Ok, here we go. This is the biggest thing that I’ve done so far in my life; other than getting married, having babies, work, etc. I’m doing something for me and challenging JUST ME. Who can say that? That there is something that you have done SOLELY for yourself? Challenged JUST YOU? Officially I’ve named this blog, but honestly, it’s the be the best version of ME that is the title.

This is the challenge. I vow to walk 2 miles EVERYDAY for 365 days. Doesn’t seem very difficult but let me explain my life a little; I won’t go too far back, but one must really set the stage for it to be understood what a large undertaking this will be for me.

I’m a soon to be 46-year-old woman who is married, has 2 adult children, works 40+ hours a week in corporate America. I work from home (thank you COVID) and until this past August, I had a part time job that got me out of the house an additional 25+ hours a week. I’m 5 foot 9 and my current weight is above average. I’m over 200lbs. That’s all that’s relevant. I encountered a tremendous loss this past year (will address later) and while my mental health is steady and constant, I can feel myself slipping occasionally. I do have a daily dependency on nicotine, and I don’t care for alcohol. I don’t use food as a way out or an escape, but man do I love food (who doesn’t).  I am an honest person and I’m faithful to a fault.  I can be funny at times…but I do know funnier 😊

Some would call me average and yes, I do think I’m average. I am nothing out of the ordinary and I am not a glamorous person when it comes to cars, clothes, or any amazing type of hobby. Putting this challenge out to the world is not meant to bring any type of limelight to me or my family. I’m doing it to keep myself honest and in check. Cause I’m not daft to believe that this isn’t going to be hard. There are only a few things that I can honestly say I’ve done daily for 365 days…and they do not include anything other than things that will allow me to “stay alive”.

That’s the background and the challenge, as stated, is simple. I will document my improvements ranging from weight, appetite, appearance, water consumption, any type of supplements, does my time improve, do I push it to “running”…. So, if anyone wants to know, I’ll provide. Heck, if no one reads this, that’s fine too; it will be my own online journal that I can print and give to my kids someday.

Today is Thursday, April 11^th. I will note that today will be the official start to the challenge, even though I did walk yesterday…2 miles and it took me 40 minutes..

This morning the alarm went off at 6:30 AM. This is going to be the hardest part for me in trying to find my rhythm on when and how and whatnot. When the alarm went off, I hit snooze. I wasn’t going to get up. I was going to sleep in until 7:15 or so and get up. But then my mind (and bladder) kicked in and I knew that work wise, today was going to be a grind. Not to be boring, but I have a huge project that is launching in a week from today and that pending release means lots of meetings around if it should go, does it work, blah blah. I knew that mentally, once the calls were done, I was going to want to sit down and “think” about what to make for dinner and watch an episode of Law & Order SVU (my current obsession).  

I got up. I had a cup of coffee and got my daughter up so she could go with me. This is the other KEY part for me, I AM A HORRIBLE SELF MOTIVATOR. By the end of this, maybe that won’t be the case, but for now, I am a baby and I want someone to go with me!

We were off on our 2-mile walk. We did it.  We took a different route than 4/10 and it went a little smoother. The time didn’t change, it was still 40 minutes, so 20 minutes a mile. That is ok for now, timewise.

Things I noticed:

• Mentally, I wasn’t exhausted during my calls. It wasn’t as much of a grind to stay focused
• I wasn’t sore during my walk or after. Nothing physically hurts. I wasn’t out of breath or have a wild or erratic heart rhythm
• I didn’t yawn every few minutes or get the midday slump of “I need a power nap”
• I drank the normal amount of water—2 of the water bottles that say to keep going…
• I’m taking Nutrafol for hair loss. I don’t know if it is perialmenopause (spelling) or genetics or what, but my sister gave me 3 packages (3 months) of these things, and I figured I should start using them. I took that dose. (I will keep track of that progress too)
• Took Rhodiola to lower cortisol levels (yeah, I’m a self-diagnoser and I think I have high cortisol level). I have a 60-pill supply on this for right now, so if this is key in the future, I think I’ll know
• Tomorrow I will get my starting weight cause with my self-discussion this morning, I did not get that weight
• I will also start tracking my daily food, cause why not track everything during this challenge
• I will also be watching my sleep; I can track that well due to my Sleep Number. My goal is to be in bed by 10 every night during the work week

That’s it for today, I guess. I feel that if I don’t hold myself accountable for posting at a certain time or by a certain time, that is ok, as long as I DO post. Going to sign off for now and figure out something for dinner. Most likely it will be pasta related and quick, not fat free, something from Aldi. The Masters is on so there will be lots of free time tonight to read a new book with the boys occupied. Ohhh, I should post on that book too cause I’m an AVID reader too! I will track my books on here because I read so many that I forget what each is about.