February Goals

It's hard to believe we're in February already! January was such a crazy month for me and I really let my emotions take over which made my progress suffer. This month I really want to stay away from daily weigh-ins and anything else that's going to make me crazy; which lead me to this post - it's time to get some goals for the month figured out.
1) Get motivated!
For some extra challenge I went ahead and joined a couple (4 to be exact) challenges on Facebook this month. I figured I could use some extra motivation to get moving so why not. I originally had signed up for more, but once I started putting them all on one calendar I realized how crazy the month was getting, so I dropped out of some; seriously, I wasn't trying to un-motivate myself - LOL. I'm now on day 7 and still going strong. The plank challenge is by far the toughest one! I look like a block of jello while doing them especially since we've hit the 2 minute plus mark. The guy running the challenge (a facebook page called, "Get your ass to the Gym") gave some pretty good advice: hold the plank for as long as you can and then drop down for 5 seconds and then get right back up there. It really does help. My biggest problem though is once I drop down for 5 seconds I have trouble holding it for long periods of time. I try to get to at least 1:30 before I drop. Finishing the month off with a 4:15 plank seems scary, but I know how much stronger my core will be for it.
2) Weekly Weigh-In and Taping
The girls and I are going to do a weekly weigh-in on Wednesday's. I'm hoping this keeps me from going mental by weighing myself daily and freaking out about the numbers. Also, since my biggest goal is not to lose too much more weight (maybe 10 more) I'll be doing my measurements. When I took them this is what I found out:
Beginning January / Beginning February
weight: 159 / 158
chest: 37 / 36
waist: 34 / 32.5
thighs: 26.5 / 25.5
hips: 37 / 38
arms: 12 / 12 (flexed: 13)
Looks like the little bit of LiveFit Trainer I was able to stick with plus my running was working. I was too busy crying about a number on a scale to notice. My pants were fitting tighter because my hips got bigger (probably because my butt was lifting from all the squats/lunges/running). So, my goal for this month is to not focus on the number (it'll just serve as a guide to make sure it's not creeping upwards) but to just keep working hard.
Here I am wearing 2 pair of pants, knee-highs, and 4 shirts getting ready to head out for my 20 degree run this past Saturday.

3) LiveFit Trainer Restart and Personal Trainers
I skipped the last week of phase 1 for LiveFit trainer and started phase 2 this week. The biggest reason is because phase 2 has cardio and I need to work on my running (especially since I've got lots of big races this year). I'll be doing the LiveFit Trainer until my hubby leaves again, then I'll be taking over his personal training sessions. I'm not really sure what the trainer will want to do, so for now I'm focusing on LiveFit and running and then I'll think about the trainer when the time comes.
4) Weight Loss Challenges
I dropped out of the one on post. I think that's part of the reason for the big freak out last month. It was silly to enter when I really don't want to lose that much more weight, my goal is to tone up and just get stronger. The challenge on post is all about the numbers and their scale showed me going up every week for 3 weeks so I decided to drop out and not focus on numbers. I also reminded myself that I joined the Gold's Gym one and I need to get my head in the game if I want to be successful with it.
5) Eating Clean
Today is day 2 of Phase 2 LiveFit Trainer and so far so good with following her plan. Saturday I'm meeting my best friend to celebrate her 30th birthday so I'm going to focus on eating clean until then so I can splurge a little with her (nothing crazy - just Starbucks and maybe dessert!). Yesterday's breakfast: 5 egg whites, 1/2 an Ezekiel english muffin, hot tea.

 Yesterday's lunch: 6 oz chicken breast, 4 oz sweet potato, huge salad, lots of water.

Yesterday for snack 1 I had pumpkin protein bars. Snack 2 (which is more like dinner) was 4 Tilapia tacos with broccoli slaw. My after workout drink: 8 oz almond milk, 1 scoop protein, 1/4 cup pumpkin, and lots of ice.
Today for breakfast - 5 egg whites, 1/2 cup oatmeal, 8 oz almond milk, 1/2 cup blueberries (lovely color isn't it?!?!), and hot tea.

I'm really proud of myself for no junk yesterday! I'm hoping to keep it up for a few more days. I'm very excited for February and positive thinking. Here's to many optimistic thoughts and a month full of great, inspiring blogs!!