Feb. 1: Einstein's Definition of Insanity

More crazy quotes from Daisy. I LOVE this one by Albert Einstein:

INSANITY: DOING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AND EXPECTING DIFFERENT RESULTS.

This post is for those of us who might be on a plateau, have the scales going opposite of the desired direction, or find their progress occurring slower than expected. If you keep doing the same thing, you have to expect the same results!

If things aren't going the way you want them to, then you have to shake it up. Examine what you have been doing and be critical. You may find you were slacking on a particular macronutrient. You may find you aren't giving your all to your workouts. You may find you have been doing absolutely nothing technically "wrong" but you just aren't reaching your goals.

Here are a few ways to shake things up:

1.) Change your ratio of macronutrients. Some people go for a 33/33/33 split between protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. Others are 40/40/20. Play around with it and make a change from what you have been doing. Different bodies respond to different things. It could be a hormonal issue, an exercise issue - any number of things. Don't be afraid to shake things up with your diet! Give it at least 2 weeks to see if your change is working.

2.) Shake up your workout! I have been plodding along for the last month, putting in my time on the bike/ elliptical like it is a prison sentence. This is NOT getting me anywhere. So today I began a new program of HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training). I am also doing push ups and crunches in a quick secondary workout. I am worth 30 full minutes a day of intense effort! Consider adding HIIT to your cardio routine, join a group class, get a new DVD for a type of exercise you have never tried before, or add heavy weights to your routine.

3.) Greatly increase your water consumption. Figure out how much water you are consuming on an average day. If it is reasonable, then add a liter. (That is one of my goals for the month.)

4.) Examine the previous month and see where your planning could have been better. Then instantly resolve to find a solution for the future. My example of this was my doctor's appointment. I have resolved not to leave the house even for an hour without one more water bottle and snack than I expect to need.

5.) Research! Read everything you can get your hands on about successful people. See what they are doing that is different from what you are doing. Try one of their tips for a couple of weeks and see if it makes a difference for you.

6.) Create a vision board! How can you get to where you want to be without having a clear picture of where that is? I am working on two vision boards for myself: one is professional and the other is health and fitness related. Paste on workouts, bodies that correspond with your goals and favorite healthy foods. Maybe add some vacation brochures and rewards you plan to give yourself, as well as some photos of goal outfits you want to wear. I'll post my boards when they are finished.

I hope this has given you some ideas on some ways to shake things up this month. Personally, I plan to ROCK February!

Dec 31 - Bring on 2010!!!

I'm ready!!! This past year was not a good one for our family. The next one is going to be my best, healthiest year ever. Tomorrow I am writing a detailed plan, but for today I'd like to publish my general goals for the year:

1.) Break things down week by week - each week I am going to make a list of mini goals to help me get to my bigger goals. Expect that list on Sunday of each week
2.) Keep eating clean - that is the best thing that has ever happened to me
3.) Help my kids embrace a clean lifestyle - one of my kids could be a bit healthier and I know this is the road for her if I can get her on board
4.) Get my finances in order - I've gone into massive debt to open my store - I need to come up with some additional income to pay off debt and get out from under some of it
5.) Submit a minimum of one magazine article per month - I always said I wanted to be a writer and had some success in the past but this year I am going to make that dream a reality. This is going to be the year that I can say I am a freelance writer.
6.) Continue this blog - writing down my failures and successes helps me more than I ever thought it would. It keeps me accountable and helps me not to make the same mistakes over and over
7.) Embrace fitness! I want to get back to the point where my body craves activity. I was there just a year and a half ago. I know I can get that feeling again.
8.) Incorporate activity into our family life - This year I want us to have active weekends: the indoor water parks (all those stairs), hiking, white water rafting, swimming, indoor rock walls, museums and nature centers. Ontario is full of all sorts of wonderful active things I can do with my kids!
9.) Become more active in our church community - We joined a church in August after my father passed away - it was the last thing he asked of me. He was so wise. I feel happy and recharged every Sunday. I want to incorporate that into my daily life a little more by becoming more active in the community. I'm considering home visits or something along those lines.


So there is the outline! This is my new life. Tomorrow, while all the kids are sleeping I'm going to put it in the format of a business plan - my new LIFE PLAN!!!!