Saturday, January 30, 2010

Make new friends and keep the old...

(apologies to all the former Girl Scouts who now have that "Silver and Gold" song stuck in their heads!)

If I'd forgotten how many amazing women I have in my life, this week was a wonderful reminder.

Last weekend, I accomplished another of my forty goals by reconnecting with my Wells College sisters at a gathering in Boston. It's funny how you can forget how much you missed certain people until you see them again, especially after a 15+ year absence...that's how it was seeing Jessi and Renee. What was truly wonderful was realizing that our connection was still there...we didn't simply spend the whole evening reminiscing and laughing about our college days (though there was plenty of that, too). You know what I mean...don't we all have old friends who were SO important to us at one point in our lives, but as the years pass, you realize all you have in common is that you grew up in the same neighborhood, or had a crush on the same boy in junior high? Not to say that's a terrible thing...it's life. We grow in different directions, and it's ok. But I'm thankful that some of my most cherished Wells friendships are deeper than time or space--sure, it's not the same as when we lived on the same hallway and shared a bathroom, but that's a good thing.

As if a dose of Wells wasn't enough to buoy me through a hectic week, I made many new friends at the YMCA's Strongest Women contest this week. I entered the contest, like most of them, to push myself a little bit and see just how strong I could be if I put my mind to to it (and, like most of us, we also wanted to support the Y's most awesome fitness specialist, Jesse Wall, the mastermind behind this contest!) It was so much more than any of us expected. There aren't nearly enough opportunities for women to celebrate being strong--really strong!--and be surrounded by others who are cheering for us to push way beyond what we think we are capable of. I don't think there was a single woman who participated who didn't amaze herself at least once--nor was there a woman who didn't inspire all the rest of us. I can't even fully explain how transformational the event was for me. Just amazing. Thanks, Jesse...and thank you to all the women (you know who you are!) who made it so much more than a weight lifting contest.

It's been quite a month...I have accomplished more of my 40 goals than I expected, adn yet I have a long way to go. For those of you who've told me you're making your own lists after reading about my journey--first of all, thank you for taking the time to tell me I've inspired you in some way. That's a gift that I treasure more than you can possibly imagine. Secondly--please let me know how you're progressing! Take it from me...the experience is that much more powerful when you share it with others.

Be well!

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Motivation

A couple of weeks ago, when I was getting ready to start my Forty for 40 Challenge, I purchased a large glass jar with a lid (it reminds me of the kind of container you'd see in an old fashioned candy store, full of jawbreakers or jellybeans or some other colorful treats). Every day since January 1, I've spent a few moments at the end of the day thinking of something I'm thankful for, or something I need from God, or the universe, or myself, and I write that thought down on a slip of colored paper, fold it and put it in the jar. It's become a part of my routine I look forward to every single day--to really spend a few moments in quiet contemplation, focusing on what it is that's helping me move forward, or what it is that's holding me back from taking the next step toward my goals.

Yesterday, I asked for motivation. This was a challenging week---work has been hectic (I'm not complaining--it's job security to be so busy!), which has left me feeling off-track. I have had a hard time getting out of bed in the morning to exercise, which in a couple of instances led to no-workout days, and keeping to my healthy eating plan has been a struggle (small victory--I've stuck to my commitment of tracking everything I eat, so at least I'm conscious of my choices...and when I step back to look at the week I am, overall, doing better than I thought). It's also meant I have spent too much time watching TV at the end of an exhausting day, instead of reading, or writing, or any of the other things I could be doing toward reaching my 40 goals.

Amazingly, I've found that the simple act of admitting I'm feeling unfocused has helped me regain the motivation I need to press on. A positive, if unintended, consequence of this emotional treat jar I've created for myself.

I know I'll be saying this often throughout the year, but THANK YOU to each of you who has taken the time to post a word of encouragement or praise about this blog and the idea of Forty for 40. While the ultimate motivation has to come from within myself, knowing you're out there following along is something for which I'm incredibly grateful.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Off to a great start

Week one of Forty for 40 is in the books. There was a moment earlier this week where I truly wondered what I'd gotten myself into...and why on earth I had decided to post a blog for the world to see whether or not I actually accomplish my goals.

Fortunately, that moment passed quickly. The truth is, I didn't really think anyone would read the blog, except maybe a few of my closest friends and family. Receiving positive comments and kudos from people I didn't expect has been a wonderful gift, and a powerful motivator. I appreciate each of you who has taken the time to share a comment, or told me I've given you a dose of inspiration. Knowing you're out there is making this even more rewarding, even just one week in.

Here's what I've accomplished so far toward my Forty for 40 list:
-lost 6 lbs (and 2.5 inches)
-exercised 40 minutes every day except one (and believe me, I needed the rest that day!)
-booked my fitness vacation. I'll be spending a week at Fitness Ridge (aka the Biggest Loser Resort) in southern Utah in early September.
-1/3 of the way through Corelli's Mandolin from my reading list
-written my "40 things I like about myself" list
-committed one random act of kindness
-received my first $40 donation to the Ronald McDonald House of Portland (thanks again to my wonderful sister for helping get this started!)
-registered for the 5K I'll be doing with my dad in June
-downloaded 20 new songs/artists suggested by my friends (listening to them right now--love them!!)
-meditated every day..still working on getting to 40 minutes a day, but I'm trying!
-written about 10 pages toward my goal of 40 for the month
-transferred an extra $40 to a separate savings account
-filled out an application to volunteer as a mentor at LearningWorks, an organization in Portland that provides support to at-risk teens and immigrants. My interview is Friday!

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Keep moving!

I have to admit, I figured that a few of the items on my Forty for 40 list would be, relatively speaking, easy to accomplish, which is why (in the spirit of personal challenge) I listed them as daily events. Specifically, "exercising 40 minutes every day" and "meditating 40 minutes every day". How hard could that be?

Apparently, harder than I thought..especially the meditation. Turns out, it's hard to sit still for 40 minutes and be alone with your thoughts (especially if your objective is to clear your mind!) I'm trying...but even 20 minutes is hard to do without getting twitchy (or falling asleep on the couch!)

40 minutes of exercise is, by comparison, easy, aside from days like today when I overslept my alarm and was never able to escape my office long enough to get in a decent workout at the Y (I consider it a small victory that I DID bring my gym bag to work...I wanted to go, honest!) So...now it's almost 6:30 and I'm the last straggler out of the office. Making myself work out at home will be tough as my comfy couch, my purring kitties, and my DVRd shows await (yes, I'm a closet "General Hospital" addict...so sue me :)

What will keep me off the couch--for at least 40 minutes--is the way I feel after this first week of really eating well, focusing on my physical and mental health, and being focused on my longer term goals. That, and knowing you guys are out there following along!

Monday, January 4, 2010

...And we're off!

Four days into the new year and so far, this crazy challenge of mine is a success. I will admit I'm surprised (pleasantly so) at the number of notes of encouragement from people from all different parts of my life...and touched that more than one person has told me I've inspired them to think about their own lists.

I'm happy to say I've already checked one thing off my list--I made my list of 40 things I like about myself. It was more challenging than I expected--and I like me, for the most part, just as I am. Try it for yourself...you'll see that, after you get to about number 28, you need to dig deep (I did, anyway). Maybe I'll post my list here before the year is out...I will definitely revisit it during 2010 and, hopefully, add to it. If I get really brave, perhaps I'll start a second list, of 40 things I'd like to change. I'd like to think that list would be more difficult to write.

I've also started reading the first book on my reading list: Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres (and no, I didn't see the movie). It's not a book I would likely have read were it not for this challenge, but I'm really enjoying it. Beautifully written and, now that I've gotten into the flow of the book, I'm really engaged by the characters. It's also making me want to visit Greece (something to add to my list for another year, perhaps).

I committed my first random act of kindness today...not for the sake of adding it to the list, but because I had an opportunity to make someone else happy, which in turn made me happy. What could be better than that?

Thank you again to everyone for being so supportive...and thank you to everyone who has suggested a song for my Forty for 40 playlist. I have enjoyed this diverse list of songs and artists, and thinking about each of you as I listen to the song you suggested. Here's the list so far (not counting the CDs given and/or offered, which I also love!):

"Such Great Heights"-The Postal Service
"Diablo Roja"-Rodrigo y Gabrliela
"Superwoman"-Alicia Keys
"Zanzibar"-Billy Joel
"Hold Me Down"-Gin Blossoms
"Don't Wait Too Long"-Madeleine Peyroux
"I Wish For"-Bai Kamara
"Better Things"-Dar Williams
"My Generation"-The Who
"Meteor Shower"-Owl City
"What Will They Write On Your Stone"-The Brilliant Mistakes
"Somewhere Trouble Don't Go"-The Gibson Brothers
"Underwater"-Midnight Oil
"Alejandro"-Lady GaGa

Keep 'em coming...and thank you!