Weight Loss

So last month was not good for weight loss.  I got my cabinets in order and haven't kept crap in the fridge and my eating has been decent.  My issue is getting to the gym. It is so cold and snowy in NYC and its just misery to go outside at night.  I need to do it though. I'm planning some at home work out things that I hope will be easier.  I've also decided to set up a rewards system for myself to motivate me.

5 lbs lost- new nail polish (the good stuff like OPI or Essie)
10lbs lost- new blush (again, something good that I've wanting like MAC or NARS)
15 lbs lost- cute new flats
20 lbs lost- new workout outfit (pants, shoes, bra and top)
25lbs lost- mani/pedi
30lbs lost- new underwear from VS
35lbs lost- a new necklace from ETSY
40 lbs lost- a new bra from VS
45 lbs lost- a new dress (something nice like from anthropology)
50 lbs lost- new JEANS (I used to love buying jeans and have many designer pairs that don't currently fit.  Shopping for a new pair of jeans at a weight that will make it fun again will be so rewarding)
60 lbs lost- bikini! (and possibly a nice weekend trip?)

If I love more than forty pounds I will be BELOW my high school weight. CRAZY!!! I can do this- five pounds at a time.

Making a Plan.

School is back in swing and it already feels overwhelming and nuts.  This weekend I NEED to sit down and make a plan. I want to be organized so that I can have room in my life for not only school and finishing up but for my other personal goals as well.  I'm really stressed out about finding a job this summer and for next fall.  It also overwhelms me to think about it.  I need to clean up my place and prepare it to be a productive work space. I need to figure out which days I'm going to the gym.  I need  to grocery shop and make a meal plan for myself.  Its been itching at me to do these things but I've been on break for a month now and am just getting back into the structured schedule.  Deep breath.  I can do this. 

2011 Goals Update

So I made the first step towards one of my goals this year.  I started a savings account.  Not only that but I will be auto depositing money into every month meaning a small nest egg will slowly build without me doing a thing!  I feel so good about this.  Once I start making money I will increase it to a larger amount.  Yay for goals!


It's like this but with interest. (A tiny tiny tiny amount of interest).  Knowing I can just go on and transfer money online will be great for me.  I have a bit of a online shopping hobby.  Here is my idea (because little things add up): when I see something online that I think I want (unless its a need thing- like a textbook) I'm going to transfer the money for what it costs into my savings account.  I will leave it in there for a day and come back to it.  That is when I will decide if I really like the item more than I like the new total in my savings account.  Tiny purchases really add up and by doing this they will equal savings not buckets of crap.  I will do the same thing with other frivolous purchases like make-up, clothing etc as much as I can.  My reward for not buying things I want on impulse will be a bigger savings account to use on a car and furnishings for my future post graduation apartment when I move back to Cali.  That is about a year away most likely... so bring on the savings!!!!!

2011

This has been one heck of a year. 2009 was terrible for me in a lot of ways. Like really not good.  2010 was better.  I moved to New York City and have been getting a masters.  In 2011 I have two simple goals; I want to lose 4 pounds every month and put $1,000 into savings.



I usually make weight loss goals like "I want to lose 20 pounds this summer".  Noble intentions; but then when summer ends... I gain it all back.  Four pounds a month seems little.  I want it to be realistic. Some months I may lost 10 pounds, some only 1.  I set it at 4 because it seemed reasonable. And it won't be disappointing.   I don't have to pressure myself to lose 10 pounds a month and break my back over it. I'm not that fat.  I am also more concerned with creating a healthy lifestyle then with rapid weight loss.  Gradual and healthy lifestyle changes.  I will have a splurge here and there... it happens.  Right now I'm thinking one meal a week.  I don't think that'll ruin anything and BF and I like to eat out on the weekends.  I plan on documenting this on my blog as a sort of journal. I'm debating a food journal... I'm guessing I won't though.  And that's ok.  I'm not going to keep a food journal my whole life so why try and make it a part of my healthy lifestyle?  If I accomplish my goal I will lose 48 pounds by the end of the year.  I'm pretty sure that number will be a little higher though.  I will be blogging about recipes, exercise things I've tried and what is working/not working. I would LOVE to have a buddy/buddies in this process. I think it would really help!!! Anyone in?  You can set your own goals of course but it would be great to share.  Doesn't setting a 4 pound a month goal seem so much easier? And think by the end of the year you'd be down almost fifty pounds! And if you really commit I'm positive it would be more.

As for the money.  I won't be working full time until September so I will not be able to start saving until then.  I have a bigger goal of saving 5,000 dollars during my first year of teaching.  I will probably be teaching in NYC my first year and would like to save up for a car when I move back west.  I'm also wanting to buy a home really badly.  I know this is more of a five year plan but I need to practice being diligent with my money and how I spend it.  I think I'll start an expense spread sheet when I start working.  I have a weird thing about excel spread sheets.  I kind of love them.  It really is time to buckle down into adulthood financially. I'm not terrible with money but I'm not exceptional with it either. I don't have any credit card debt or anything but because I'm in school I have no savings either.  Does anyone have any tools they use?

Those are my two main goals.  Other goals include- finding a teaching job (duh), making time for creative projects that I enjoy like painting, plan out my homework schedule better and learning a new skill. I would like to learn how to knit I think.

Making my 2011 great is up to me.

Anyway. I promise to be making more regular posts.  I know last semester they were- nearly invisible.  I'm gonna really need you guys and your support with this healthy living thing. Please share ideas!
I leave you with one exciting memory from 2010:

Guest Blog 3! Great Inspiration!

Time is fleeting...don't let your journey be!

My name is Tasha, I have my home blog at www.thetashface.blogspot.com - it's a blog dedicated to my adventures! I left America in January of 2010, and I'm venturing all around the country of Australia for a year and a half, before moving to Ireland! So traveling is a huge part of my life...and I'm learning more and more each day.
Its hard to believe that I've already been living in Australia for almost 6 months - that means my time living here is a third of the way done! It has gone so fast! As I look back on what I've done so far, I'm quite pleased with my trip. It's great to be able to look at my time and feel like I've done something with it! In the past four months, I've traveled: around Sydney, to Byron Bay, The Blue Mountains, The Gold Coast, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Murwillumbah, Bega, Eden, Merimbula, Pambula, all around Tasmania, Melbourne...as you can see - its quite the list - and I still have a year left in Australia! So I am realizing the more I travel, how important it is to really document the journey...otherwise it just feels like "time gone by"...it all becomes a blur.

I have been using a few different methods of keeping track of my travels...

• Photographs - of course! I always have my camera with me, even as I walk through my neighborhood in Sydney. I never regret taking "too many" pictures...but man-oh-man, I always regret those times I forget my camera (or forget to take pictures!!). That's the beautiful thing about digital, I don't feel guilty taking 60 pictures of just one hike! The more, the merrier!
  
  
• Scrapbook - this is a fun way to organise pictures and ticket stubs/key cards/autographs/etc...and being an arts and crafts fiend like I am, its an enjoyable pastime for me :) a perfect way to "savour" the memories.

• Journal/blog - its great to look back and see feelings and thoughts of each place I visit. I find that if I don't write about my adventures the same day it happens, then the longer I wait, the more I forget about the experience. That just shows how important it is to write about the journey...its a shame to forget such special feelings!

• Goals - This is actually the most important of all of these to me! If I set goals for myself, like: swing from a jungle vine, visit every state in Australia, bungee jump in New Zealand, etc...it gives me motivation to get out and DO stuff, and I get a sense of accomplishment when I do the things I've aspired to do. I have a physical list, and I get such joy when I tick off the goal after I experience the dream! Goals are a lovely way of adding meaning and depth to traveling, and life!

If you've had hopes and dreams to travel...I say, get out and DO IT!!! Make it happen - I guarantee you won't regret it. Enjoy this life. Make the most of your moments, remember all the things you've seen, places you've been, and people you've met along the way.
Cheers!
Tash:)