Week 2: Motivation

My motivation for establishing this goal is mainly due to the fact that I feel really unhealthy! It seems like I know a lot of people who love to watch what they eat and make sure they exercise. I feel like the complete opposite, and sometimes it makes me feel guilty... just sometimes. I think there has to be a balance between enjoying the (maybe unhealthy) things you like and respecting your body. I don't hate eating healthy or exercising, but they just haven't been on the top of my list lately.

I know that staying active, exercising, and eating healthy is important for me! Especially since both sides of my family have a history of health issues (stroke, cancer, etc). I would love to have more personal experience of incorporating healthy foods and fun physical activity into my lifestyle. I think that once I have made these things "my own," I can later try to influence my family and friends to eat healthier and stay active. I care about them, too and want them to live long, healthy lives!

Lastly, as an occupational therapist I feel that I should practice what I preach! I feel like we are constantly telling our clients and patients to be healthy... but are we really being healthy ourselves? I can't answer this question for everyone, but I know the answer for myself... and I don't really consider myself a "healthy person." So in order to be a better occupational therapist for my clients, I need this personal experience and change!

My clinical doctorate of occupational therapy project also focuses on how children who have/survived pediatric cancer can stay healthy and active. So I am looking forward to trying new and fun physical activities and yummy healthy foods that I could later use in my project and share with these kids! :) If you have any ideas of things to try, let me know!

update

As of today, I have not gotten my butt off the couch and into the gym! I am still trying to get over this cold I have, and to be honest this weather and the sight of my cats lounging around makes me lazy. For now, I'll just look at the gym from my balcony and contemplate about the day I'll finally make it there...

Week 1: My Goal

My personal project will focus on staying active. My goal is to engage in moderate exercise 4 times a week for 60 minutes each day. This moderate exercise will mostly take place in my apartment building's gym, which is one floor below me. Evenings are the best time for me to work out since I am not an early riser and am busy during the day. Days that look best for working out right now are: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. I will use this blog to track my journey to reach this goal and maintain it. I will post information about changes such as increasing weights or time on the elliptical machine to see how I progress.

In this blog, I will also discuss other physical activities I participate in for fun as well as healthy foods that I enjoy. I believe that this information will show how being healthy and staying active can become a part of my lifestyle, not just an outside goal, a project for class, or something that is confined to the gym.