goals

For being pretty much a non-runner most of my life, I have a surprising number of friends that are runners. And not only runners, but racers. I’ve noticed they tend to have 3 goals for every race they run:

1. To finish – whatever the time, whatever the conditions, by whatever means necessary – whatever it takes to cross that finish line.
2. The time goal they feel they can REALISTICALLY pull out, given proper training and pushing themselves within healthy limits.
3. The dream time – if every condition is perfect and this wind is at their backs and they never have to make a porta-potty break.

For our current challenge at Shrinking Jeans, we’ve been given the task of setting goals for the duration of the challenge – 8 weeks. I have two primary goals I want to accomplish, and I’m going to apply that runner mentality to each of them.

GOAL #1 – LOSE WEIGHT

That’s a no -brainer right, given that this is a weight loss challenge? My “to finish” goal is simply that – see it through. If I give it steady effort and only lose a pound, then so be it. My realistic goal is to lose 10 pounds. That’s just a little more than one pound a week, certainly an attainable goal if I eat well and continue to exercise. My dream goal is 13 pounds, because that puts me in striking distance of my happy, ideal weight.

GOAL #2 – RUN A 5K

I’m working through the C25K program with the Sisterhood, and the last week of that program serendipitously coincides with the last week of our challenge. That Thursday, 28 February, is my last run of the program. My “to finish” goal is to see the program through, period, as I have a nasty habit of quitting. My realistic goal is to run the majority of the 5k, keeping walking breaks to a minimum. And my dream goal is to run it in under 35 minutes. A little lofty for a first-timer, but I can walk it in 42-43 minutes, so I think it’s at least within the realm of possibility.

Great, I have my goals. But how do I plan to achieve them?

• with moderate, daily exercise. In addition to my three running days per week, I’m also chipping away at a weight training program. Fridays, my “off” day, I go to water aerobics while my boys have swim lessons.
• with a sensible eating plan. I’m following Weight Watchers, focusing on the simply filling technique. This aligns better with the way we eat, but still allows for occasional indulgences and takes the pressure off being 100% strict with myself all the time.
• with a revamped evening routine. Instead of relaxing with a glass of wine and a snack every. single. evening. I’m going to try either reading or blogging with a cup of herbal tea by my side. I’m still hashing this one out. Replacing a bad habit takes more thought and meets more resistance than simply starting a new, good habit does.
• with a little help from my friends. When I’m feeling rocky, when I feel like quitting, when I think eating a piece of cheesecake is going to fix things, I’m going to turn to you, my friends, to my fellow C25Kers, and to my fab partner for this challenge, Adah.

I have goals. I’ve made a plan. Now it’s time to get to work and stick to it!

Featured image courtesy of Creative Commons.