Summing up January

I started February off with a great (although slow) 5,5 km run around my neighbourhood, following it with day 19 of my 30 day strength training challenge. That one included 160 squats and 70 sit-ups, among other things. I have to admit that it is getting more and more difficult, although it is also great to feel that I’m getting stronger and stronger every day. I can also feel the improvements in my runs, very tiny improvements but they are there. What I feel mostly is that I’m not as tired afterwards as I was in the beginning. I’m still very slow but I’m sure speed will come with persistence.

In January, I had three challenges to overcome, or goals to reach. The strength challenge is ongoing. Number two was getting into a routine of running/walking no less than 3 days a week. I’ve gone way over that goal and seem to be running/walking 5-6 days a week now. Which is making me feel fantastic. The last goal was to document all my kilometres on Endomondo and share it on Facebook. This I have also succeeded to do. And I think I will simply just keep it up. I walked/ran 85 kilometers in February, can you imagine that. So fantastic, I'm over the moon with pride of myself. Good job, Bryndis!

After the 30 day strength challenge, I’m looking into a strength training program specially designed for runners, and plan to put that into action immediately after the challenge is over. I also had other goals in January, that are not directly connected to my half marathon training, and I’ve reached all of them. I’m working hard on creating the future I want for myself, and on the kind of person I want to be. That includes becoming more confident and not being afraid to follow my own path even if that may be difficult or not what other people might do. And I’m definitely on my way with that goal. My vegetarianism goal is also going strong, and I simply don’t miss meat at all. There are so many good vegetarian recipes out there, and of course as I’m still eating fish I suppose I’m not feeling the true effects of vegetarianism yet. These are, however, things I look forward to dealing with and I think I am more than ready. At least I fell wonderful knowing that I’m not contributing to the horrible conditions factory chickens have to live in!

Obviously, as now we are in February, I need to find more goals and challenges for myself. In spite of all my exercise in January, my weight and measurements have not changed one bit since January 1^st. I suppose that has something to do with my sweet tooth! Because, as much as I’m concentrating on eating well, I also eat bad. And not just sometimes. I am completely and totally addicted to chocolate. So! One of my goals and challenges for February is to only eat chocolate (and any other sweets) on Saturdays. Putting my self-discipline into overdrive and seriously challenging myself. One has to think big to achieve big! I’m sure this will be successful and I look forward to logging in my success at the end of this month! Another goal I will be working towards is writing down my goals everyday as well as planning my day in advance. This advice I got from Brian Tracy, who I’m now hooked on. I got myself a spiral notebook and started off this morning by writing down 10 goals for this year, as well as writing down what I will be doing today. Fantastic.

I hope you are all having a good day and are striving towards something meaningful in your lives. Remember, the number one enemy to achieving anything is the comfort zone so I challenge all of you to step outside of it and reach for the stars. That is what I’m doing!

Now, I've gotta run ;) Gonna have a great day with some great ladies.