06/30/2010 02:51
vacations and summer goals
Family vacations...some people anticipate such little trips the way you anticipate a root canal. Some people are thrilled to be in the same room with their sons and daughters, grandchildren, spouses, sometimes even extended family members. Inevitably, someone will be unhappy at some point. It seems that it is usually mom who has the task of smoothing things over and getting everyone to return to the state of bliss that is required while on vacation.
I just returned from a family vacation. Usually our family outings are not exactly fun, but this trip turned out to be a relatively drama-free one. I think I enjoyed it so much because I made sure to plan things that I wanted to do, things that make ME happy. I invited everyone to join me for those activities, but I would have been perfectly fine to enjoy the little excursions on my own had they declined the invitation. Well, someone joined me for each little excursion and everyone had a good time. I LOVED playing in the ocean! I long for the water sometimes. When I lived on the coast, I didn't visit the beach nearly enough. Now that I am many hours away from the ocean, I wish I had more access to the water. Hindsight is 20-20 right? If I had to do it over again, I would have jumped in the waves more often when I had the chance.
Eating on vacation. Eating is always so difficult for me when I am out of my routine. I know that my food choices are a bit peculiar because of food allergies and chosen dietary restrictions (vegan). Add to that mix that I am now sporting braces, and some of my food choices are very limited. So eating was a challenge. I relaxed some of the food restrictions a bit so that I wouldn't have to eat soggy cereal and almond milk for every meal. Even with more relaxed rules and not working out for a week (other than playing in the ocean and walking around), I only gained 3 pounds. I really missed the gym and I'm looking forward to getting back there tomorrow.
I have a new focal point. I have a short-term goal/project, a medium-term goal and a long-term goal. A couple of months ago, I realized that if I hurried up, I could have my teeth all fixed up by my 30th birthday. Hence the braces. I also recognized that I have been losing weight slowly and steadily and if I keep committed to my health and continue at the pace I am going, I will be at goal by my 30th birthday. That's in a year and a half. I am actually excited to turn 30 because I see all these wonderful things that are in reach at that age! I can see the finish-line and I am excited to run there. Literally run...I'm not yet great at running, but I'm enjoying improving little by little each week. It's certainly a discipline. Which brings me to the short-term goal: be 5k ready by fall. I stopped running the couch to 5k program because I was putting a lot of pressure on myself to achieve the specific times and paces the program sets forth and I was having a huge mental block. I dropped the program and started just running...no times, no goals, run for a while, walk when I need to, then keep running. Taking away the pressure was wonderful and I've ended up pushing myself much further this way. I'm still not 5k ready, but I will by by the fall! The medium-term goal is to get into some great shape for a bridesmaid dress I have to wear sometime in the fall. I haven't set a specific weight-loss goal or dress size goal for it because a wedding date hasn't been picked yet. But somewhere between now and December I will have to put on a satin gown and stand before a crowd of people. I plan to look fly in that dress. That certainly keeps me motivated when I want to buy cookies-I grab a water instead.
Life is good. I am getting into a good rhythm. Summer has been, and will continue to be, very busy with trips, seeing friends and family, celebrating birthdays, births, engagements, etc. and just enjoying myself. And I am sooooo glad. Winter just sucked, so it's nice to be past it and enjoying life again.
:)