#MondayMotivation - A Healthier Mike: May 2020 Update

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THE GOOD STUFF

  • Every day had at least a walk (only a few were less than 4 miles)

  • Learned more about stretches necessary for keeping my hip, knee, and back in check

  • I hiked! Oh my glob did I hike! It was glorious, too. Thirty miles of hiking felt wonderful after months with little to none.

  • I feel well enough to start running again

  • I managed to maintain my weight, without gaining anything

  • It was another month over 150 miles of activity (168 actually, even 162 if you take out the biking)

  • My lowest daily steps was in the 9000s which is great

  • I closed my rings every day, in theory. I missed one day of standing because I left my watch on the charger for 6 hours. BUT, I did stand so…whatever.

  • Average daily mileage was over 4 miles

  • I know where I need to improve and refocus.

  • I feel good and I think I look better. My confidence is a little higher these days.

  • Ran my fastest mile to date!

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THE NOT-SO-GOOD

  • I miss the gym

  • I need more sleep

  • I need to stop letting myself be dragged down by others

  • I didn’t lose as much weight as I was hoping, and I certainly didn’t build any muscle but I maintained so I guess that’s a neutral

  • My bike was neglected, as were my running shoes. Stupid hips.

  • I had a lot of binge-type days that included truckloads of alcohol and snacks. I learned it doesn’t ruin the whole process, but certainly doesn’t help. The water weight/bloating from one snack/drink happy hour stayed with me for a few days and really killed my vibe.


MENTAL HEALTH

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  • Even though work is at home, I’ve learned to leave it in the corner after hours.

  • I’m about over my own stupidity. I have a lot of solutions for my own problems but no willpower or energy to do anything. It’s awful.

  • Constantly having to respond and reach out to people can be tiresome, even for this extrovert. Sorry not sorry if I seem anti-social or haven’t reached out “enough” lately.

  • Sleep is a constant battle… there was a period of time I was sleeping a lot, or a lot more than normal. Now, I’m back to being weird. I’m staying up late, which is my not so secret favorite, and waking up just in time to do a morning work call. This is not enjoyable. I wish there was a world where I could stay up late and get up early, like I used to, but there’s not. SO, I’m going to start trying to sleep before 11pm again and wake up at 6am. That’s the goal for June.

  • I’m reminded of how lucky I am in these trying times. SO VERY FUCKING LUCKY, even if things sometimes just shit all over me.

  • I am my own worst enemy.

  • Apple Health isn’t the end-all-be-all. It’s a tool in bettering yourself. I rely too heavily on this for what? For my own tracking and motivation. I need to stop letting it really bother me. If I’m doing enough and feeling fine, fuck it.

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GOALS FOR JUNE

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  • Read a Damn Book!
    OK, TV be damned. I’m going to set a tough goal of reading 6 books this month to catch up for the year and get my head out of the programming.

  • More Salads & Greens.
    Veggies are my friend. I haven’t had enough lately, and it shows. Time to re-up the salads and make them in bulk for lunches.

  • Social Media Break (3 days, at least)
    I’m heading off the grid to the cabin to do some work/relax for at least three days.

  • Run Run Run!
    May was a total bust for running, whatever. I will run my ass off in June. My race isn’t canceled, yet!

  • Keep going!
    Now that the state parks are open, I plan to make up the lost hikes of 2020. I’m checking off quest goals while hitting mileage ideals.

  • FOUR+ Hikes in June
    Got some really good hikes in during May, hopeful for as many ore more in June.

  • 175 Miles.
    I hit 160, so I’m going to try for 175. Obviously, if I run, walk, and bike in the same day it could really amp it up.

  • Lose 5+ pounds
    I know it’s not about the weight, but I need to rethink what I’m eating and drinking and really push to be better overall and I think this is a reasonable number to shoot for. I’d like to end the sixth month 50 pounds down for the year.


THOUGHTS, NOTES, CONCLUSIONS

  • I am on the right path. My momentum kind of stalled in May, but added hiking kept me going. I’m still working on my food/alcohol/exercise balance and getting more sleep. This is the right path and my clothes falling off are proof.

  • I am using Noom. My Noom was reset by 4 weeks to help me improve and reinvigorate me. I’m basically using it to track and I really need to be more mindful of what the lessons are each day.

  • I have accepted the new me. I still enjoy some days with indulgence, and that’s not going to change. If I have to cut something completely out of my life, I don’t succeed. The beauty of my main meals being overall better for me is that the indulgence days don’t completely fuck me over in the long run. Balance, baby! (Still a work in progress)

  • I’m still like running. I am going to amp it back up this month. I’ve got pages of stretches and yoga moves to help keep me limber.

  • For real REAL. I’m finally on a path that allows me to have the things I want with little sacrifice as far as food and drink go. It feels good to be in the 280s and not going back up. It feels good to know that I can have a burger and fries, once in a while.

Oh, why do I compare myself to everyone?
And I always got my finger on the self destruct
— Demi Lovato - I Love Me
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