Beach Musings & Goals

It's the last full day of our beach vacation. I have been sitting on the beach under a tent feeling the breeze and watching the ocean. As minds are wont to do, my wanders until it latches on to a steady stream of thought... Nick's wedding will be here in about 10 months...my knees have been hurting a lot lately...I don't want to be this heavy at another family event...I know I can help my knees get stronger if I lose 60 lbs and strengthen my leg muscles...60 lbs. seems like a lot, how can I break that down and keep myself motivated?...a good place to start is 10% of your body weight, but I don't like the mid number 18...I could probably do 15 lbs. at a time...what if I could give myself a spa day after I lose each 15 lbs.?... I could pay myself $10 for every pound I lose, that would be $150 when I reach the 15 lb. goal...That wouldn't get a spa day, but it would buy a new outfit &/or a spa treatment...how long would it take?...at 2 lbs. per week I could give myself about 8 weeks...Okay, my birthday is in a couple of months, that would work...I'll pay myself instead of a diet program, get spa days and new clothes, be fit, and be thinner for the wedding...15 lbs. at a time...OK, good plan, how do I stick to it...post it on my blog and ask for help!...Also, put each $10 bill in a see through pocket on a chart in my kitchen so I can see the spa day materialize, go ahead and reserve a spa treatment for my birthday, but not go if I don't meet my goal...research and make daily menus that work for me...walk the dog!...start to stretch & strengthen...
So..."Nat Gets Fit" Plan:

• Phase I Goal - Lose 15 lbs. by July 26, 2008
• Walk the dog 20-30 min. twice a day at least 5 days/wk.
• Eat nutritious meals at home (allowed to eat out 2x/wk - to all of you fitness buffs that's really good for me)
• Stretch & Strengthen 3x/wk

As I said before - I need help! I've set up a special email just for this - natgetsfit@yahoo.com So, send me anything you can about getting fit, eating healthily, cheap fitness places/workouts. Also, send me encouragement and positive vibes! I need to do this for my health and self-esteem, and now is the perfect time to start.

I'll keep you posted! (And I'll post other beach photos, etc. later.)