Goals

I know that I have written endlessly about goals in the past, and while sometimes those game plans fall by the wayside, I am often more apt to stick to them when I call them out and, more specifically, when I write about them.

So, that's what I'm doing now.

But first, I have some super exciting news!

On August 15, 2018, my best friend, my partner, my boo, asked me to marry him.

We are over-the-moon excited. We are so happy, so in love, and so loved. Also, I just want to marry him tomorrow; just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes.

Photo by Nicki Lynn Photography

A week after we were engaged, I "said yes to the dress." I tried on two of them and knew almost immediately that the second one was the one for me. It is beautiful, and I am going to feel even more stunning in it when I feel just a smidge better about myself on the daily.

So, I have a plan.

1. I am going to continue my workout plan; I am currently exercising five days a week, and that's going pretty well for me. On Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, I do Pilates; three of those days are normal reformer classes (with springboard, barre, etc.) sprinkled in, and one of those days is a reformer-based cardio sculpt class. On Thursdays, I workout with an incredible trainer who focuses on High Intensity Strength Training, training to Momentary Muscle Failure. It is so, so hard, but I already feel so, so strong.

2. I am going to continue my newly-adapted drug and supplement regime. About six weeks ago, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I had been feeling so ridiculously exhausted; like, I woke up in the morning and immediately thought of when I would be able to take a nap, I had no desire to do anything other than work or sleep (simply due to lack of energy), etc. I told my friend, who is a physician's assistant, that I was going to see a doctor about anti-depressants, and she encouraged me to ask about a thyroid test. I told her that I'd had one last year, and it came back normal. She read the results and said that I needed a full panel. So, I requested that, and sure enough, the doctor called and said I had low thyroid and needed to start medication.

I noticed a change almost immediately, and it has been wonderful. Sure, there are still days that I'm more tired than normal, but those are typically after a busy day at work, a night of not-so-amazing sleep (which is really quite rare), or a weekend in Paris.

This is during my stretch of 36 hours without sleep.

Clearly, ponytails were my preferred hairstyle on this whirlwind trip.

(How bougie did that sound?!)

In addition to taking my thyroid meds, I started taking some supplements: a probiotic, Vitamin D (which will also help with fatigue), and a pre-natal vitamin. (No, I am not pregnant; yes, I do want amazing hair and nails for the wedding.) I am also drinking a glass of Metamucil every night because, well, fiber is the most magical thing on the planet.

3. I am going to continue drinking alllllllll the water. I am currently drinking a huge glass of water in the morning when I take my thyroid drugs, a bottle of water at/after Pilates, 2-3 glasses of water during the school day (which is challenging, simply because I'm not able to pee whenever the heck I want), one glass of water in the evening, and then a glass with Metamucil before bed. Other than water, the only things I drink are coffee (every day), kombucha (maybe once a week lately), and wine (maybe twice a week). I'm going to try and up the water intake a little bit, just to ensure I'm as hydrated as possible. I notice such a difference in my satiety -- as well as my skin, bloat, etc.

4. I am going to get back to steppin'. I have an on-and-off-again relationship with my Fitbit. I wore it every day for months -- and got 10,000 steps every day for months. And then ankle surgery happened. And then excuses happened. I'm going to shoot for 8,000 steps a day to start, simply since it's getting to be winter, and I don't have a regular gym membership (hence no treadmill access) anymore. Stay tuned.

5. I am going to work on my nutrition. 

I started this post a few weeks ago, and at that point, I wrote about how I was bouncing between nutritional plans, primarily sticking with Whole30/Paleo but wondering about keto and strongly considering macros. Essentially, I mentioned how I did super well at home but then failed miserably when it came to the treats that miraculously appeared in the teachers' lounge.

Since that post was drafted, though, I decided to try something else entirely: Weight Watchers.

I chatted with my mama over Thanksgiving, and she encouraged me to give this a go, as it really helped jumpstart her nutrition-wise. I checked out the Black Friday sales, and I (kind of impulsively) bit the bullet with a six-month membership. I've been messing around on the app and website a little today, and I am officially starting the program tomorrow.

One thing that I think is going to help me stay on track is money. First, I'm spending quite a bit on my workout regime -- Pilates and the trainer -- and I'm now spending money on Weight Watchers, too. Reminding myself that I am doling out those dolla dolla bills so that I can look and feel a certain way -- and then not eating the best that I can (most of the time) -- is effectively a waste of that money.

I am very externally motivated, so that just may work.

And although I'm not going to make this one of my "official" goals (as I really, really, really like multiples of five), I am going to try and blog more regularly. Like I've mentioned before, writing does good things for my spirit -- and is definitely a creative outlet for me -- and I know it'll be pivotal in tracking my progress, holding myself accountable, etc.

Hopefully I'll "see" y'all within the next couple of days. :)

Peace out,