(Un)Motivated

It seems like every time I start doing what I'm supposed to be doing (i.e. eating well and working out), something goes wrong.

For example, last time I blogged I had just started P90X, had a detailed running program in place, and was rocking it with healthy eating.

That same day that I started P90X, I got the flu.  Not only did I stop eating well (mac 'n cheese is about the only food I want when sick) and working out (hello, no lung capacity), but I also missed three (should've been four) days of work.

Last Monday (one week after getting sick), I finally started feeling more like myself.  However, my lungs were definitely not like themselves.  One day I walked the length of the school to get to my mailbox, and I was sure I was panting like a dog by the time I got back to my room.  Another day, a colleague and I were goofing off and raced each other in a full-out sprint to the copy machine, and I swear I thought my lungs were going to explode.  So, working out was definitely not on the agenda.

On Saturday, however, The Boy and I went to breakfast and decided to walk to the café.  Round-trip, it was about three miles.  It was a gorgeous day, and it was a wonderful walk (and breakfast) with my best friend.

Now that I am officially feeling better (despite being ridiculously unmotivated), I hope to get back on the healthy-living train.  I feel like every time I try to make a super-detailed plan, though, I get off track.   Like, if I have a three-month plan figured out and then miss two days of workouts, I feel like I failed the entire program.  Or if I have my weekly menu figured out and then something comes up and I "mess up," the whole week is a wash.

Maybe if I focus my training to one-week increments (keeping in mind that I will likely run a half marathon or three this spring) and avoid kicking myself if/when I eat a cookie or "mess up" in some other way, I will be more likely to succeed.

I am also planning on varying my workouts a little more.  I really hate running on a treadmill, and it is so darn cold outside that my lungs will hate me if I run outside.  And, frankly, I am not enjoying running as much as I normally do.  So, maybe I'll incorporate a few runs into my weekly plans, but I'm not going to kill myself to try and run five miles at the gym.

So, without further ado, here is my dinner plan for this week:

Monday: Chicken Tamale Casserole and Mexican Cole Slaw
Tuesday: leftovers from Monday since I have to work
Wednesday: leftovers from Monday since we have bowling ('cause we're nerds like that)
Thursday: Grilled Balsamic Skirt Steak with roasted veggies and red potatoes
Friday: date night (?)

And here is my workout plan for this week:

Monday: nada
Tuesday: spin (at 5:10 a.m.!)
Wednesday: Body Pump (at 5:05 a.m.!)
Thursday: run two miles
Friday: Body Pump (at 5:05 a.m.!)
Saturday and/or Sunday: walk/hike 2-3 miles

If I don't wake up super early for those morning workouts (and, let's face it: that's a real possibility), I'll head to the Y after school for a treadmill workout.  Ugh.

Please cross your fingers and send me happy thoughts that I will actually stick to the plan this week - and in weeks to come.  I'm sick of making excuses and changing my "goals" every time I post a new blog entry.  :)

On a different note: I really enjoy writing (and really miss my freelance gig), but sometimes I am just at a loss as to what I should write.  There are some days where my breakfast, lunch, and dinner are just too boring, and some days where I am sure you do not want to see yet another picture of my cats.  Please give me ideas as to what to write about.  For example, I am planning on writing a post about different blogs that I like.  I really enjoy reading others' "Friday Favorites" and might post something similar.

What else would you like to see on this little blog o' mine?