belated resolution update

Although generally not one given to making new year's resolutions, this year I decided to set a goal for myself. The goal is to lose 10 pounds, but rather than just throw a number out there, I decided to make a more concrete plan.

1. I would keep track of everything I eat along with portion size, calories, fat, carbohydrates, protein, and fiber.
2. I would try to bring a lunch to campus most days each week.
3. I would exercise at least 3 times per week.

So now that we're a month into the new year, how am I doing?

Well, I started off smashingly with part one. I bought a journal; found several health calculators online to calculate my daily calorie, fat, carb, protein, and fiber intake; purchased a handy, dandy food scale; and began cooking more so that I could be successful at part two. I did really well on this for the first couple weeks, and then I went to Boston for a conference. I knew that it would be extremely difficult to account for my food intake accurately when every meal would be eaten in a restaurant, so I gave myself a reprieve for the duration of the conference.

Big mistake.

I've had a terrible time getting back into the habit of recording what I'm eating each day. It really isn't hard. I just need to take a few minutes after each meal to jot down what I've eaten and calculate the nutritional value. In the meantime I haven't gone overboard on what I'm eating, but I know I haven't been following the intake guidelines perfectly.

As for part three, I haven't really even started that. Between craziness at work and research deadlines that require my attention after work, I've haven't done a good job carving out regular exercise time. I know that when I go I enjoy the workout and I feel better physically. I just need to find the time and make it a habit.

That all said, I'm not giving up on the goal, but I have learned a few things in the process:

1. Visualizing (numerically) what I'm eating is a tremendous help. It may not be motivating for everyone, but I find it extremely useful to see 1) whether I'm eating the right amount daily and 2) whether I'm eating a balanced diet. One thing I may add in is calcium intake because I suspect I may not be getting enough of that.

2. There are some great, free tools on the Internet like Calorie King, which provides nutritional data for just about every food under the sun, and the University of Maryland Medical System Health Calculators. Both WebMD (great portion size guidelines) and the Mayo Clinic (has a great calorie calculator) sites also contain useful tools for understanding what and how much your body needs each day and how to balance diet and exercise.

3. My diet is easier to control when I do the cooking. Even eating other people's home cooking makes it more difficult to calculate. It is so important to know exactly what goes into each meal and how it was prepared. Restaurant nutritional information is frequently available (possibly not entirely accurate) if you look for it, but the portions are so out of whack in most restaurants that it's too easy to overeat.

4. I need to develop some sort of consistent exercise plan. I'm open to suggestions here. I've considered hiring a student trainer from URec because it would be way more affordable than a professional trainer and it might help me get started.

5. I need some sort of accountability. I'm considering posting a weekly update, which may give me the boost I need to keep going.

now we wait

Well, I finally worked up the nerve to write and send the e-mail to Deb, telling her that I can't continue with the ESL class. It was difficult to write, but as I typed, I started feeling quite relieved. I explained my reasons for quitting and said that I would be willing to consider staying on until a replacement can be found. Now I'll just have to wait for her response.

change of plans

I had been planning to visit my older brother in Kentucky before his company ships out to Afghanistan. They were initially scheduled to leave at the beginning of April for a 15 month tour of duty. Tonight I found out that his company will deploy a month earlier than initially planned. At first I thought I wouldn't be able to see him at all before he ships out, but it's looking like I'll be able to fly home and see him there (he's taking a brief leave in South Dakota in the middle of February). I just have to see if I can move a class that I'm supposed to teach on February 15. I think it will be doable. Well, I'll just have to make it doable because I wouldn't regret not teaching that class but I would certainly regret not seeing my brother before he heads overseas.