I RESOLVE TO . . .

Daily Exercise - Day 90

What a beautiful sunny Friday.  In between running around like a crazy person for work, I did a little walking, so no structured work out for me today.  With the weekend ahead, I'll be back to my bike, Total Gym, and maybe something outdoors.  Until then . . .

Pessimist . . .

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty."

Winston Churchill

Resolutions - Day 89

Since I plan to take this weekend off - just for me - I think I'll put in some time on my resolution book outline, and introduction.  I've been itching to put in some quality time.  With the warmer weather ahead (including this weekend), I plan to head outside with my notebook, notes, blog posts, and all the rest of the materials I've collected during the past couple of years on how to achieve goals and resolutions.  I'm really looking forward to making some fresh progress!

For now, it's late, I better get off here for now.  And though I didn't have any time to myself today .. in coming days you can bet I'll put in at least 30-60-minutes of exercise each day - my New Year resolution.  Join me!  One resolution, one day at a time for one year.  Let's 'go for it' in 2006!

Daily Exercise - Day 89

Long work day, just finished and it's almost midnight.  Needless to say I didn't manage to squeeze in a work out :( .. but I did finish a bunch of projects and I feel good about that.  Getting more caught up with work will free up my weekend - to work out, relax, read, or do whatever the heck I please!! Until then . . .

Optimist . . .

"For myself I am an optimist - it does not seem much use being anything else."

Winston Churchill

Resolutions - Day 88

Just take a walk.  No, don't take a walk off a short pier!   On those days when you feel like you'd like to take a walk off a short pier (stress and frustrations galore are pushing all your buttons), take a leisurely walk in a friendly neighborhood to clear your head, give yourself a little change of scenery, and a change of pace - it will definitely change your mood if you're having one of those days!.

This is especially important when you're trying to add 30-minutes for your goals and resolutions into an already packed, stressed-out day.  Often, taking a walk will give you renewed energy, some new ideas, inspiration, and desire to make some time for your dream (your goal, your New Year resolution). 

Bottom-line:  when you're feeling stressed out, too tired to work on your your dream - take a break.  Remind yourself of your dreams and goals.  Make some time for them and for yourself, you won't regret it - but you might regret never having pursued your dreams at all.  With that in mind, don't forget:  one resolution, one day at a time for one year.  Let's 'go for it' in 2006!

Daily Exercise - Day 88

Another day of walking . . . this time not running around like crazy in DC, instead I took a more leisurely walk through the streets of Old Town Fredericksburg after coffee at Hyperion Espresso.  Two days couldn't be so different - yesterday running like a crazy person in DC, today working at home, and taking a break in Old Towne after my work errands.  But that's my life - a complete study in opposites all the time (that's why I moved from DC to Fredericskburg; still striving for balance).  In any event, it makes life interesting, huh?  Tomorrow, I think I think I need to put in some time on my bike, add a little aerobic exercise to the week.  Unitl then . . .

Positive Thoughts . . .

"Once you start replacing negative thoughts with positive ones, you'll start having positive results."

Willie Nelson - American Country Western Singer

Resolutions - Day 87

Yes, totally OBE today.  Lots of work and not much else. Good news, I did do a lot of walking, so I fulfilled my resolution to work out for 30-minutes.  Alas no time to really think about my book on how to achieve your New Year resolutions.  Tomorrow is another day!  And plenty of time this year to work toward my resolutions.  Remember:  one resolution, one day at a time for one year.  Let's 'go for it' in 2006!

Daily Exercise - Day 87

Lots and lots of walking today, so I put in my 30-minutes of exercise and then some!  Wasn't a particularly gorgeous day - kind of cloudy, but a good day just the same.  Maybe a little more walking tomorrow, then back to the bike and Total Gym.  Until then . . .

Think Like A . . .

"Think like a queen.  A queen is not afraid to fail.  Failure is another steppingstone to greatness."

Oprah Winfry

Resolutions - Day 86

To P-R-O-C-R-A-S-T-I-N-A-T-E . . . What does that mean to you?  I sure know what it means to me.  I've written about procrastination here before and I find it to be one of the most curious of human activities, habits, traits, however you want to define it.  Some days it really is more of an activity than anything else because it take so much darn energy putting off what you really need to accomplish. 

When I procratinate it always causes me more worry, angts, trouble, and headaches than it's worth, but I still do it.  You know how it goes.  You delay doing something that you don't like/want to do, whether at work or in your personal life.  But you probably still have to do it regardless of how much you procrastinate.  The project/issue just won't go away.  It just sits there, and sits there, and sits there, daring you to do something, anything. 

I make 'To Do Lists' (lots of them), so I know which projects are 'delayed' and for how long.  I look at my lists, with those 'delayed' projects sitting there in seemingly infinite 'pause', and I feel guilty.  I know I really need to get them done, but just keep putting them off.  It's a really ugly cycle.  Not healthy.  But an easy cycle to fall into.

This year I'm acknowledging all of that, the whole procrastination thing, and I'm trying to do better by not falling into the trap as much, or as often.  And you know what?  I feel better when I just tackle those 'unattractive projects'.  I just 'do them', then I cross them off my list and stop worrying.  End of story.  It feels so much better, and gives me a small sense of accomplishment each time I succeed in defeating the 'habit/activity' of procrastination.

With all of that in mind, why do we put off acting on our dreams?  I guess I can think of a million reasons:   no time, no money, too hard, afraid to fail, etc. etc. etc.  But they're our dreams, those imaginings that we hold near and dear to our hearts, things about which we have great passion and affection!! They're not unsavory projects.  Yet we still delay and delay and delay, until one day unfortunately there's no more time left to delay . . .

It's one thing to procrastinate about those silly projects that you do today, and forget about tomorrow.  It's another thing to procrastinate about dreams.  Tragic in many ways.  So stop doing it!!  Join me this year in pursuing your dream - that one thing that you've always wanted to do, to achieve.  You don't have to pour all your time or money into it, just small 'bites of time and effort'':  one resolution, one day at a time for one year.  It's never to late to take the leap.  Let's 'go for it' in 2006! :)

Daily Exercise - Day 86

Busy day, but made some time for my bike - did 60-minutes this evening.  Tomorrow, I'll be running around DC all day for meetings and errands, so I think I'll try to do some walking - and stretching/yoga before bed.  Still planning to get to Sport & Health for laps soon.  Famous last words, huh?  I'll get there, count on it. :)  Until then . . .

A Bath . . .

"There must be quite a few things that a hot bath won't cure, but I don't know many of them."

Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar

Resolutions - Day 85

Almost three full months have passed this year - amazing how time is flying!  As promised, I spent time this morning reviewing my progress with my New Year resolution to work out each day for at least 30-60-minutes.  Great news:   when I went through all my calendar notations for my workouts I discovered at the end of March, I'll have worked out 74 of the first 89 days in 2006.  If I follow my work out plans for the rest of the month, I'll have missed only 15 days.  In retrospect, it's good that I did take some days' off'.   Usually the days that I don't work out, my body is telling me that it needs a break.  Also, keep in mind I don't do aerobic or rigorous exercise everday.  Somedays I just walk, or do stretching and light Yoga.  So it all evens out. 

When I averaged the amount of time spent working out, I also discovered:  in January I averaged approximately 32-minutes each day; in February I averaged 35-minutes each day; and in March I've averaged 48-minutes each day. 

Those figures actually track closely with my decision about a month ago to challenge myself more with my work-outs.  I decided to do more rigorous work outs, to work on my muscle tone, and to lose 10 pounds (I'm not a dieter, but over the past  20 years, I've probably put on around 10 pounds; it's time to take it off and get back to my fighting weight).  I also decided if I'm going to really get something out of my workouts, I needed to add some additional goals and incentives.  For instance, I'm trying to lose 10 pounds and work on my muscle tone/endurance between now a my 30th High School Reunion in August.  Hence the decision to do more rigorous, longer work outs some days of the week (not everyday - I stagger them betwen lighter, shorter work outs.

Beyond the good news I discovered in my review today - I started to think about how I want to exercise in April, May and June.  I've been working out primrily with my indoor bike and Total Gym; and by walking, stretching, and doing light Yoga.  I've also had some sessions with a personal trainer, and was swimming laps up until December (I really need to get back to the gym very soon!).  So, it's time to begin doing some new things and taking my workouts outdoors:  gardening, outdoor biking, walking, jogging, swimmg, tennis, and the gym.  Lots and lots of options, and lots to look forward to!

So, bottom line: I feel really good about my progress in 2006.  You can too!  Just consider the following five Steps:

• Dare to Dream:  Open your mind, consider that you can actually achieve your dream.
• Decide:  Make a firm decision - 'resolve' - to achieve your dream in 2006.
• Define:  Define your resolution in a specific, measurable way in which you can apply timelines, deadlines, and milestones (try defining it in one sentence).
• Develop A Plan:  Do you homework, figure all all dozens/hundreds of small steps that enable you to achieve your dream, then lay it out in a Resolution Roadmap - a plan that will enable you to take tiny steps each day toward your dream.
• Do It Daily:  Take those tiny steps each and every day - spend 20, 30, 60 minutes on your dream everday, and I guarantee you'll progress toward he finish line.

Don't put it off any longer.  Start today:  one resolution, one day at a time for one year.  Let's go for it in 2006! :)

Daily Exercise - Day 85

Gorgeus, gorgeous Sunday.  Cold but very pretty.  Since I'm working, no time outside, but I do plan to hop on my bike tonight for 30-60-minutes depending on how much time I have. May hold off on the Total Gym until next week.  See how it goes later today.  Until then . . .

A Few Hoots . . .

"The man who doesn't relax and hoot a few hoots voluntarily, now and then, is in great danger of hooting hoots and standing on his head for the edification of the pathologist and trained nurse, a little later on."

Elbert Hubbard

Resolutions - Day 84

OBE today, unfortunately!  Sooo, I didn't get a chance to spend any meaningful time working on my exercise plan for the next quarter.  Although I have to work again tomorrow, I'm going to  make time early in the day to review my progress with my exercise resolution, do a little research on where I want to go with it in the next three months, and re-vamp.  I'm probably overdue for some course corrections in my Resolution Roadmap for 2006, so that's high on my priority list tomorrow:  a refined plan.

That said, I did make time for my work out today, so all is not lost!  I'm going to stick with it for the second year in a row!  One resolution, one day at a time for one year!  If you're still thinking about pursuing your resolution, it's never too late!  A dream, a decision, a definition, a plan, and a half-hour each day is all it takes.  It's easier than it sounds if you approach your dream in 'bite-sized chunks' a little bit each day.  Let's 'go for it' in 2006.

Daily Exercise - Day 84

Work or no work on this sunny Saturday, I made time for 40-minutes of exercise.  I hopped on my bike for 30-minutes and  did 10-minutes of stretching and Yoga.  Tomorrow will likely be the same, my bike and Total Gym.  More work tomorrow of course, but light is shining through at the end of the tunnel, so I'll get back to swimming laps at the gym very very soon!  Until then . . . :)

Slow Down . . .

"Slow down and everything you are chasing will come around and catch you."

John De Paola

Resolutions - Day 83

Time to do a weekly check-in.  We're almost three months into the year already, so I think it's time to really take a good hard look at what I've achieved in my efforts to fulfill my New Year resolution (working out each day for 30-60 minutes).  It's time to review my plan (my resolution roadmap), where I've been and where I'm headed in the coming quarter, April, May and June.  And it's time to do some brainstorming and make some course corrections.  I want to improve on my goal not only to work out, but to increase my muscle tone, lose a few pounds, and challenge myself more in my work outs and the sports that I love.

That's my assigment for this weekend.  Review, research, revamp.  Then I'll take my exercise effort to the next level in the coming quarter.  Yes, I'll say it again:  one resolution, one day at a time for one year.  Let's go for it in 2006! :)

Daily Exercise - Day 83

TGIF!  No tough workout for me today, just walking and stretching this morning.  I'm going to do a little more stretching and some light Yoga before bed.  Tomorrow, back on my bike for 60-minutes and a workout on my Total Gym.  And you never know, a miracle may happen Sunday.  I might actually get to the gym to swim some laps.  That would be wonderful, huh?  :)  It's been awhile, and I'm really longing for the water.  Maybe in the next couple of days.  Until then . . .

Tension . . .

"Tension is who you think you should be.  Relaxation is who you are."

Chinese Proverb

Resolutions - Day 82

I subscribe to a variety of Google E-Mail alerts, including one on New Year resolutions. This late in the year, I've been amazed how many people are still talking and writing about resolutions.  Actually that's great news.  If journalists, columnists and bloggers are still writing about resolutions, it means here are still a lot of folks out there who are working toward achieving their resolutions. 

For instance if you're trying to improve your eating habits a recent article from the Poughkeepsie Journal talks about smart eating tips.  Another article from Bizjournals.com outlines tips that are business-oriented, but probably apply to many resolutions.  A third recent article in Fredericksburg's Free Lance Star talks about many of things I've been discussing since New Year's Day, like focusing your attention on one resolution and keeping a journal (writing things down).

Regardless of whether you're struggling to put in some time on your resolution, or working diligently to achieve it in 2006, there's plenty of reading material out there to keep you focused and on track.  Subscribing to Google Alerts is any easy way to read the latest news articles and columns.  As always, Google is a great tool in the search for information on an infinite number of topics.

So, keep at it!  Don't let your dreams and resolutions fall by the wayside.  If you've been lax about your resolutions you can always make good on them starting today.  Don't forget:  one resolution, one day at a time for one year.  Let's 'go for it' in 2006!

Daily Exercise - Day 82

As promised, early to bed last night and up early this morning, which means I had a very good night's rest!  I guess I needed the extra sleep.  Looking at the calendar, it's clearly been a crazy busy month.  I've missed work outs six days.  Still time to make good, though, since there's another week left this month.  Later today, I'll hit the bike for 60-minutes and do a short workout on my Total Gym.  Until then . . .

Stress . . .

"When Mozart was composing at the end of the eighteenth century, the city of Vienna was so quiet that fire alarms could be given verbally, by a shouting watchman mounted on top of St. Stefan's Cathedral.  In twentieth-century society, the noise level is such that it keeps knocking our bodies out of tune and out of their natural rhythms.  This ever-increasing assault of sound upon our ears, minds, and bodies adds to the stress load of civilized beings trying to live in a highly complex environment."

Steven Halpern

Resolutions - Day 81

One of my favorite books is Easier Than You Think (because life doesn't have to be so hard) by Richard Carlson, Ph.D.  He's the author of Don't Sweat the Small Stuff.  If you haven't read his books, you should pick one up, they're chock full of common sense, easy to read information.  It's a small pocket-sized book and a very easy quick read.  Every now and then I like to post short excerpts from his books because they're so inspiring.  I'm especially fond of this excerpt from Easier Than You Think:

"When my daughter Kenna was a little girl, she would occasionally wake up in the morning and say to me, "'Daddy, this is so great, I get another one of these!"  Have you heard the expression, "Out of the mouths of babes"?  The excitment in my daughter's voice suggested that she was thrilled to have been given yet another day to do with what she would.  Even at a tender, young age, she somehow knew that she had the choice to make each day special.

Our thoughts are the most powerful tools we have been given during this lifetime.  We can use them, as Kenna did, to create joy, anticipation, excitement, fun, happiness, and peace.

Of course, we can just as easily allow our thoughts to be self-destructive weapons.  We can wake up in the morning with a list of complaints as long as the front page of the newspaper.  And whichever road we take - positive or negative - our choice is likely to have nothing to do with how "good" our life really is on the "outside.""

So what kind of day are you going to have?  Hope it's a good one!  Pick up a copy of Carlson's book, it's well worth the money, and it could help you to improve your day!  Don't forget, keep those dreams and resolutions alive each and every day.  One resolution, one day at a time for one year.  Let's 'go for it' in 2006!

Daily Exercise - Day 81

No exercise for me tonight!  I'm pooped, so bed early and early to rise tomorrow when I'll have more energy and can put in a good 60-minutes on the bike, along with a work out on the Total Gym.  Until then . . .

More To Life . . .

"There is more to life than increasing its speed." 

Mohandas K. Gandhi

Resolutions - Day 80

A very interesting survey!  I ran across an online article today, published by Business Wire that said that a Zoomerang survey of 40,000 WorldWIT(R) women (the world's largest online community for professional women) regarding their choice of a New Year Resolution for 2006 showed that 23% of the respondents said they plan to make a career change in 2006.  At the same time, 11% said they hope to build their resumes this year.

That's great news about New Year resolutions in general.  It means in addition to the typical holiday resolutions (losing weight, going to the gym, eating healthier, etc.) women are thinking 'big' or 'big-er' about their dreams.  I firmly believe a New Year resolution does not have to be about something that you really dislike about yourself, as so many resolutions seem to be. 

A resolution can be a dream that you've held near and dear to your heart for a very long time, or maybe a brand new dream!  Maybe you've always wanted to attend college, earn a degree.  Or maybe in recent years you've dreamed of owning and running your own business.  Or maybe you dream daily of moving up the career ladder, but you're afraid you'll slide down instead of up. 

An infinite number of dreams, an infinite number of reasons that people are afraid to actually take the leap - pursue those dreams.  The survey bolsters my belief that New Year resolutions are a good way to pursue one's dreams. 

January 1 is the perfect time to 'dare to dream'.  It's the perfect time to resolve:  to decide firmly with great determination to pursue that dream.  It's the perfect time to define specifically what, how, when, why, where you want to achieve your dream.  It's the perfect time to develop a plan.  Finally, it's the perfect time to begin the practice of doing it daily:  putting in a small amount of time each day, dilgently working to achieve your dream.

You're probably saying, well January 1, 2006 is history.  New Year's Day 2007 is nearly 300 days away.  Well that's true.  But yesterday was the first day of Spring, another wonderful time of the year to clear the slate, begin a new chapter in your life.  Another wonderful time of the year just like the new year.

If you have a dream that you'd passionately love to pursue - do it today.   Don't wait.  One resolution, one day at a time for one year.  Let's 'go for it' in 2006!

Daily Exercise - Day 80

I feel sooo much better!  After a couple days of not working out very hard I did 60-minutes tonight on my bike and 15-minutes on my Total Gym.  I skipped yesterday's work out because my allergies were going nuts, and really missed it.  Hopefully I'm back on track now.  And yes, Sport & Health is still on my list of things to do.  I've been very bad of late, haven't been swimming laps since December.  I need to improve that record!  Maybe toward the end of the week when work calms down.  Until then . . .

Slow Down . . .

"One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one's work is terribly important."

Bertrand Russell

Resolutions - Day 79

Springtime, it's officially here tonight!  I've been counting down for days and it's finally here.  Of course Spring is being ushered in with a bang - snowstorms in the Midwest and the East Coast, but the snow and cold weather  will soon be just a memory, replaced by warm weather and sunny days.  I don't know about you, but I can't help but feel optimistic during the Spring months.  As I've mentioned before, Spring to me, is like January 1 - a fresh start, a brand new chapter.

With that in mind, I'm going to pull out all my resolution notes, review my plans, make some course corrections, and head out anew on my resolution to exercise for 30-60-minutes each day.  Soon I'll be able to diversify my exercise program will outdoor sports, and I want to think through my exercise goals for the Spring.  Tied closely to that effort is the book I'm working on to help folks achieve their New Year Resolutions.  I've been using myself and my exercise program as a case study.  It's time to finish my book outline, and start writing my first draft! 

With sunny, warm days ahead, I'm counting on new passion and enthusiasm for these projects.  If your New Year resolution is languishing on the back burner - no better time than the present to change that, and use Spring as a launching pad for your dream.  Remember:  one resolution, one day at a time for one year.  Let's 'go for it' in 2006. :)

Daily Exercise - Day 79

Although it was gorgeous day, sunny and cool, I held off on a workout on this the first day of Spring.  Spring blooms invite allergy allergy season to rear its ugly head.  I feel like my allergies are going to pack a full wallop this week:   headache, sore throat, runny nose, and scratchy eyes.  Regardless, I plan to make time for a good long bike ride tomorrow afternoon - my muscles have recuperated from Saturday's gardening Marathon.  Tommorrow I'll be ready to go again.  Until then . . .

Spring Is Here Today!

"To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring - it was peace."

Milan Kundera

Resolutions - Day 78

My little hiatus is almost over.   I took a short break for part of this week from my resolution book/blog, so that I could re-charge my batteries and come back with some fresh ideas next week.  Tomorrow is the first official day of Spring - so what better day to start anew!  Back at it tomorrow morning:  One resolution, one day at a time for one year - Let's 'go for it' in 2006! :)

Daily Exercise - Day 78

Very sore today!  As I predicted yesterday, I'm really sore after putting in six hours out in the yard and garden beds yesterday.  But it's a good sore, and I'm one step closer to getting in better shape.  Cross training is always a wonderful way to use all the muscles.  Now that the weather is warming up I can add gardening, outdoor biking and swimming to my daily work out regimen - I won't be limited to my indoor bike, Total Gym and walking.  Because my schedule has been so crazy, I haven't been able to utilize my new Sport & Health membership as much as I wanted.  I have another shot this week at getting to the gym for some swimming - I'm going to make a real effort to get there!  Until then . . .

Time Off . . .

"Sometimes it's important to work for that pot of gold.  But other times it's essential to take time off and to make sure that your most important decision in the day simply consists of choosing which color to slide down on the rainbow."

Douglas Pagels, These Are the Gifts I'd Like to Give to You

Resolutions - Day 77

On Hiatus until Monday!  Taking a small break so I can start anew with my dreams and resolutions on Monday - the first official day of Spring, and with it, a fresh start and new chapter. 

Every now and then, you need to take a little break to re-charge the batteries.  But next week, back to:  One resolution, one day at a time for one year.  Let's 'go for it' in 2006!

Daily Exercise - Day 77

Springtime is here!  Gorgeous day today, sunny, cool, clear blue skies - so I headed out the door at 1:00 PM to work in my yard and garden and didn't quit until 7:00 PM.  Yes, I definitely got my workout, blowing all the leaves out of my yard and garden beds, and clearing the other debris that has fallen out of the trees during the winter.  I'm going to be so sore tomorrow!  Think my exercise on Sunday will consist of stretching and light Yoga - I used muscles today that haven't seen action since last fall.  Light workout tomorrow!  Until then . . .