SarCare is the name I came up with yesterday for my intentional self-improvement. I’ve finally moved towards a full-on renovation by 3 recent events/factors:
1. My constant desire to run and/or create and not having time to do either
2. A Friday night, a couple of weekends ago when I (while on a date) was so short of sleep I began crying because I just couldn’t listen or do anything until I was laying in bed. I was 3 feet from a bed at the time.
3. Body image. My body doesn’t feel good and I’ve been knowingly not taking care of it for too long. It’s beginning to show physically and I don’t want that to continue.
I have a lot of areas I want to improve in my life, but SarCare involves a few specific ones to start off with:
1. The Sleep Initiative. Sleep 7-8 hours a night. Yes, I’ve survived and even thrived on less, but since I can’t seem to find a middle ground, 7-8 is the new goal during the workweek. 6 will happen, but can’t be the normal as it allows too easily for a 4 hour night.
2. Operation Vegetable. Increase my vegetable intake. I do okay with fruits, but they’re higher in sugar than vegetables and there’s no reason to keep ignoring it… grown-ups need vegetables. For the first two weeks of SarCare Operation Vegetable also includes a 2-week* removal of the following: coffee, chocolate, ice cream & candy. Alcohol will be limited to one day/week. That’s not really a change for the alcohol, but just a reminder 1x/week.
*exception made for dates if the gentleman offers. I’m determined to not be ‘that girl
< 3. The Friends & Family Plan. A continued effort to reach out to friends and family. Exact details of this plan are still in the works. One major adventure will be a Memorial Day weekend trip home to see my Grandparents, Parents & Ohio friends.
4. Long-term Sustainability. Progress on my to-do list to reach the next step professionally. I’ll keep most actionable tasks (except for books I read) quiet as I don’t like to build up anyone else’s expectations for my career. That said the fields include lighting design & arts programming. If you have access to continued opportunities, let me know!
5. Not Just Any Body. I will give myself time to run and lift. I’ve come up with a couple simple exercises I do each night before bed. They’re complete in less than 2 songs, but keep my physical state alive because sitting in an office chair tires you in the lamest of ways. They’ll be the new base.
Today is Day 2 without chocolate, ice cream, candy or coffee. I realize that might not sound like much to most of you, but I normally consume at least one of those every day. Yeah, a little much, but New York seems to have every flavor of chocolate and when you stumble upon lavender dark chocolate, it can be tough to resist. But, resist I will! Wish me luck.
I was supposed to run today, but took an extra shift at work instead. I’m going to be gone for 5 days so I think financially it was a necessary choice. It’ll either be a night run or a really great, much needed workout on Saturday.
Listening to: “Finally Moving” – Pretty Lights
2 comments:
hooray! You're back!
I am so in love with SarCare. You need your own care bear. What would it have on it's tummy? I wish my name were cooler/simpler.
But aside from the awesome name, it's an awesome idea. I did something similar this year and it has been revolutionary- not in the way that anyone else would notice, but it's a huge change in my mood, attitude, and physical well-being. Good luck!
Thanks Heather!!
I do need my own bear! SarBear is really the only Sara nickname. This used to make me really sad because I wanted more nicknames, haha. I've been thinking about the tummy since you said it. Could it be two bears hugging each other? I think that's what this is about. I want to be better for myself so I can be better to other people.
It's funny, I think the only change anyone's noticed is I now sometimes turn down chocolate. Otherwise it's just for me. It's been amazing to look back on the last couple of weeks and to already see progress. I tried to give up sugar when you did, but it was so hard! I have no idea how you did it! I've been counting calories for the first time in my life (I used Weight Watchers for my last health-overhaul) and that's naturally led to less sugars, but giving them up consciously. I was, and am still, impressed!
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