With less than 3 hours left of 2007, it is time to set goals for 2008. My ultimate goal for 2008 is to reacquaint myself with the concept of enough. We have become a society that is obsessed with bigger, better, faster, cheaper and more. I read recently that the average American is exposed to more than one million advertisements per year. We work more hours to earn more money to buy more things that we don’t really need, and we still aren’t satisfied. My job is not going to allow me to cut back on the hours, but I can still simplify other aspects of my life.
Running - I went overboard with distance in 2007. In 2008 I’m going to run enough to maintain my fitness level, and with any luck, increase my speed.
Rowing - I got a rowing machine for Christmas. In 2008, I’m going to use the rowing machine to cross train. When the weather gets nice, I might walk instead. Rowing is an excellent cardio workout, and it also helps build core strength. By alternating between rowing and running I hope to get through 2008 injury-free.
Sleep - I rarely get enough sleep. Sleep is vital to the recovery and weight loss process. It is also important for managing stress. I have more than enough stress right now, but perhaps if I get enough exercise and enough sleep, my stress level will become manageable.
Media - I spend most evenings glancing back and forth between the television and the laptop, without really paying attention to either. I pretend that I’m relaxing, but it takes me hours to unwind enough to fall asleep. My goal for 2008 is to reduce my Internet/television time to 2 hours/day. This is probably the toughest of my goals, so I may have to work up… I mean work down to it.
Stuff - I have way too much stuff. My goal for 2008 is to get rid of things I don’t need or use, and to stop shopping. I don’t really like to shop, so this won’t be that difficult.
Food - I lost 60 pounds in 2002/2003. The most effective thing I did to lose the weight was to stop eating when I got full. I eliminated a few foods from my diet, and increased my intake of fruits & vegetables. I certainly didn’t starve, and I ate foods that I liked. I was fine until I started running. After that I was hungry all of the time, and no matter how much I ate, I still felt hungry. Eventually I got to the point where I felt full, but I still wanted to eat. Since I started running, I’ve actually gained weight. There have been times when increased mileage resulted in weight loss, but eventually, the weight came back. I need to get back to where I eat enough, but not more. This will be extremely tough, but it is worth doing.
If I get enough exercise, and enough sleep, and I eat enough instead of too much, I should lose some of the extra fat I’m carrying on my stomach and thighs. I’m not going to set a goal weight. If I eat enough, sleep enough and exercise enough, the amount of weight I lose should also be enough.
Whether you are searching for more, less or just enough, I hope you find it in 2008. Happy New Year!
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January 1st, 2008 at 7:49 am
Great goals!! I totally agree with you on the concept of stuff!
January 1st, 2008 at 8:29 am
I was fine until I started running. After that I was hungry all of the time, and no matter how much I ate, I still felt hungry.
Oh boy, do I feel you there! It really is ridiculously difficult to balance the adequate nutrition and weight loss aspects of endurance sporting, and I still don’t think I’ve found anyone who feels like they have it solidly worked out yet. Good luck to both of us on that front!
January 1st, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Good luck on your 2008 goals! All are so good. I had to agree about the internet piece. I don’t see much TV - but make up for it online.
January 1st, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Doesn’t the oars on your rowing machine get in the way, break tables, scare the cat? Just kidding, I really want a kayak someday.
Have a great 2008!
January 2nd, 2008 at 9:10 am
Sleep, check. Media, check, Stuff….oh it’s so hard! Ch, che, check!
Here’s to success!
January 3rd, 2008 at 9:41 am
It’s as easy as stopping when you are full? Huh.
I’m a bad one about the sleep, too. I love to sleep but there is always so much I could be doing.
Here’s to a great 08!!
Who said it was easy to stop when you are full
December 31st, 2008 at 7:54 pm
[...] some respects, it seems like just days since I wrote my goals for 2008 post. In other respects it seems like a lifetime. I did work on those goals throughout the year, [...]