Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Making the Most of April

Today is the beginning of a new month, a better month. The past two months have been trying with injuries and life in general. So, the last few days I have been trying to decide on what I can do to make the most of April.

Here's what I came up with:

Get back to a regular sleep schedule. As much as I would like to think that sleeping from 9-430 one night, 1030-6 the next night and then back to 9-430 the next night is okay, it really isn't. It doesn't help my workouts, leaving me with the bare minimal some days and rock star workouts other days. I need my sleep routine back.

Cut back on unnecessary fluids and increasing water consumption. I look at this as some form of detox from drinks that do nothing for me. As of the past few weeks, I have probably been consuming 3-4 lattes a week, well more than I need. In reference to alcohol, I may go weeks without any of the likes, while the next week I will have more than needed on a given Friday. It's not necessary and it tampers with the effectiveness of my weekend workouts. I am pretty decent with water consumption, but know I would feel better if I increased it.

Eat better. This is pretty simple. I like to think that I eat pretty well as it is, but there are some things that need to be cut out and just making a conscious effort will make a world of a difference. More fruits and vegetables need to be thrown into the mix and eating out needs to be minimized. Watch all of my tastes and licks, they all add up! Plain and simple.

Do Jillian's 30-Day Shred, over. I haven't done this for the past week and have only made it half way through the 30 days this month. So I thought I would give it a try again. Come May 1st and I will be ready to start my Tri Power book!

Continue to work on strengthening my legs and core. With the knee issues, I feel as if I am slowly learning to run again. One minute I am extremely frustrated with my lack of ability to run further or faster, but the next minute I am extremely grateful that I can still do at least a 5K distance with little to no problems. I will continue to work to strengthen my muscles and become a better runner, working to increase my mileage again down the road!


This may seem like a lot of things to do and be watchful of during a one month span, but in reality it isn't. I felt that if I put it down in writing I would be more conscious of them all and do better with these mini goals.



What are your plans to make the most of this month? Do you have any goals or challenges for yourself, big or small?

25 comments:

Lily on the Road said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ashley said...

Can I just copy your goals?? They sound pretty good to me! :)

Lily on the Road said...

OMG thank you for this! It all sounds just great and all something I should be doing as well,

well, other than I don't drink latte's LOL...best wishes.

Marcy said...

I hear you on the fruits and veggies thing. I really need to get that into gear *sigh*

Carolina John said...

I'm simply up for surviving this month. every weekend is occupied. beach trip, going to the master's golf tourney, then my first tri of the year (5 hours away) and finishing the month with a half marathon. if i'm still married and able to stand up by the end I'll call it a sucess.

Your goals are very acheivable. have fun!

IronGambit said...

when you say unnecessary fluids, do you mean sodas? I can't break that habit! :(

Jess said...

Love your goal! They are targeted at helping you improve and they absolutely will! I think Jillian is supposed to come in the mail today so I'm excited to start that!

Wes said...

The best laid plans... be flexible, you got this!! :-)

Unknown said...

Looks like you have a great plan laid out. Might have to steal some of those for myself.

Shannon said...

More Green Smoothies.......

Runner Leana said...

Good for you for writing your goals down and broadcasting them! I agree with you on sleep. I'm trying to do the same. I definitely don't get enough. As much as I may not like it, I'm trying to make getting up at 4:30 during the week a regular thing - that is what I need for swimming on Tuesdays and Thursday, and on the other days of the week I'll just work 6:30 to 3:30 instead.

Hopefully with that I'll need to rely on lattes and such a little less as well!

Good luck!

Jess said...

Those are all great goals for April, and spring is always a great time of year to feel like starting fresh!

Anonymous said...

You have some great goals which I am sure you will meet. Here is to a new fresh start to April.

Aron said...

awesome april goals!!!! i hope the weather cooperates with them and you can get out there and running soon! :)

Anonymous said...

Awesome Goals. I am working on increasing my water consumption and eating healthy also. Plus sticking with my 5k training plan.

You got this!!!

Marlene said...

Good idea putting the in writing. You should report back to us half way through the month. :)

I need to get my nutrition under control again. I have been all over the place cine my injury and my workouts have suffered. My other key goal for April is to keep cross-training! I had a long hiatus but I am getting back into with the classes at the gym and I even ordered the Shred! It's going to arrive tomorrow and I can't decide if I'm looking forward to that or not - lol!

Anonymous said...

More of a dream rather than a goal, but not be so consumed with work and grad school.

Unknown said...

I think this is a great plan. Here is to a successful April!

Unknown said...

great plan!

for me right now i'm focussed on completing my scheduled training and including warmups wiht my long runs

but i think i need to look at calories in (liquid and solid) again too.

Lora Abernathy said...

Really great goals. I hear ya about the sleeping. One training day is awesome, the next...not so much.

I'll have to check out that Jillian's 30-day program.

Thanks for the inspiration on my blog the other day...!

Michelle said...

I don't know if I can give up my lattes but definitely work on my sleep and eating for sure!

Good luck on your goals!

I Run for Fun said...

Great goals! It's nice to be able to start the month with fresh goals.

Sherry said...

I think your goals are super achievable! You can do it! You've had a very tough couple of months and perhaps focusing on things that are achievable (like the goals that you mentioned) will help to ease the transition back into a time period that is hopefully a bit less stressful.

I'm right there with you as far as sleep goes. I actually set a similar goal for myself a few days ago... in bed by 10PM... reading, NO TV ALLOWED... until I fall asleep.

RunToTheFinish said...

I was just thinking I need to get specific about what I'm trying to do. I mean clearly I want to get over this injury, but it helps me to have other goals too

Holly said...

I'm so behind with reading blogs and have been a crappy blogger this past month so my plan is to get back at it on a regular basis. That's my little goal. My big goal is working on my 2009 goals.