January 2012

[Lightman]

I was watching the latest biggest finale (I love that show, I very much relate to the contestants) and the winner gave this great speech about how he had overcome all the bad things in his life by having small successes and somehow tying them together. That had taught him how to be a winner again. That struck a core. Big steps are hard for me with MD, but what if I can take baby steps and link them together?
Year 2012, 12 months, 12 challenges, 30 days each... I haven't planned the whole year out, one month at a time. each small step interlacing my real world self and MD persona closer together.
Each month I'm starting a discussion "January 2012" an so on, each day I'm going to try to make  a small journal entry. At the end of the month I'm going to make a blog summary (hopefully with some pics) of the month. By journaling the ups and downs.  By trying to measure my efforts I really hope that I can stay motivated and see this through. 
If there is anyone else who wants to join in, you are more than welcome! Your goals and monthly challenge can differ from mine. 
So January. The first order of business is for me to chuck out my ADSL, tv and put my computer under lock and bolt. These are all major culprits in my MD taking a turn for the supernatural and ostentatiousness that will kill my new years resolution. Btw via cellphone  I can't access my blog or most of the other stuff on this site. 
January is media detox and back to basics month. In MD I'm a very fit (runs marathons, has abs) and very organized person. In real life, the only exercise I get is running to the subway in the morning, because I never can find my stuff so I'm always running late...
This month I will:1 get 8hours of sleep2 work out, at least 3 times per week3 eat a balanced diet (no more potato chips for dinner)4 clean and organize my home5 only DD about actual me 

[sasi]

Wow.This is a really inspiring topic.We daydreamers are so used to living in our heads it makes so much sense to balance it out by actually doing useful things in real life.The thrill we get from our dd can then be got through our real achievements.

I'm with you on the weightloss/healthy diet/exercise regime.All gone a bit haywire recently and new year is a good time to restart.You have inspired me to get of my ever expanding butt and hit the gym.Bag all packed to go tomorrow.Healthy eating already starting today.I junked trash media for about the last 6 months.What a difference it makes.I realise what a waste of time it is and also how completely irrelevant to my life.

Also like the idea of fusing our dd selves with our real selves.In the last few months I have replaced my dd persona with my real self(minus the odd moody/bad hair day of course).I feel so much more self confident as a result.

Lightman-keep up the good work.You can add "inspiring others" to your list of achievements for Jan 2012

[Lightman]

Wow Sasi our journeys have a lot of similarities! Loved to read that you've already had your own version of a media detox and that incorporating yourself in your DDs has made you more confident! Gives me hope! Yesterday was my first time to the gym, I was a bit intimidated by all the spandex clad fit people... But I guess you have to start  Somewhere, let me know how it goes! 

sasi said:

Wow.This is a really inspiring topic.We daydreamers are so used to living in our heads it makes so much sense to balance it out by actually doing useful things in real life.The thrill we get from our dd can then be got through our real achievements.

I'm with you on the weightloss/healthy diet/exercise regime.All gone a bit haywire recently and new year is a good time to restart.You have inspired me to get of my ever expanding butt and hit the gym.Bag all packed to go tomorrow.Healthy eating already starting today.I junked trash media for about the last 6 months.What a difference it makes.I realise what a waste of time it is and also how completely irrelevant to my life.

Also like the idea of fusing our dd selves with our real selves.In the last few months I have replaced my dd persona with my real self(minus the odd moody/bad hair day of course).I feel so much more self confident as a result.

Lightman-keep up the good work.You can add "inspiring others" to your list of achievements for Jan 2012

[Lightman]

Jan 3.Today I had an insane 12hour of running around like crazy day at work. 1/3 of my team are at home with the flu and all the stuff we put off before Christmas came back and bit us in the butt with a vengeance! I love my job, so it was rewarding and I did ok managing the fires. So at the end of the day I was happy, but my hair looked like a birds nest and I also felt like crying. Instead of hitting the gym after work, my assistant and I went to the lunch room and ate some leftover Christmas candy. Best plan ever! I only had 3 small bits of chocolate, then at home I opted for spinach soup and as blueberry smoothie. The balanced diet is in check, that's good because I'm not even touching a single bit of clutter tonight.Roxanne, Elizabeth and Sasi! Your comments totally make my day, thank you for keeping me motivated and inspiring me to continue!, keep up the good work :) 

[roxanne]

Alright.  Jan.3.  I have gained 6 pounds over the Holidays, but thank God this whole topic has gotten me revved up & ready to seriously work on getting healthy& fit, or I would be seriously depressed about it.  I gave myself a break from the scales and , at least for me, that is not a good thing to do.  I do much better being mindful of what I am eating, weighing, etc.  Speaking of mindfulness, I got this in a video for New Year's, and I just loved it:

The New Year lies before you, like a spotless tract of snow.

Be careful how you tread on it, for every mark will show.

[Lightman]

I love this quote! I have been reciting it to myself all day. Thank you :) 

roxanne said:

Alright.  Jan.3.  I have gained 6 pounds over the Holidays, but thank God this whole topic has gotten me revved up & ready to seriously work on getting healthy& fit, or I would be seriously depressed about it.  I gave myself a break from the scales and , at least for me, that is not a good thing to do.  I do much better being mindful of what I am eating, weighing, etc.  Speaking of mindfulness, I got this in a video for New Year's, and I just loved it:

The New Year lies before you, like a spotless tract of snow.

Be careful how you tread on it, for every mark will show.

[Wish Upon A Wish]

That's a great idea! I was going to say that I should try that but, well, school hasn't started yet and I'm doing six subjects and probably far too many sports (3 years ago I only did climbing, and didn't take it seriously. I do now, though. And regret not taking it seriously before. But then again, I was massively sleep-deprived at the time.)

Plus, I've said on a couple other posts that I'll try doing what someone's said they're doing, and haven't started anything yet. Actually, I started a blog, mostly about DDing, and a little about the other stuff in my life. A lot that goes on in my life, including stupid teenage things like crushes won't be on there, on the near-impossible chance that someone I actually know will see it haha

[Lightman]

Wow, you sound pretty rock and roll! Maybe the only thing that you should put more effort into is sleep. Sleep depravation and high altitudes could be risky! 

Sandy said:

That's a great idea! I was going to say that I should try that but, well, school hasn't started yet and I'm doing six subjects and probably far too many sports (3 years ago I only did climbing, and didn't take it seriously. I do now, though. And regret not taking it seriously before. But then again, I was massively sleep-deprived at the time.)

Plus, I've said on a couple other posts that I'll try doing what someone's said they're doing, and haven't started anything yet. Actually, I started a blog, mostly about DDing, and a little about the other stuff in my life. A lot that goes on in my life, including stupid teenage things like crushes won't be on there, on the near-impossible chance that someone I actually know will see it haha

[sasi]

It's good that we can all spur each other on with our goals.

Lightman-good job on not caving in to old habits even after an exhausting day.I'm so impressed that you could just have a bit of chocolate and stop there.And you managed the gym as well.Ignore the spandex.No matter how good you look there really is no excuse for some gym outfits!The gym I go to is very low key but has great equipment so not too intimidating.

I havn't been for 3 weeks now and today's plan has got complicated with other things to do.However I am going to do a home exercise dvd this evening instead.I have been so inert the last couple of weeks I may not be able to walk tomorrow!!!

Eating went well yesterday-Japanese meal for supper.Healthy and delicious.

Like Roxanne I have 6lbs to loose over the next few weeks.Hopefully in time for Feb when we can all move on to goals for Feb 2012.just think how perfect we will all be by 2013 :)

Wishing you all a successful day

[Lightman]

I think that we are already perfect, we just need a bit of polishing... This is going to be our year :) btw what DVD do you have, any recommendations? 

sasi said:

It's good that we can all spur each other on with our goals.

Lightman-good job on not caving in to old habits even after an exhausting day.I'm so impressed that you could just have a bit of chocolate and stop there.And you managed the gym as well.Ignore the spandex.No matter how good you look there really is no excuse for some gym outfits!The gym I go to is very low key but has great equipment so not too intimidating.

I havn't been for 3 weeks now and today's plan has got complicated with other things to do.However I am going to do a home exercise dvd this evening instead.I have been so inert the last couple of weeks I may not be able to walk tomorrow!!!

Eating went well yesterday-Japanese meal for supper.Healthy and delicious.

Like Roxanne I have 6lbs to loose over the next few weeks.Hopefully in time for Feb when we can all move on to goals for Feb 2012.just think how perfect we will all be by 2013 :)

Wishing you all a successful day

[Elizabeth]

@Lightman yeah... It's been difficult. Sometimes I think we get caught up what others are doing and sometimes it seems like they are leading more exciting or successful lives. But after a discussion with my brother I realized how people are living their life for social networking and hyping things up to look better. And there is always so much drama from people posting things that upset others, or just fights that you see people getting involved in. I decided that I could do with less of what others are doing and focus more on me. I haven't missed it as much as I thought.

I have also been trying to shed a few and started around august/september. I have lost 14-15 lbs but have plateaued there since the holidays (and maybe gained 1 or 2 back) but I did better this year than previous ones. I am still thinking of more goals but this has definitely been an inspiration!

[Lightman]

14-15lbs just this fall is seriously awesome :) go Elizabeth!  I stay away from Facebook too, it just feels so vain and fake. It makes me sad. 

Elizabeth said:

@Lightman yeah... It's been difficult. Sometimes I think we get caught up what others are doing and sometimes it seems like they are leading more exciting or successful lives. But after a discussion with my brother I realized how people are living their life for social networking and hyping things up to look better. And there is always so much drama from people posting things that upset others, or just fights that you see people getting involved in. I decided that I could do with less of what others are doing and focus more on me. I haven't missed it as much as I thought.

I have also been trying to shed a few and started around august/september. I have lost 14-15 lbs but have plateaued there since the holidays (and maybe gained 1 or 2 back) but I did better this year than previous ones. I am still thinking of more goals but this has definitely been an inspiration!

[Lightman]

Jan 4. Work was hectic, but I managed to duck out a bit earlier. Leaving work I purposefully  chose not to pass the lunchroom with the heaps of candy. I had half a banana on the way to the gym, did 30killer minutes on the cross trainer all the while DD that Jillian Michaels was screaming "I want you to feel like your dying" to me. Got home had a smoothie, put some frozen veggies and shrimp + brown rice (cooked it on Sunday) in a pot and set it on low. Then I had a shower, when I got out my dinner was ready :) I'm working hard on trying to find easy and useful habits to form and so far this has been useful:1. Leaving work I snack on a fruit, so that when I get home I'm not famished or really full.  2. When I get home the only thing I do is change to my gym clothes and head out, I don't even sit down or check my post.  3. My current DD is me being on JM new reality show. This is how I managed to clean for 8hours straight on Sunday.   4. Having my blender ready on on my kitchen counter and having smoothie supplies in my freezer so that I after work quickly can make a smoothie, makes me really happy. The more positive feelings I can tie to my work outs the better! 5. Tonight's dinner rocked! It was delicious, healthy and easy. Just coming out of the shower and not have to do anything. Aaaah! I need more ideas of stuff I can quickly steam :)   Between 8:30-9:30pm I'm fighting clutter and then sleep.