May 8, 2000 --11:02 PM EST

Starting Point as of April 2000:

• can jog 0.25-0.5 miles @ 5 MPH before needing to stop for a walk break
• can bike easy-moderate trails, but not hard ones
• Fit Test scores? (haven't taken it yet)

Ultimate Goal:

• To make healthy living a permanent lifestyle change I can continue forever
• Get to target weight for my 5'8" frame
• To set the stage for a healthy pregnancy
• To help Paul set the stage for his role through a healthy pregnancy
• To be a better mountain biker
• To complete my first walkathon

Fine-Tuned Goals

In order to make living healthier easier, I need to build a larger recipe base, and help Paul learn to cook more things on his own. I also need to think about how to make cooking simpler -- possibly buy a freezer for the garage so I can cook ahead and freeze meals. I need to explore my eating out options and memorize menus and restaurants where vegan eating is possible. I need to be firmer with my friends and realtives about NOT eating l/o because it's "easier" for them to deal with if I feel it's compromising my vegan ethics. Continue ti update my food journal and work with the dietitian.

In order to be in best shape for pregnancy, I need to get to target weight, and make sure I am meeting my nutritional needs. Paul needs to quit smoking and meet his nutritional needs. We are both seeing a dietitian to help us with our separate goals. (I'm losing weight, he's trying to put on weight.)

In order to get fitter, we're both biking and I'm training for a walkathon to help alleviate exercise boredom. I get bored at the gym if it starts to feel too mouse-wheely or monotonous. After the walkatahon is over, I will look for a new event to train for, since having an event as a goal is making the gym time less odious for me. I'd like to encouragge Paul to at least weight train 2x a week with me to help him along with his weight gain. If he does not like the gym thing, I'll consider buying more free weights for him to use at home.

I'm reading and printing things about pregnancy in general and trying to get an idea of the cost of having a kid. I need to check with our insurance, see about getting a new car and other things before we get to baby stage. I need to see my gym for a check-up and listen to what their preconceptual advice is.

In order to be a better biker, I need to practice carrying my bike for long lengths of time in the event we start biking through rougher terrain and I need to carry the bike across bad spots. I need to improve my upper body strength with weight training to help me with this. I also need to ride trails more regularly to practice maneuvering around roots, rocks, and other obstacles. I need to read more about biking and practice any drills that will help me feel more in control when I ride and learn techniques.

I'm currently on a walkathon training schedule 4x a week, and will start a new schedule in August so I will be prepared for race day. I'm doing a 5k this weekend and will look for other smalelr races so I get used to teh race environment and don't feel so overwhelmed at the marathon.

Stepping Stone Goals/Back Up Goals

Daily -- try to make at least one hour of time purely for myself to spend writing or reading and relaxing. I need to have a peaceful mind in order to accoplish everything else I want to do.

Marathon training. Improving my speed by 0.1 a week until I am walking 4.5 MPH. I want to do the marathon at 4.0 MPH so I want to train harder than I need to for the race. I'd also like run-walk on the days that I'm scheduled for interval training rather than hills.

Work on flexibility -- an area I often neglect. Do a more regular yoga practice. See if Paul would like to do it with me.

Work on fundraising if I get injured or sick so I am still doing something related to my "body project." If I am well enough for light exercise, yoga or swimming.

Ending Point:

January 7, 2001. This is race day. I will create a new plan at this time and see where we are on this baby thing.

~Astrophe