The BIG ONE for 2010

Okay, so I've come with a goal for 2010, one that I will have to think of EVERY day in order to be successful. Now I feel I need to defend myself on this one and preface it with an explaination:

My goal is to gain 10lbs this year.

Now do you understand why this could be a bit awkward? I know most people's goals are to lose weight, and everyone assumes that I don't need to exercise, and sometimes ridicule me for talking about it, but I'm gunna get personal here. Although exercise is not necessary for me to maintain my weight, it's always good to be healthy.

I'm not saying I'm not happy with my current state. I've considered it a blessing (since being an adult) that I don't have to worry about or count what I eat in order to look or feel good.

But I can look and feel better, on the inside. And shouldn't we all be striving for healthy lifestyles? This wonderful body we've been given is able to do so many amazing things, if only we train it and allow it. We can make our bodies whatever we want, as long our strength of mind is present.
Plus: when all the good endorphines are going, they help out on the home front, if you know what I mean (wink, wink). Miles and I are just in better moods when we're being active, and to be honest, a good mood leads to productivity which leads to a clean house and organization, which leads to happiness in several other areas. And hey, what I if I need to run after a child someday? Good cardio would come in handy!

So now that all your judgement is effaced, I'm going to need your support! Call me on something if I haven't followed through, or offer suggestions - I'll take anything! My life is about to become an open book, and all of you are co-authors.

So here's my plan:

Step 1: find a facility (there's one literally across the street from me) to use for a gym (but I hate membership fees on top of monthly fees. Just one fee, people!)
Step 2: find a buddy or personal trainer. I canNOT do this alone.
Step 3: make sure I'm eating the foods that will help me maintain any muscle I happen to build, it doesn't come easy.
Step 4: make sure I don't look like a body builder. Just some nice toning, that's all I want!
Step 5: be consistent.

Now, to help you understand my predicament, I need to explain my body type:

Ectomorphs

Ectomorphs have an extremely fast metabolism, which makes it very difficult for them to gain weight, and they tend to have a small bone-structure. Many of today's top models, male and female, are ectomorphs and display a thin physique with muscle definition.
At first having a high metabolism would seem preferable, but many ectomorphs want nothing more than to get bigger. They probably won't get fat, this is true, but they also cannot gain muscle very easily.
The primary goal of ectomorphs is to pack on muscle, and for this they must work out less often than endomorphs and mesomorphs while training very intensely. Their workouts must produce maximum muscle-fatigue, and then they must allow for rest in order for their muscles to heal larger. Resting also conserves calories, which are a valuable commodity to ectomorphs.
The diet of an ectomorph wishing to gain muscle must be calorie- and protein-rich. The extra calories keep the body from burning of muscle while the protein is absorbed.

So by now I hope you understand me a little bit better, and will support me in this quest. I'll keep a log of my progress so we can share in my successes together.

Practicing Parenthood

Last week I was helping out a friend in need: Miles' boss. No, I'm not trying to score brownie points for him! But if they come, we won't turn them away ;)

The short of it is they needed a hand in the daytime childcare department for a week as momma's out of town. Me, I'm happy to oblige. So for 5 days I was able to care for 3 kids (now two of them are in school during the day, so I was only tasked with entertaining a 4 year old. Which really means "follow me around and do what I tell you")

It is interesting stepping into a somewhat parenting role. The tricky part is you're not only there to entertain, but if you can find teaching moments to exploit, that's good too, even better.

I count it as a blessing to be reminded of the simpler things in life, to view things from the simplicity of a child's perspective. I think any parent would agree with me when I say it is our duty to teach children, but they are always teaching us, without even trying.

Thanks, Mark and Jenny, for the opportunity to learn from your children!

Preparation

I learned a great lesson from Grams, not too long ago, about preparation. While Miles and I were staying at her place, I found that she had everything she needed to cook dinner, ready to go at a moment's notice, sitting there on her counter. At like, 2pm. All the way down to the pots and pans being on the stovetop. Well I was finally smart enough to put this example into practice in my own life (one day) yesterday as I was preparing for her to come to dinner tonight. Quesedillas is the menu and 1.5 hrs is the time frame in which to cook, eat and visit.

So: yesterday morning (while I was awaiting the arrival of my new television) I cooked the chicken, diced tomatoes and sliced peppers. All I had to do when I got home today was make the guacamole, throw everything into a pan on a tortilla and get it cooking. Marvelous! She is also a great example of cleaning up right away, so while Miles was telling Grampa Wayne all about Apple and how easy it is to use "I can't learn something new" "sure you can, it's this simple, watch" " Look honey, this is what it can do!" at which I point I turn around, only to realize it's Grampa Wayne addressing his wife, not Miles me. (What can you do? I'm not used to hearing "honey" in my house except to address me.)

So after a quick, but successful, dinner the kitchen was cleaned up, and the appropriate "yay, look at my new house" tour has ended. They're on their way, as punctual as ever (another lesson I must learn from my well practiced grandmother).

So here's to preparation. Why put it off, why? JUST DO IT!

Just Do It

That's all you gotta do. To get things done, you gotta do them. I think I'm a person with pretty good ideas, for the most part. Ideas on what to do and how to do them, but when it comes to actually getting them done, I'm the master procrastinator. The irony is that when I do accomplish a task I've set out to do, I think to myself "wow, that didn't take long at all, and aren't I glad I did it?" Yes, those exact words every time...

So, once again, I'm full of ideas and things I'd like to get done. Well Shani, you just gotta get your butt out of bed, off the couch, your nose out the book, and do it. Who really cares if you're in the mood or not? I'm sure anyone who's successful didn't just do things when they were 'in the mood'.

Part 1 - come up with a new routine
Part 2 - JUST DO IT!

Routine

Okay, so anyone who knows me knows that routine is not my friend. In fact, sometimes I go out of my way to not repeat myself (unless it comes to a steak dinner, that's always the same!)

Well, this morning, routine was my friend! I've been waking up at 5am since Monday this week to get ready for the day and such. Well last night I went to bed later than I wanted, and since today is not hair-wash-day, I could stand to sleep in a little bit.

I find myself waking to the realities of the world (the slight chill in the air of night-time temperatures, my husband has all the blankets, the faint street lights coming through the window) and gaze at the clock to find it's 5am ON THE DOT! Amazing! So I just lay there a little and enjoy not having the hear the irritating buzz of the alarm. Then I look at the alarm and find that I had set it for 5:25PM rather than AM.

So, friend Routine, you have come to my rescue and I will not argue with you anymore. If it's good and it works, why change it?

My Inspiration

Okay, so let's begin. Why did I decide to start a blog? I have several friends who keep blogs and never once did I feel the desire to do one of my own. Well, the seed was planted with Julie & Julia, the heartwarming story of a woman trying to feel accomplished and important.
I watched the movie on my plane ride home from St. Lucia and absolutly loved it all! (made me very sad I didn't end up reading the book before I returned it to the library a couple years ago). I can connect with Julie on so many levels, but the two main ones are: I love cooking and I rarely finish anything I set out to do. Hence, blogging about goals!

So here's to you, Julie Powell, you've been my personal lighthouse showing me the path to success. The rest is up to me.

Recent Us

Okay, so before I go on about my future goals, I'd like to talk about some great stuff that happened last year that makes me believe I can accomplish my goals this year:

LASER EYE SURGERY: Yikes! What a decision that was, but to be honest, the best in my entire life. No more contacts, no more itchy eyes. That was an exciting day!

BACK TO SCHOOL: Yup, enrolled in a Mount Royal University Continuing Education class, and it's been great. I've done well on my assignments and I'm learning lots. I had forgotten much I like to learn and feel smart :)

OUR FIRST HOUSE: and our first mortgage! Exciting and scary at the same time, but I love that I have a place of my own to call home. I'm in charge here!

5 YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY: Wow! Now that's a big one! Miles and I were officially wedded for 5 glorious years as of December 17, 2009, and to celebrate making it this far (I'm sure there were those with doubts) we went to St. Lucia, which was my dream vacation since being in travel school. My husband is so good to me! Here are a few pictures to commemorate the blessed event.

 

 

New Year, New Goals

Okay, so they say that when you set goals, they need to be shared. I've decided to use a blog to keep an account of my life and to feel the pressures of millions of people counting on me to finish what I say I will do! (a bit narcistic, perhaps, but if that's what helps, why not?)

So stay tuned for my goals and dreams I hope to accomplish this year!