Wednesday, December 2, 2009

End of 2009- Goals!

If you have not had a chance to check out my giveaway, go for it!

With November behind me, I thought I'd check in to see how I did with my goals...

#1- Yoga Challenge- 10 minutes of yoga every day.
This goal was a bit ambitious for me, but I did end up doing 10 minutes of yoga approx. 5 days a week until I got H1N1 and then obviously things slid a bit from there. While I did not exactly get to 10 minutes every day, I did learn a couple of great things from this challenge. For the first time I did yoga without a class or a dvd some days and I just made it up as I went along. It was nice to just do what I felt like sometimes. Secondly, one of the things I loved about this challenge is that 10 minutes of yoga is really just 10 minutes. I could do this in my pajamas right when I woke up, or right before dinner while something was cooking. Unlike normal work outs, it did not require changing, showering etc. This really encouraged me to include more short, non-sweaty strength work outs into my daily routine. And, of course...more yoga!

#2- Bike 200 miles by 2010.
Technically in order to reach this goal, I was supposed to do 100 miles in the month of November. I was on track to do this with no problem, except that I got the flu and ended up missing almost two full weeks of cardio. This meant I only got in 60 miles in the month of November. I still have high hopes that I will be able to make it to 200 by 2010 if I really step it up for the month of December. I'm just hoping my body, particularly my immune system, is on board for this challenge. I'll keep you updated...

Now that I am finally better (with the exception of my sleep patterns being totally off, leaving me exhausted) I am hoping for December to be a bit healthier of a month for me. My goals for December include:

#1- Core Challenge
In short, 4 core exercises, 4 times per week for the month of December.
Visit Monday's post for more information on this challenge.

#2- Bike 200 miles by 2010
Even though I am a bit behind on this challenge I still think it's possible (assuming I remain healthy) to complete this challenge by 2010. I will basically have to attend at least 2 spinning classes per week, and possibly do a small amount of supplemental biking on my own. I definitely get a lot more miles in during a spin class so hopefully I'll be able to get to those as often as possible.

#3- New Breakfast Ideas
I am very loyal to my early morning oatmeal, but I have to admit I am getting a little sick of it and have been resorting to quick, but not as healthy breakfast choices lately...such as bagels with cream cheese. I really want to come up with some new breakfast ideas this month and post about them. If you have any suggestions, please let me know...

#4- Implement Bill Paying Thursday
Okay, I may have just invented that name myself and it's not creative at all BUT I really want to dedicate 10-15 minutes per week that I deal with my fiances. I will pay any bills that are due, look at all accounts and budgets, move around money that needs to be moved (don't ask- I always have to move money around for some reason haha). I am hoping that dedicating 10-15 minutes that it has to be done each week, I will eliminate the feeling like I am constantly dealing with my bank accounts in one way or another. If you have ever done something like this before I'd love for you to post any strategies or suggestions you have. I was thinking about making a list of things that may have to be done in a given month and then every Thursday I'll quickly run through the list to check if I need to do that particular thing that week. For example, heating bill, move money into savings etc.

I'll keep you posted during the month to see how I am doing. I hope everyone is having a great Hump Day!

18 comments:

  1. It's so great to have so many goals and fitness challenges... definitely keeps us on our toes! I think next time I'll participate in the Yoga challenge :)

    As for breakfast ideas... I'm having fibre+ waffles every day lately. I can't help it, it's like i'm addicted... with PB and jam. Just to tell you how hooked I am, if I wake up and I have none left... I actually go to the store :|

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  2. I didn't feel like doing a yoga DVD or yogadownload the other day so I just did my own thing and I ended up doing it for 20 minutes and it was GREAT!!

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  3. Sounds like some well-rounded goals.

    I hear you on getting bored with oatmeal. I like yogurt mixed with fruit (apple or berries) and all bran buds.

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  4. Breakfast...my favorite meal EVER. Here are a few creations I like.

    Oatmeal spruced up with some banana and apple pie spice, and a stevia/sweet and low.

    Cereal, preferably cheerios, kashi or rice krispies with yogurt and a little bit of milk. GREAT mess of goodness.

    Peanut butter toast with sliced banana going lengthwise and cinnamon and raisins.

    Whole wheat tortilla with peanut butter and banana lightly toasted on stove.

    Hope this sounds good! :)

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  5. I love oatmeal and all it's wonderful creations but still can't have it everyday - I love switching it up with cereal, fruit, yogurt and granola. eggs and english muffins!

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  6. English muffin with peanut butter, banana, yogurt with granaola, egg/english muffin sandwich.. smoothie with different fruits/yogurt

    Finances.. we pay everything online. we also have money moved automatically on certain days to pay our mortgage. so we have it set up so my student loans come out in the beginning of the month, dh's at the end.. mortgage in the middle.. and our other bills are split through out the month as well so we don't have all of them due at once..

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  7. I've definitely found myself in the "breakfast rut" many times.. I recommend KERF's pumpkin pancakes:

    http://www.katheats.com/?page_id=447

    and April's french toast!

    http://foodsofapril.com/?p=544

    there's tons of healthy breakfast recipes out there -- just takes a little web browsing :) can't wait to see what you create!

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  8. My fav breakfast of late has been a piece of whole wheat toast topped with baby spinach and 1 soft cooked egg + 1 egg white. Soo good...and pretty easy to do if you cook the eggs in the microwave.
    Great goals btw...

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  9. Every Sunday I do my grocery shopping, pay bills, and update my budget. Now that I typed that, I am reminded of my dad, who does the same (except for grocery shopping). geez.

    For a while there, I was eating 2 or 3 egg whites (depending on my morning workout), with 1/2 banana, and 1 piece of toast with peanut butter for breakfast. I haven't in a couple weeks due to time crunches, but it's my favorite!

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  10. I love how you set these goals for yourself! I need to take a cue from you and do the same...

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  11. Thank you so much for visiting my blog! I'm so glad you brought me, in turn, to your fabulous blog! Your goals are so inspiring, and I love all the breakfast creation ideas your breakfast quest inspired!

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  12. Oh I like the Bill Paying Thursday idea.

    As for breakfasts, I've been making Steel Cut oats lately, and I've been making about 4 servings worth a head of time, so I have it ready each morning. It's so addicting, with peanut butter and pumpkin! I'm about to make it right now :)

    Have a great day! Glad you're back to 100%.

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  13. nice goals! and good job with sticking with them so far, i hope you get to get out there and bike a lot.. so far the weather is holding up fairly well!
    as far as bill paying goes- i have a calender and every month as soon as i get a bill in the mail or online, i mark it on the calender on the due date and how much and to whom.
    it helps because sometimes if i use my credit card before the due date- i can adjust how much to pay based on when i get paid, etc.
    i havent had to borrow moolah to cover the basics in over 3 years- save for the one time my lights got shut off (but i blame that on my dear other half- he was tossing those bills out and told me they were paid. yea.. he paid for that one in more than one way! lol)

    i wish i had time to have more creative breakfasts like everyone else, ive been taking to shoveling food at 7:50 in order to get to work on time.. you know.. eating while I'm drying my hair (dont ask how that works..haha)

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  14. I like your goals! I need to sit down and think of mine as well. Because I only get paid once a month, I have to really allocate everything or else there can be trouble. At the beginning of the month I go through all my spendings and make sure I keep every receipt to stay on track!
    I'm so sorry to hear you got very sick, and I'm glad that you are doing better.

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  15. lol i am always moving money around too. i hate having it sit in my checking account doing nothing! good luck in the home stretch with your goals - i know you will give the biking your all!

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  16. So ambitious! I like the bill idea, too! That's my plan for tomorrow : )

    Good luck with meeting your goals, they look tiring but rewarding!

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  17. Looks like it's going to be a busy month for you! Great ideas. I especially like the strengthening your core ones. I really need to do the same. Perhaps a January challenge for me!

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  18. Fav brekkie for me is a homemade McMuffin....english muffin, egg beaters, peameal bacon, cheese.

    I actually have a tiny frying pan that cooks a perfectly sized egg "patty" to fit perfectly on the english muffin...YUM!

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