they all have the same goal.

Also, I was successful with making my list and planning my meals.  Yesterday I had grilled pork and grilled asparagus.  Today it is garden vegetable chicken brats and broccoli.  I think that making a list and planning the weeks meals in advance is going to work for me.

One thing I would like to do, however, is to introduce more oatmeal into my diet.  Therefore, I am currently on the lookout for good oatmeal recipes (muffins or whatever) that I can make in batches in advance and then grab and go in the morning on the way to work.