Happy New Year!!! Happy New Plan!!!

Happy 2009 Everyone!

Here's to hoping that it's a better year than last.

I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce you all to the new me. I've spent the past hour and a half developing a new plan to get myself in shape over the next nine months.

I'm not going to lie to anyone - I've let myself go over the past three weeks. BUT - as my blogger friend Laura has taught me, you can't let a few mistakes cause you to quit for good.

Therefore, the Healthy Lifestyle Adventure is starting anew! This time, I have a specific plan to get to my goal activity level.

Here are the details:

-I work out 5 days a week (I am a student and though this may be difficult at times I should be able to find at least five times during the week to take 30 minutes to an hour to exercise).

-My plan focuses specifically on running (it is simple to modify it for any other form of activity that you might enjoy - ie: swimming, biking, walking, etc) The workouts begin with short runs or cardiovascular work. As the weeks progress, the running distance increases to my goal of 20 miles. Keep in mind, 20 miles sounds ridiculous to me right now too, but I have given myself plenty of timeto reach this huge goal.

-Two to four times a week I incorporate a weight-lifting routine after my run. This will be anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes, depending on what school work allows for.

-I will weigh myself twice weekly, and record the weight every Sunday. As I've said before, my weight is not what I care about. I simply want to be in good shape. BUT, watching my weight closely, without obsessing over it, is a great way to make sure I'm not letting unwanted calories sneak by.

-I will update this blog each day that I workout, so that I can remind myself of my accomplishments while updating all of you on my progress.

-Each day, even on days that I do not plan any other physical activity, I will do a cruch workout. For the first 12 weeks I will do 3 sets of 25 crunches daily. In the second 12 weeks I will do 3 sets of 50 crunches daily. In the final 12 weeks I will do 3 sets of 75 crunches daily. I use the term "crunch" incorrectly - by this I mean any activity that works my abdominal muscles, not just the normal sit-up.

-I will plan out each meal the night before. For example, on Sunday night, before I go to sleep I will plan out what I will eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and for two small snacks in between. I will stick to this plan as much as possible. I will allow myself one "cheat" meal per week, when I am unable to stick to the plan and go out to eat at a not-so-healthy establishment.

With these seven simply steps I hope to be in the best shape of my life before 2009 comes to a close. Really, I'm not naiive. I understand how difficult this is going to be. But hey, it wouldn't be an adventure if it all came easily!

Wish me luck!