Baby Steps Towards Achieving My Goals

Last week I shared my 2015 resolutions with you guys and truthfully, that in itself was a big deal. Not only do I not typically make annual goals, but if I do, I rarely share the important ones on the blog. Why? I’m not sure. Perhaps it’s a fear of failure? If I publicize the goal and it doesn’t happen, what then?

Regardless, I did share my goals for the new year, and now I’m taking some baby steps to ensure that I actually accomplish them. After all, going from couch to 55k is a bit unreasonable, amiright? But, setting smaller goals along the way makes the grander objective seem much more attainable.

Goal #1: Get My Eating in Order

When my resolution post was shared on my new Facebook page, a reader pointed how vague this goal was. At first, I wanted to be sassy. But then, I realized he was totally right. Dammit.

Of the group, this goal is my least favorite and the most difficult for me. Why? Because I just want to eat all the things! I am not good at food restriction, especially when I’m eliminating foods that I like. Yes, it’s for my body and I realize that breathing is a critical component of a healthy life, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it!

{If you’re not up-to-date on my food issues in regards to asthma, here’s a timeline.}

As a result, I’ve struggled to reign in my eats. I’m not an unhealthy eater by any means, but there is a slew of healthy foods that still irritate my lungs. Greek yogurt. Honey Stingers waffles. Regular milk. Various types of whole-grain crackers. The list goes on for a bit and it’s really just trial-and-error. And annoying. Sure, I felt great when I was doing the Whole 30 and eliminating absolutely anything processed, but I can’t live that way. Baby steps.

So, what are my baby steps and how am I “getting my eating in order?”

• Realize that my habits won’t be perfect, but try to cut the irritating foods down to one or two per day
• Save the “cheat” meals for when I eat out with friends or family. {I hate the expression ‘cheat meal’ btw. It makes it sound like I’m doing something inherently wrong.} It’s easy enough to cook non-irritating meals at home, so I save the full blown, throat-closing meals for fun nights out on the town. Go big or go home, right?
• Honestly reassessing my running fuel. This one is taking a bit of time and I’ve had to eliminate some of my favorites. I’ll chat more about this one in the coming weeks

Goal #2: Move More

Wearing the Garmin vívofit has been interesting! Like I mentioned last week, I exercise plenty but I’m learning that I go for long periods of time without moving around and that can’t be healthy for me. Additionally, I’m realizing how tricky it can be to get 10k steps in during the day if I don’t run or snowshoe. In fact, I actually had a hard time getting my steps in the other day when I went to CrossFit! Sure, I lifted heavy and did enough pull-ups to make my shoulders hurt for three days, but I barely hit 8k steps. What the what?!

Again, baby steps are helping me “move more” in the new year.

• Anytime the vívofit goes red, notifying me that I’ve been sedentary for too long, I get up and walk around the house. I sometimes pick up things, other times I’ll check the mail. It’s made me think of my body as a car sitting in your garage. If it sits there for too long, the oil and whatnot gets all gooey in the pipes, you know? {Was that a terrible simile?!}
• Walk Tals more frequently. This one has been a win-win for the two of us! As she gets older, Baby Girl can’t handle the long runs anymore and walks are sometimes better. I try to get her out daily which gets her moving and helps me up my daily footsteps.

Goal #3: Finish the 55k With a Smile

Gah. Y’all heard how I am getting my butt handed to me by my latest attempts at a long run, right? Yesterday’s run was no different as I completely slid out on some mud and fell hard, smacking my knee on a boulder as I went down. Needless to say, I hobbled home and my long run has yet to happen.

Sigh.

More than anything, I feel like baby steps have been key for this goal. Sure, I’m complaining that I have yet to conquer the 17-miler, but that distance seemed completely unattainable 8 weeks ago. Every week has built upon the last and I do think I will be able to finish all 34 miles {relatively} happy. How am I breaking it down in my mind?

• Run 2-3 times per week with one long run. When you think of it that way, it’s nothing!
• Foam roll daily. Easy peasy– I do it while watching TV.
• Continue strength training at CrossFit as often as I can manage. No pressure and I enjoy it!
• Drink water to avoid my perpetual state of dehydration
• Set an operational goal for the race. Again, another FB fan gave me this idea and I like it! She did a marathon by running 9 minutes, walking one minute, even at the beginning when it felt easy. Allowing herself to break the hours up into small increments made the whole distance manageable.

Goal #4: 100k in Elevation Gain

Oddly enough, this seems to be the goal that everyone tells me will be difficult but I honestly think it’s the easiest of the bunch! Besides, did y’all see this skier who is closing in on 2 million feet of vert in a year?! If he can do 2 million, I can do 100k!

For me, this comes down to two baby steps:

• Wear my GPS watch on all excursions so I don’t have to add up the vertical gain later
• Cover 2,000 feet per week. If I go over, that’s fine, but never drop below 2,000 feet each week. And trust me– Colorado running and hiking makes that an easy weekly goal!

Stay tuned– in the coming weeks, there will be a vívofit and a $100 Whole Foods gift card up for grabs!

********************