One goal down!

I accomplished goal #5 on Saturday. I ran (jogged) a mile in 12:53. This was 19 seconds off my fastest mile to date (13:12).

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Health and Fitness Goals for Spring/Summer 2008

All of these goals started April 15 and are to be completed by and/or terminate at the end of August.

1. Weight lift consistently 3 times a week from now (April 15) until the end of August, barring injury or illness (a bad cold, the flu, etc.). [Note: I already blew this by taking a buy on my weights one day in April, but I will consider it a success if I take no more than 3 passes on a workout day by the end of August. Sometimes, you just need a break.]

2. Try three new classes at the fitness center and/or a class I've already taken but with a different instructor. (in process- took a "Total Body" class with a different instructor Sunday May 4)

3. Sometime in August, re-take the fitness assessment at the fitness center. Attempt 17 or more "girly" pushups.

4. Try three new fruits or vegetables (they don't have to be completely new- they can be just a different variety, for instance a different variety of apple that I've never tried before) I haven't eaten before and/or have never tried to prepare at home.

5. Run a mile in under 13 minutes (assuming my foot cooperates).

6. Bicycle an unfamiliar trail and take a ride of 15 or more miles.

7. Barring illness or injury, get in 3 hours and 15 minutes *minimum* of combined cardio and weight-lifting per week, and average at least 4 hours per week of cardio & weights (and yoga will qualify as well) between now and the end of August. (in process)

Structure vs. Spontaneity

It sometimes irks me that my week is so structured that it's difficult for me to do anything spontaneously, to make a coffee date with less than 2 weeks notice, or go visit my writing group that I've abandoned for more than a year, or whatever.

And yet, I thrive on structure and scheduling, and I tend to feel anxious if I don't have at least some structure. Plus, I get more done with a schedule. For instance, if I didn't have my 3 solid "go to the gym and lift weight" days solidly planted in my weekly schedule, I know that I would not be very consistent with those workouts. 

I wish I could find a balance, where I had enough structure and scheduling that I felt calm but wasn't SO tightly scheduled that I feel like it's impossible to find time to make friends or even spend more time with current friends.

I think this balance is one of the things I'm seeking with my new job arrangement- I'll be pretty scheduled 3 days a week, with more freedom the other 4 days a week. If only I could figure out how to apply that better to my social/family/personal life. . .