Wake Up for 2010!

I shared in my regular newsletter this month the concept of waking up! When we get too comfortable we run the risk of becoming complacent.

I decided this was the year that I was going to wake up. It is different than goal setting - it is far more purposeful. I also believe strongly in accountability, so by listing my wake up plans here for you all to see, I am holding myself accountable.

I encourage you to do the same. Post your wake up strategies below, and be sure to come back later to hold yourself accountable.

Rhonda's Wake Up Strategy:

- I need to eat more strategically. A few years ago I lost the extra bit of weight that I had been carrying for far too long, and I didn't do it through diet. I did it through a permanent eating change. I don't diet - I make life long changes. Even though I have been sticking fairly firmly to this eating plan, my age is causing my weight to creep up again (and perhaps I've been more lax in my eating patterns because I wasn't awake). So, I need to not be casual about sticking to this plan. I need to wake up and be more conscious about everything that goes in my mouth. This means to me 1) Dessert once per week only 2) Drink 8-10 glasses of water each day 3) Limit the simple carbs (such as bread) 4) LOTS of fruits and vegetables every day. I'm a month into my wake up eating plan, and doing very well (and have Warren and Caroline right on board with me!)

- I need to wake up with exercise. OK, I have a love hate relationship with exercise. I love the sound of it, but I hate doing it. I got a treadmill for Christmas (at my request I might add), and while that added a lot of humour to the story telling about my Christmas presents, I have made a point of using it this year. I have become an exercise machine, with running my favourite activity (I KNOW! This sounds bizarre even to me!). I've been regularly running 5km, and have been running 6 days a week. When I'm traveling, I've made room for my gym stuff, and have made the commitment to be consistent. While my wake up strategy is not 6 days a week when I'm on the road, I will run 5km at least 3 times each week, with as many days as possible working with weights, yoga and general exercise. This has been my major wake up strategy.

- I am going to date my husband at least one night per month. We went and saw Avatar (his choice) with a nice dinner this month. It was fun, and although we've been married only two years, it has become easy to get stuck in the marriage rut. I don't want to get stuck on marriage autopilot, so the two of us have agreed to put this as a priority.

- I am going shopping in a couple of weeks to update my casual wardrobe. My work clothes are awesome - I love them, but I tend to live in sweatshirts and jeans or yoga pants while at home. I need to step up my home look a bit. Warren is doing the same thing, so we are going shopping together (date!) to spiff up our casual look (and besides, my exercise crazy body needs to be shown off too!).

- My skin is starting to look 44 (my age), so I have been better about washing it, moisturizing it, and taking care of it everyday (even when I'm tired).

So far, this is what I have committed to doing. What are you doing to wake up?

BTW - it feels GREAT to write this stuff down, read it, and commit it to my life.