Need to Re-Focus

It's a beautiful, 74 degree sunny December day (in NC mind you!  Didn't win the lottery and visit FL haha), and I find myself home alone, off work early, and with a moment of quiet and a mind that is itching to write.  The hammock has been put away for winter storage, so instead of setting myself in it's roped comfort to sway suspended in the air, I settle for my spot on my bed. I'd open the window for a breeze, but the Christmas lights are up and blocking that from happening.  So I pretend...

The next couple of weeks are going to be very busy.  I work basically 9 days straight to compensate for some vacation time that I'm taking in order to visit Dad and Meghan for Christmas :)  I think we are all excited about the visit -- Dad contacts me every day to give me the updated countdown lol.  But I have a lot to accomplish in these 9 working days.  I've got 6 different baked goods to prepare for goodie baskets as Christmas gifts.  I've got a hair appointment for a new look.  I've got to pack (blech!).  I've also got to spend some quality time focusing on my goals and staying on track.

I've begun following the Metabolic Effect Diet Lifestyle -- a book that you can find here (no, I don't get any money for endorsing this book) -- that is based on hormonal effects of food and exercise.  I love it because it streamlines exercise into 20minute workouts three times a week, and the food portion is pretty much the simplest thing ever.  I began this about five weeks ago.  The first three weeks I was on track (and saw major results).  But last week was not so good -- so I'm really having to refocus and get myself back on track.  (Of course, this would be much easier if I made the time to prepare my meals like I take the time to catch up on my DVR!)

Anywho, let me get back to my point between Christmas vacation/stress/new lifestyle.  I am really feeling the effects of "this time of the year."  The stress is really affecting my cravings, and the busy schedule is really affecting my ability to have time to prepare meals ahead of time.  THEN I'm looking at a four day trip from my relatively healthy world into the world of my Dad's excellent (aka unhealthy) cooking.  It's going to be really tough for me to watch my portion sizes and to stay committed to completing my workouts while on vacation.  I'm going to need some accountability on this trip... Thankfully Daniel will be there and he can help me out.

So I need to create some goals for the next two weeks...

• I promise myself to spend some time with God and His Word once a day.  Even if it's just a short devotional.
• I promise to stay committed to my weight training 3x/week -- even on vacation.  I will take weights, my GymBoss Trainer, and workout clothes on my trip.  I will recruit the help of Daniel and my friends to hold me accountable to this goal.
• I promise to relegate myself to sensible portion sizes when at Dad's and to not eat my weight in food.
• I promise that before I go on this trip, to make smart decisions when fueling my body.  To allow myself the one cheat meal on Thursday before my trip.
• I promise to enjoy my time with my family, and to not stress over the little things.  I promise to make memories, not enemies.

Okay.  I've written them down.  Now to share, post them on my walls, and live by them...