"Challenges" for the new year...

Yes, I am aware it isn't even December yet, but I feel motivated to set goals at this very moment. haha

I just started on a new weight loss website called "Calorie Count" and it focuses on calorie intake versus calorie output. I think I like this better than Weight Watchers, thus Weight Watchers is no longer in the works. In the past, I tend to starve myself when I am counting calories, so I pose this as my first challenge/goal:

#1. Eat 1500 cals on days when exercised, and 1300 on days without exercise.

The calorie calculator on the site says I should be getting in around 1400 cals per day in order to lose 2 lbs a week, so those goals should be just about right. It is going to be challenging for me to not go below my recommended calories for the day so I am kind of excited to see if I can actually do this without losing my mind in the process.

#2. Go to the gym MINIMUM 3 days per week; Weight lifting - min. 2 days per week

With the exercise, I am going to do what I had planned on doing these past three months, I am going to schedule my workouts into my life like a course I am taking at school. It will just be part of my weekly routine to get to combat class every Wednesday night, for example.

#3. Eat a more balanced diet; ie. eat more protein and veggies, substitute fruit for junk.

I have found that this term I have been eating like shit. I am either eating only negative calorie foods, with no concept at all for nutritionally based meals, or I am binging on junk food and then not eating dinner because I've gone over my calories for the day. It turns out that my last blood test came back saying that my hemoglobin is low, which is a sign of anemia. This makes a lot of sense because I feel like shit all the time and I sleep constantly cause I am so tired, not to mention I never eat meat or drink milk and it hasn't been sunny for weeks, so I am not getting very much iron or vitamin D in my diet. As a partial goal,3i)becoming non-anemic would be good.

#4. Doing something that is outside of my comfort zone at least once a week.

This can be going to a spin class (which I detest because I feel I am not in good enough shape to do it), volunteering to present first in class, taking a music lesson, singing for friends, giving up my seat on the bus and having to stand, etc. Just something to stop my life from becoming complacent.

#5. Live life more authentically.

I live by this already, I just don't always put it into practice. What I mean is, doing what you say, and saying what you mean. Being fully honest to yourself and others. Obviously, you need to use your judgment, it isn't an excuse to be rude or harsh, just truthful. I think being more mindful in general would help accomplish this.

#6. Be 140lbs by my birthday on May 20th, 2010.

#7. Follow through with my goals.

I think this one is the most important. I have a tendency to make goals all the time and go hardcore for a week and then stop. I need to make these things habits. I read some where it takes 21days to form a habit. So if I can stick to my new healthy way of eating, and counting calories for 21days, then it should be easy to keep doing it. I think the first month is going to be a huge focus for me. Actually, I think what I am going to do is re-evaluate my goals and celebrate my successes at the beginning of every month, just as a new set point to stay on track. Earlier this year I managed to go to the gym almost every day, and write down every thing I ate for a month, then my depression hit and I fell off the wagon hard and took months to get back on.

#8. Do everything in my power to not let my winter depression set in (Februaryish)

This means taking my meds a prescribed, going to therapy, getting out in the sun or taking vitamin d pills, getting to the gym regularly and eating well. Also, keeping a regular sleep routine. I think I am going to take to my psychiatrist about what more I could be doing to stop it. This will be the key to keeping #1-7.

Maybe that is enough for now. Since I made these goals a month before the official start date, I think I am going to attempt to start them now. Also, I am going to put a lot of planning into it so that I don't go into it half-hazardly.

Any goals for the new year yet?