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Healthier in the New Year
Jan. 6th, 2008 10:47 pmOriginally written on January 2nd, 2008
The hallmark of the new year is to make resolutions and then break them. With the blank slate, people dream big of things, sometimes unrealistic to what they are actually able to achieve. I think that anybody can achieve the resolutions they set out for themselves if they have the resolve (heh, there's your root word right there) to. Resolve is difficult to build. I think of a car that is stuck in a mud puddle. The faster you go doing the same thing, you'll just tire out but will remain in the same place. There is no forward motion until something (that's the change) that pushes you out and gets you moving and the push by momentum--unless you stall out. But I'm not going to think about that. What I am going to think about is being pushed by momentum. That's how I got through two NaNoWriMos and my last year at UCR. This is why I thrive so well with a plan. I know where I want to end up. With that in mind, I can use any means to get there. I also know what resources are available to me. Like, for instance, my plan for a change in lifestyle.
The Game Plan
Walk - for at least an hour and once a week. I'd like to walk an hour a day, but I don't know how that will look in reality, especially when the weather is less than agreeable. Today, Katie and I walked around the Ontario Mills. It wasn't an hour, but it was a good walk. It helps me when I'm going somewhere in my walking. I like having a mission. A few days ago, I walked to downtown. And while there, I bought myself an iced tea. Very tasty. :D Those small rewards are very nice.
Sleep more - Go to bed between 11-12. Even after I get another job (though should be 10-11 by then, especially if job is going to be in LA or Riverside), 5 hours is the minimum. I'll shoot for six or seven when I get that down. Eight is definitely preferable, though.
Time for myself once a day - This can be anything that isn't demanding something of me. Meditate is the best thing. I feel better when the blood is pumping and my brain is clear. This seems logical, but feeling it is different. When I have had panic attacks in the past, I could make them go away by focusing on my breathing. Focus on that and I can't keep the uncomfortable thoughts around.
Dance, Dance Revolution - When I was in LA last weekend with Katie and Jessica, I first experienced this marvelous game. I've seen it before but just never played it. The game is both fun and challenging. I like keeping score. I know it would keep me busy for hours. I'm going to buy an at home unit when I have more money. Between this and walking, I think I can get pretty trim. I thought dancing might be a good thing for me after I watched a special on Richard Simmons. I honestly haven't found a sport or exercise that works as well as DDR. I think it even made me start wheezing, but my mind felt great afterward.
Eat better - I am going to keep fastfood mostly out of my life as it has been for over a month now. It is more for financial reasons, but it will be for food choice reasons, too. When I go out, I'll make choices for food that isn't fried, but fresh. Veggies, fruits, whole grains. Less processed. When I have the money, I am willing to buy the healthier stuff. I need to look into foods that promote stronger thinking (grapefruit, according to Richard Gilmore on The Gilmore Girls) and definitely fruit juice regularly when we have it (which hopefully will be constant). When I had my year with OJ, I didn't get sick that much. I've had blocked sinuses for ages now. It doesn't do much with preventing good thoughts, only fuziness. I'd like to finally get over that.
Creating/maintaining a better living space - This has always been difficult for me, likely because I have a lot of things and then don't put them away. I'm honestly not sure how this always gets out of hand for me. Maybe because it wasn't important to me. If it isn't, I seem to miss things. Blinders are on, or something. But with my outside environment being encouraging, that will help my brain.
Heroes: A Nathan Petrelli Tribute - "The Shadow of the Day" (Linkin Park) (Spoilers for "Powerless")
The hallmark of the new year is to make resolutions and then break them. With the blank slate, people dream big of things, sometimes unrealistic to what they are actually able to achieve. I think that anybody can achieve the resolutions they set out for themselves if they have the resolve (heh, there's your root word right there) to. Resolve is difficult to build. I think of a car that is stuck in a mud puddle. The faster you go doing the same thing, you'll just tire out but will remain in the same place. There is no forward motion until something (that's the change) that pushes you out and gets you moving and the push by momentum--unless you stall out. But I'm not going to think about that. What I am going to think about is being pushed by momentum. That's how I got through two NaNoWriMos and my last year at UCR. This is why I thrive so well with a plan. I know where I want to end up. With that in mind, I can use any means to get there. I also know what resources are available to me. Like, for instance, my plan for a change in lifestyle.
The Game Plan
Walk - for at least an hour and once a week. I'd like to walk an hour a day, but I don't know how that will look in reality, especially when the weather is less than agreeable. Today, Katie and I walked around the Ontario Mills. It wasn't an hour, but it was a good walk. It helps me when I'm going somewhere in my walking. I like having a mission. A few days ago, I walked to downtown. And while there, I bought myself an iced tea. Very tasty. :D Those small rewards are very nice.
Sleep more - Go to bed between 11-12. Even after I get another job (though should be 10-11 by then, especially if job is going to be in LA or Riverside), 5 hours is the minimum. I'll shoot for six or seven when I get that down. Eight is definitely preferable, though.
Time for myself once a day - This can be anything that isn't demanding something of me. Meditate is the best thing. I feel better when the blood is pumping and my brain is clear. This seems logical, but feeling it is different. When I have had panic attacks in the past, I could make them go away by focusing on my breathing. Focus on that and I can't keep the uncomfortable thoughts around.
Dance, Dance Revolution - When I was in LA last weekend with Katie and Jessica, I first experienced this marvelous game. I've seen it before but just never played it. The game is both fun and challenging. I like keeping score. I know it would keep me busy for hours. I'm going to buy an at home unit when I have more money. Between this and walking, I think I can get pretty trim. I thought dancing might be a good thing for me after I watched a special on Richard Simmons. I honestly haven't found a sport or exercise that works as well as DDR. I think it even made me start wheezing, but my mind felt great afterward.
Eat better - I am going to keep fastfood mostly out of my life as it has been for over a month now. It is more for financial reasons, but it will be for food choice reasons, too. When I go out, I'll make choices for food that isn't fried, but fresh. Veggies, fruits, whole grains. Less processed. When I have the money, I am willing to buy the healthier stuff. I need to look into foods that promote stronger thinking (grapefruit, according to Richard Gilmore on The Gilmore Girls) and definitely fruit juice regularly when we have it (which hopefully will be constant). When I had my year with OJ, I didn't get sick that much. I've had blocked sinuses for ages now. It doesn't do much with preventing good thoughts, only fuziness. I'd like to finally get over that.
Creating/maintaining a better living space - This has always been difficult for me, likely because I have a lot of things and then don't put them away. I'm honestly not sure how this always gets out of hand for me. Maybe because it wasn't important to me. If it isn't, I seem to miss things. Blinders are on, or something. But with my outside environment being encouraging, that will help my brain.
Heroes: A Nathan Petrelli Tribute - "The Shadow of the Day" (Linkin Park) (Spoilers for "Powerless")
