Daily check-in thread for July 31, 2007

Goal: Bike to work (and back)
Log entry: Did it again, it was already a lot easier than yesterday. A dog attacked and bit me on the way, which gave me quite a scare. Can't these stupid people keep their beasts under control??? But there seems to be no serious harm done. I seem to be attracting such incidents at the moment - got to watch out for myself. 8-for-20 (40%)

Watchlist: Get up early (5:15 am)
Log entry: Got up at a little after 6, getting better each day. 33-for-59 (56%)

Comments: This marks the end of a not-so-successful monthly challenge. I let myself slip on a few days, but also had some serious setbacks to deal with this month. This has been a terribly busy month as well. So, although I'm not satisfied with the results (actually, I do miss my extra time in the mornings from getting up early), I did not give up entirely and will start the August challenge with renewed vigor.

hi everyone! it's been a while. i haven't done the daily check in because i've been really busy.

hope everyone is well.

goal: to do at least one thing to prepare for my teaching job and to exercise mon-sat.

progress: well...i've been really busy setting up my classroom and working on lesson plans...so i think i did good as far as my goal to prepare. i start work tomorrow. the exercising hasn't been good at all. i've been forgetting to do my exercises. maybe that'll be my challenge next month.

take care!

Goal: At least one post per day in my blog.

Status: Success (Underway Intolerances) for 31 July 2007. (24/29)

This was a good exercise for me, since it forced to me think about coming up with something to post. It has enabled me to refine my thoughts and find new direction for what I was looking for in the ways of my blog attempts.

Goal: daily exercise

Report: yesterday I had a great run of a little under an hour, with a tempo interval in the middle 20 minutes of it. Today I did a 20-minute run followed by a 20-minute strength session.

Great way to end the Challenge! Next month I hope to continue the exercise, intensifying it a little, while focusing a little more on my diet.

Goal: sleep 8.
Result: slept 7.
Also: morning routine of meditation, morning pages, reading The Artist's Way.

I'm trying hard to get my sleep, but there's always competing interests, like reading (and last night, watching a movie--that really sucks up a lot of time). I try at least to not slip below 7 hours.

My new morning routine has been a complete bonus. This was not on my Challenge list at all, but things I've been wanting to reinstitute. Getting enough sleep seems to have allowed this to happen.

Goal: Get up at 5:00 monday through friday.

Progress: No problem. Got up and did a core workout.

A successful July challenge for me. I think I've started a new habit that will significantly enhance my life. Congratulations to everyone who made it through!

On to August...

Bleh. This is my last day, and I've not done so well - but I think I did better than June. I fulfilled my goal - to study for the GRE 30 minutes a day - 14 out of 31 days. It's possible I'll put some time in tonight, but seeing as tonight is my book club, that's probably unlikely.

Read books at least 1/2 an hour a day: 31/31

Although I was really busy this month, I stuck to my goal - that's really great!
For the first few days, I had a second challenge (practising guitar) which I stopped because it became too much.

I have some ideas how i will approach the next challenge, but I will sleep over it before I set the seal on my goal(s) for August.

I am coming into July 31 with {27 for 30 in July}.

Promise:

#1 Fitness: Yoga Zone Beginner Exercise #1

#2 Get out: 45 m Yard work out to the SouthEast corner of the front yard.

#3 Integrity: Create August challenge and create my promises for August 1.

-"orcmid"

#1 is complete. I am noticing that I am getting deeper into some poses now, and my best previous levels are being approached. The areas of remaining inflexibility are pretty daunting though. It is going to take some extended regular practice to make headway.

Today is a nice summer day and I will enjoy being out later.

Goal 1 - to do morning routine
Goal 2 - 10 minutes decluttering
Goal 3 - 10 minutes housework

Did my morning routine so that's 17 for 20
Haven't done this yet so that's 11 for 20
Haven't done this yet so that's 14 for 20

Goal 1 - to do morning routine
Goal 2 - 10 minutes decluttering
Goal 3 - 10 minutes housework

Did my morning routine so that's 17 for 20
Haven't done this yet so that's 11 for 20
Haven't done this yet so that's 14 for 20

-"Unorganised"

Just finished cleaning the bathroom so that takes housework to 15 for 20

My goal is to get to bed by 1 a.m. and up by 9 a.m. and last night, once again, I blew it - what typically happens is I fall asleep and can't make it until 1, wake up at 3 and can't get back to sleep. Oh well....the July challenge was a bust in that sense but it did teach me that the night shift is not for me. So I made a major decision to quit that job and my last day is Thursday. I think this is a really positive step and I'm very happy with this decision - I think getting enough sleep will make a big difference for me and help me move forward on a lot other goals. So even though I failed the July challenge, I think I've salvaged some positive out of it and I'm pleased with that.
The other good thing is that despite all the craziness and sleep deprivation, I've managed to keep up my daily exercise habit from last month-almost perfectly. So I'm really happy with that.
Congratulations on all your successes and good luck next month!

I'm not going to record my calories here today. I got some takeout and haven't estimated it yet and I decided to take the night off! I will record in my spreadsheet, just not here. You can all get a rest from my calories too. Looking forward to the August Challenge.

goal: exercise at least 30 minutes every day

I went to swim practice today and did 2800 meters - my best day yet. A good way to end the month.

no exercises today because I got my wisdom tooth pulled/cuttet out.

So its 26/31 for the July challenge.

Goal : to make better use of my time on three counts
1. watching less tv
2. reading "your money or your life" couple of pages everyday
3. reading my emails about 3 times a day

My achievements on all the 3 counts
1. watching less tv - i think i failed pretty badly on this challenge. I am retaking this challenge in August
2. reading " your money or your life" - started reading in mid july and i should say i have continued to read it everyday - good progress on this count
3. reading emails about 3 times a day - have got the email checking habit in control. so now no more curious and inquisitive to read my emails every hour, like food - morning, noon and night are alright........ its good to know that my world didn't come crashing down since i was not able to read my emails :D

Goal: Avoid RSS feeds and Forums from work computer.

This is crazy. I wasn't even tempted today! Habit learned! :-)

Thanks, Leo, for the idea of doing this and for creating such a supportive board!

I missed four days this month. Mostly for vacation or guests. So I have to keep up my habit next month whether I'm with other people or not.

I am coming into July 31 with {27 for 30 in July}.

Promise:

#1 Fitness: Yoga Zone Beginner Exercise #1

#2 Get out: 45 m Yard work out to the SouthEast corner of the front yard.

#3 Integrity: Create August challenge and create my promises for August 1.

-"orcmid"

#1 is complete. I am noticing that I am getting deeper into some poses now, and my best previous levels are being approached. The areas of remaining inflexibility are pretty daunting though. It is going to take some extended regular practice to make headway.

Today is a nice summer day and I will enjoy being out later.

-"orcmid"

#2 is complete. I completed pruning and weeding along the South side of the house, following the fence out to the sidewalk. That was nice.

#3 is complete. I figured it out on July 31, but I didn't want to claim it until I added it to the August Challenge this morning.

I completed with {28 for 31 in July}. 90%