So, as an update … I have been trying SO hard on my last resolutions. I’ve been consistently blogging at least once per week since I launched, so that’s great! I really have brought my focus to eating out less. But the whole once-per-week situation is a lot harder than I thought it would be! I was pretty successful however, at only one lunch and one dinner per week. My bank account has definitely thanked me for it.

I’ve been very good about tracking what I eat, but what I feel has made an even bigger difference, is the fact that I cut meat out of my diet [for the time-being]. I actually feel lighter, without all that heavy food weighing me down after every meal.

so, in march

I’m trying to focus also on being relevant. I definitely want to keep this blog updated, but I don’t want to write just for the sake of having something to post. Must go through half-written drafts because there’s good stuff in there. [was that a resolution? I'm not sure.]

I want to try to stop substituting cheese for meat in my diet. Part of what I love about not eating meat is I feel like I can enjoy real cheese without the consequence of a zillion extra calories. Which isn’t really true. I mean, I like that I have extra room in my diet for a slice of real white cheddar [instead of Kraft 2% American singles], since fewer calories are taken up by meat. But I need to not make it a habit to use cheese as the focus of meals. I really enjoy hummus/beans/nuts/legumes/tofu/seafood and need to make the most of those items.

I found out that my blood pressure is way too high. As much as I love my job, it keeps me glued to my desk, which is so not good. I need to introduce physical activity back into my life. I HATE gyms. With a passion. I want to get my activity outside. But I also HATE being cold. Un problemo in a northern Nevada winter. I am resolving to get SOME TYPE of physical activity every day, even if I only have time for 10 minutes [which, let's face it, can't we always make time for a 20 minute walk?] This post by Erica Prather talks about how incredibly amazing our bodies are and what we can do with them and why we shouldn’t treat them like crapola. So I’m not going to anymore.

so … how are your goals coming?

Did you make resolutions at the beginning of the year? Have you stuck with them? Or do you prefer more manageable mini-goals? How are they going? Are you checking in and holding yourself accountable? I’m certainly trying to!!

I guess I can’t be awesome at everything all the time. While work like went swimmingly, I was a total loser last week about my resolutions. I failed last week because:

• I ate two lunches and one dinner out. Which is not the end of the world, I know. But it’s two more than I promised myself I would.
• I completely didn’t track what I ate at all. This is where I really let myself down, because I know that this is the one area I can really control. That said, I am proud to say that as of Saturday, I’ve been tracking and eating healthfully.

I really wanted to put this out there right now, because if I wait until March 1, I’m leaving the rest of the month open to remain noncommittal with my goals. And then it’ll be even harder for me to press on. And I really think I can do this. If one month is still to long for me, I’ll do it in weeks. So here’s to a week of much healthier eating.

how are your resolutions going?

What did you resolve to do at the beginning of the month or year? How is it going? What helps you stay on track?

photo credit: weheartit

I am hoping that if I put this in writing, maybe I’ll make a genuine effort.

Somehow, in all of my bike-riding glory, I made it up in my head that I don’t have to eat right.  I do this all the time.  When I was swimming twice a week, those were the days I was allowed to indulge.  For some reason in my head it’s always either exercise or eating right.  Never both and I have no idea why.

Overall I am a generally healthy eater.  Lots of fruits and vegetables, lean protein like fish or chicken, etc. etc.  When family comes to town, it’s license to eat like shit.  In fact, family gatherings of all kinds tend to revolve around food.  I don’t think all families are like this, but mine definitely is.  Not that this is a bad thing.

So, after talapia tacos on Thursday night (a la me, so they were pretty healthy); Bully’s on Friday night; burgers, brats, pasta salad, cookies, beer and various other BBQ staples on Saturday; Nu Yalk Pizza on Sunday night; Panda Express on Monday night; and Capriotti’s [insert Homer-Simpson-drooling-over-food sound byte here] last night, I feel like I should be eating salads for every meal for at least two weeks.

But I know I won’t do that.  There is some kind of “well I have already screwed up for the week” mentality which keeps me eating that way for several days.  And yes, I am VERY aware of the shocking amount of junk food I just described.

Somehow the days always start off well.  Breakfast is easy: honey bunches of oats with light soy milk and a banana or some combo of fruit and fat free yogurt.

Lunch is easy most of the time, too.  A Lean Cuisine and some carrots or bell pepper.  Unless someone mentions lunch out.  It’s dinner that gets me in trouble.  I am weak.  Boyfriend mentions [insert terribly high-calorie fast food here] and I’m all over it.

Just need to get it through my head that my three miles a day on the bike is NOT a substitute for working out!  Don’t get me wrong.  I am thrilled with myself for riding to work all the time (rode three days in a row and it’s not even Bike to Work Week anymore) and totally loving it!  But that should not give me permission to eat whatever I want.  And from this point forward I need to have the will power to keep that in my mind. We’re cooking dinner tonight, dammit.

The worst part: I actually really like healthy food.  Vegetables taste GREAT!  Fruit is like one of my favorite things to eat.  IT SHOULD NOT BE THIS HARD.

I’m going to an Aces game tomorrow night (yes, my first) where I will probably have a hot dog and a copious amount of beer.  I will plan for it.  I will not make that let me eat junk today.  Already had my healthy breakfast and have a Lean Cuisine in the freezer for lunch.  I can do this.  I can be someone who eats right and has an active lifestyle at the same time.