Week one of my fitness challenge with close friends is coming to a close.  I love challenges and this is the perfect challenge for me because I can set my own goals and needs while receiving support from friends.

In the past I’d set challenges I dreamed but were not reality.  My plans for accomplishing my goals were loose at best.  By the end of the challenge I’d be frustrated and wondering what happened.

I have a few more years of experience and failures under my belt when setting goals for this challenge.  Short and simple.

• Lose 5% of my start weight (for the challenge). This equals approximately 10 pounds.  It will definitely put me back under 200 pounds which I have been work at since the fall.
  
  
• Cook dinner 3 days a week.  My work schedule is crazy and I get in a bad habit of takeout salad bar.  I know I can cook more and make batches of meals with leftovers.  This will also encourage easy recipe creations.
  
  
• Track food daily.  Since stopping Weight Watchers last year I’ve struggled with portions.  I enjoy the Lose It! app because adding the calories for me to help prevent obsession with them again. 

• Workout 4-5 days a week.  Six or seven days would be my ideal world but realistically 4 days is normal and 5 days is a good week.  Workouts are pushing myself to be proud not pushing myself to be dead.

This week has been difficult with the flu visiting our house.  I did eat at home; thank God for eggs.  And I did get in workouts after Hunni was resting and on his way to health.  But I need to get my mind in the right frame.

One big example of this is with running.  My favorite spring race is the Hartford Quarter Marathon.  I was so proud running that race and training for it.

I’m still on the mailing list for the running club and dream of running this race again.  Yet it’s almost time and I feel like a cat lives in my throat.  Scratchy, itchy and constantly drinking water to help swallow.  Lots of allergy medications, an air purifier and my afternoon naps make life livable.

As much as I’d love to run this race or any spring race (and probably summer races too) I’m not up for it.  Well maybe if someone will buy me one of these. 

(Allergy runner)

Momma offered but I’d feel a little Hannibal Lecter-ish.  That’s all I can see in this photo…although I’m sure it works fabulously.  I’m not out to set records or make the Olympic team so I’m a treadmill runner.  Not too bad, I actually like the treadmill. 

In the meantime I’ve found other things I’ve loved to do for workouts.  My Nike Training Club app kicks my butt with weight training and circuits.  I could barely move my bum after one workout.  Zumba is a workout I can do on days I need to take it easy with allergies or step it up for a higher calorie burn.  And Sunday community yoga is the stretch I need to pull it all together. 

Now that the workouts are together it’s time to work on the food.  But in 90 days I’ll be feeling fabulous and keep going.