A New Nourishing Plan 11/2011
It's a new phase of this journey for me. I have yet to sit down to figure out what my guiding thoughts are during this phase. I've come through a difficult year physically that challenged me to think deeply about my path of healing. Wellness is being redefined as I rework my life to heal from a debilitating bout with Lyme Disease. I'm thinking about how my nourishment functions as nutrition as well as medicine. I'm taking my mindfulness practice to a new level with intentional cooking and mindful eating. I'm alkalizing my body and reaping the many benefits of living a cleansed life. I'm not sure what my specific goals will be yet. I know that the scope of my current path is broader and more holistically encompassing of all of the parts of myself that need to be reconnected to wellness. To the mind, body, spirit, and heart!
Kaia F.I.T Winter Brik Goals 1/2011
(Goals set for the 6-week Kaia F.I.T. Winter Brik)Goal #1: No eating after 7
How:
I need a nighttime plan of action (or inaction as the case may be) for the urge to snack. I'm going to try creating a self-soothing box of things that I can use to help lull me to sleep and avoid the snack attack. Getting to sleep earlier should help (when practicable.) Perhaps a warm cup of herbal tea sweetened with stevia will help as well. This strategy will need to be revisited as I learn new things about how these urges work.Why:
I'm sure there is a perfectly reasonable, scientifically valid, nutritionally supported, medically sound reason for this guideline; but for the life of me I don't know what it is. I'm sure it has something to do with the way the body processes (or doesn't process) food during the sleep/rest cycle. Maybe it has to do with a change in the metabolic rate during sleep. Maybe it makes you really hungry so you don't hit snooze, oversleep, and miss the 5:30 am Brik; I don't really know. I'll be sure to inquire of some enlightened souls for clarity about his seemingly impossibly difficult guideline.Notes:
When I read this guideline in the Brik Manual I was almost ready to quit on the spot. Then I remembered that I'm already committed to the team and not ready to give up over a number. I've been working on getting things in my life in order on all levels, from what I eat to living a more conscious life, but 7pm?!? One thing I have discovered since I started down this path in May is that I get the nightime snackies that just kill me unless I feed them. (Okay, maybe they haven't killed me, seeing as how I'm still here, but they threaten to!) When I'm laying in bed at night feeling satisfied that I've met my exercise and calorie goals and done a good deed or two, it hits me... I NEED CARBS! I try to fall asleep before the urge drags me out of bed and to the kitchen in search of something to shut that damn urge up. This is really going to be a BIG goal for me to reach for. In fact, I feel like I'm most certainly going to have to ask for divine forgiveness even before I begin because.... 7pm, really?!?
Goal #2: Physical Metrics Improvements
How:
Achieve the following metrics improvements in 6 weeksWhy:
A. Lose 10 pounds
B. Do 15 push ups
C. Reduce time for skier abs to 3 minutes
Notes:
Much of the work I started out doing when I started on this path in May was related to weight loss. This is still my overarching goal, but I now see it as just a side effect of falling in love with watching myself progress physically. I have really enjoyed watching muscles form where I never noticed them before and noticing that I can now jog a bit easier and for longer when I do treadmill intervals. Weight loss has happened on it's own without any worry from me as I have kept striving for that next milestone, however small. So now it's maybe time for me to really focus on some of those milestones ahead of me now.
Goal #3: Stay aware and present when working with the group
How:
I'm setting my intention here to be a compassionate, open, honest, kind, supportive person while working side by side with the Kaia team. I'm committed to making a practice of bringing mindfulness to my thoughts and emotions so that I can stay present and aware of the experience. I am committed to noticing the things that get in the way of my effectiveness in group work such as judgments about myself and others that leads me to retract and not offer myself fully to the group.Why:
I'm aware of my tendency to retract in groups and "stand on the sidelines" when the group-dynamic feels tense, competitive, not supportive, or not compassionate. My intention is to offer everything I have to contribute to a positive group dynamic for this Winter Brik.Notes:
By nature I'm a pretty introverted person. (INTP is my meyers-briggs type indicator if you're into that sort of thing.) I am very independent in the way do things, making it difficult sometimes to feel like I'm an integrated part of the group. I also have a sensitive streak that makes it difficult for me to feel comfortable in a group situation that doesn't feel entirely compassionate and kind. I don't like competition and if I feel like I'm having to prove myself to someone, I tend to let them "win" in order to avoid feelings of inner conflict. I thrive in group situations where the intention of the group is tuned to be cooperative and focused on supportive encouragement. I'm working through many of my personal barriers (such as self-judgement) and developing positive traits (such as compassionate sensitivity) and want to use this as an opportunity to do just that while working in the Winter Brik.
The "OG" Original Goals 5/2010
(Original Goals set with personal trainer John O'Donnell at the beginning of training sessions in May 2010)Goal #1
I want to ride my bike to work and the store on a regular basis without becoming exhausted. I miss riding a bike. Bike riding was my favorite activity when I lived in California. I loved seeing places you don't see from the car. I loved the freedom of going wherever I wanted, even off the paved road. I'd love to do this again.
1. Begin by coming to the gym and keeping appointments.
Goal #2
I want to have strong arms that look good when I wear a tank top. I don't want to compare myself to an unattainable image, but I love the look of strong arms. I want to show off my arms and not be ashamed of the scars. I want to wear a tank top again and feel good about myself in one!!
1. Remembering that what you've done and where you've been if a healthy and real reminder of where you are headed today.
Goal #3
I want to lose 100 pounds and be closer to my ideal weight. I notice that I'm afraid to set big goals because it feels like I am more likely to fail. The thought of not setting any goals certainly feels easier, but will likely lead to no change from how things are now. The milestones are going to be very important for me, especially when the goals feel so big.
1. Results take time to measure.
2. Everything that you do or don't do is an investment of and for today... all that is required is to try!
Goal #4
I want to feel less aches and pains from tension and stress. I want to feel less aches and pains in my joints and arches of my feet. I spend so much time in my chair at work, not moving, and being stressed. I liked how my neck and back felt when I was exercising them in physical therapy. I felt less pain over time and slept better.
1. Find inserts to fit shoes to support the arches.
2. BREATHE!
Goal #5
I want to keep my blood sugar and blood pressure at healthy levels. I don't want to give into hopeless thinking that getting diabetes is inevitable. I want to stay as healthy as possible for as long as possible. I want to have a healthy way of life both mentally and physically. I want to find balance in the things I do in this life: in my mind, with my weight, with what I eat, and in the things I do.
1. Exercise and healthy eating habits.
