Making a happy new year

I've decided that 2010 will be the year that I take more responsibility for things. Specifically, myself. More specifically, my physical, mental and emotional health. In other words, my happiness. While I know not all my happiness in the world can be found in good health, I feel like it is a good way to start. I've spent much more of my life being unhealthy (and perhaps consequently unhappy) than the opposite. Consider it an experiment.

I am a personal trainer. In theory, I get paid (occasionally) to motivate people to improve their physical fitness. So why can't I motivate myself? Excellent question to which I honestly don't have an answer. Therefore, we move on...Perhaps the journey will reveal some answers?

At my last physical (my first in a really long time) my cholesterol came back high. 242 high. My LDL level is 139 - under 100 is considered normal. I was given 3 months to try to change the number with diet and exercise. The first month has past. It was December. So, I have 2 months before my next appt. 8 weeks. I know from experience the physical change that can occur in 8 weeks. I've done it before, under the direction of an amazing trainer and friend. Now, I will try to do it again with no one but myself to prescribe the exercise and nutritional boundaries. This is in no way the complete journey - these are short term goals with measurable results. There will be more work to be done after these 8 weeks.

My 8 week goals are as follows:

Improve my LDL reading. I honestly don't know what is realistic, so we'll just say improve to the point of convincing my dr that I don't need to start medication.

Lose 30 pounds. That is a lofty goal. That is over 4 pounds a week on average. I currently weigh 201. I've never admitted that before. Ugh. Moving on...

Lose 5" from my body. This includes waist, arms, thigh and hips. Current #'s (I can't believe I'm sharing this....) waist 38 3/8, arm 14, hips 45 1/2, thing 28. Double ugh.

How I plan to achieve my goals:

At least 30 minutes of cardio exercise everyday. Strength training 2-3 x a week.

Cut calories. Journal food intake.

(Note: 1 pound = 3500 calories. Therefore, I must create a 3500 calorie deficiency for every pound I want to lose. Calorie deficiency is created by using more calories than I take in.)

This blog. I will journal my food and exercise each day for the previous day. So tomorrow, you will see what I did today...Hopefully it will help keep me motivated and honest knowing that 3 people are tracking my efforts.

Tracking:

I will weigh myself every Friday morning.

Measurements will be taken on Feb 26. My blood will actually be drawn on Feb 25.

I think I will end each blog entry with a reason why I am on this journey.

Reason #1 - I hate usually being the biggest person in my boot camp classes.