Goal Date: September 1, 2013

...This may sound too simple, but is great in consequence.

Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too.

A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way. I learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s couplets:

    Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.
    Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!

- W. H. Murray, from The Scottish Himalayan Expedition (1951)

Something RLB discussed with me the other day has been swirling around in my head. I appreciate so much how he takes the time to teach and guide me towards betterment. What he talked with me about was intentions verses results.

I always keep a very substantial to do list. It's one of the things I love and hate about myself simultaneously. I love that it keeps me organized and focused. I hate that I'm never done doing. There's always something that can weigh on my mind of what I need to get done and often times I allow it to overwhelm me and distract me from feeling content.

I decided that day to complete two items on my to do list; clean the shed and clean the garage. I got busy early in the morning. I trimmed the grass on the side of the garage, treated the area with bug spray, created an orderly wood pile, hauled garbage from the shed up to the garage for garbage day, hauled the items that were cluttering up the garage into the shed, swept, sorted, and organized both.

Ta-da! 

What's next?

RLB could tell that I wasn't feeling the sense of accomplishment that I should have felt after completing the task I set out to do. He said, "You seem to focus primarily on intent and not on results. You should be feeling great about all that you were able to get done today. Look around, the garage looks terrific. Yet you are thinking of all the other things you need to get done."

I've continued to think on this and how it applies to my weight loss and fitness journey. I was very successful at hitting a weight loss goal a few years ago when he was in Officer Candidate School. I had purchased a beautiful dress to wear to his graduation that was three sizes too small. I had set the bar high and had to focus on the results. I only had a few months worth of time to hit the goal. This kept me very motivated each and every day. I didn't have a day to spare. I could not procrastinate. I had to keep on going.

I haven't had that kind of focus and determination this time around. I have a goal in mind but I don't have a date on it. Because exercise has become a lifelong commitment for me, I've had a "when it happens, it happens" attitude about my goals. However this has allowed for me to excuse a few days here and there when I've gotten complacent. I've had some excuses and overall haven't put in the consistent effort it will take to finish losing this excess fat.

Even as I write this, I'm hesitating because I know what I'm about to do and when I hit "publish" I'll be committed. Ugh!

I will be using this post as a daily journal of what I do each day from now until September 1, 2013.

That is the goal date.

September 1, 2013.  I will weigh 150 pounds. My BMI will be 22.8. My fat percentage will be 24%.

I will be doing a combination of lifting weights, high intensity interval training, brisk walking, or whatever else (the deck of cards workout, for example).

You are invited to join me in this. Please feel free to use this post as your daily journal, or start your own. It will be linked at the upper right of the blog under the title: Goal date: September 1, 2013.

Okay.

Ready...Set...Publish!