July Bootcamp 2012: Making an Olympic effort in the area I need to improve the most

Since Friday I have felt a weird haze over me. It’s clouding my perceptions and judgement, making me move incredibly slowly, and sucking almost all my energy. I have been trying to squeegee this sludge off my consciousness, but it’s been really hard. It’s been affecting my boot camp goals most of all. So today my boot camp is simple.

• drink lots of water
• eat healthy
• stretch
• go to bed early

That’s it. Maybe I can actually get this done for a change.

So yesterday I was very distracted by the Olympic opening ceremonies and I didn’t do too much on my Boot Camp. So let’s consider today a do-over, and maybe I can be inspired by the spirit of the Olympics instead of being distracted by them.

• stretch
• weigh-in
• summarize and consolidate my retreat notes
• 30 minutes of exercise
• read for 30 minutes
• 999 Challenge blog

First official day post-retreat, and there are definitely things I absolutely need to do:

• stretch
• mindfulness session
• summarize and consolidate my retreat notes
• 30 minutes of exercise
• read for 30 minutes (aside from the time in the dentist chair)
• movie blog
• 999 Challenge blog

A few things that are must-do today. Others that are wishful. Let’s do it.

• stretch
• mindfulness training
• harmonica
• more brainstorming
• walk for at least 30 minutes in a row Holy CRAP was that a motivational chore.
• consolidate notes
• make new recipe for dinner: Nope!
• watch Inland Empire OR CrimeWave
• read Full Catastrophe Living
• write at least one movie entry

Considering this is the last day I can check into 43T before the retreat, I should probably make a boot camp entry!

• stretch
• read from my meditation books
• watch Inland Empire
• watch House
• play the harmonica
• write and queue blog posts
• watch 30 Rock

I know, it’s a tough life. But real bootcamp stuff will start tomorrow. When I can’t tell you about it…

One step forward yesterday, another today. That’s how progress is made! Or a centipede. Anyhow. Here goes:

• another 35 minutes on the exercise bike: I got so distracted by Katamari Forever that I went 40 minutes. Uh-oh.
• stretching
• Eat my 4 servings of vegetables Maybe 3.5 but I’m taking it.
• Read 2 chapters in my meditation book
• Write two 999 challenge reviews (I haven’t done one a day but I think if I do 31 in July then that might count…)

Oh you guys. It’s been so hot here. So damn hot. It’s been sucking my will to live. It’s been so hot that I’ve actually had to wear shorts. IN PUBLIC. That’s not a thing that I do.

Generally I’ve been lying down on the couch drinking water (and/or freezing cold beer) with two fans pointed at me and watching movies or, occasionally, reading. Today, though, the heat broke. (Thanks to the smoke wafting in from a forest fire, but let’s try to focus on the positive.) And so I’ve decided to hop on here and make my bootcamp goals because if I don’t write ‘em down, I’m not gonna do ‘em. Here’s the deal.

• 35 minutes on the exercise bike, not hard, just on it.
• Stretching: Done. The one thing I’ve been sticking to.
• Eat my 4 servings of vegetables.
• Read 2 chapters in my meditation book.

That’s it. That’s all I have to do today. Let’s…make it happen?

So clearly the area I need to improve in most is the physical stuff. In July, focusing on the monthly theme, I’m going to focus on that and the meditation stuff.

Health & Fitness
1. Get to C25K Week 6 (that’s four weeks to get through three weeks; I’m sure I can do that).
2. Complete the stretching routine.
3. After that, KEEP stretching.
4. 15 minutes of weight training, twice per week.
5. Exercise bike for 30 minutes, 2 times per week.
6. Eat 4 servings of vegetables per day (and at least 1 smoothie per day while I’m home).
* smoothies are easy to make and always cold, and it’s REALLY hot out.
7. Call my doctor about the Total Life Change.

Mental Fitness
1. Read Full Catastrophe Living.
2. Attend meditation class on Friday.
3. Set aside 15 minutes for meditation every day before lunch.
4. Go on my retreat.

Finances
1. Write down all expenses in my finance book.

Career
1. Finish When The Body Says No
2. Finish re-reading my motor speech textbook.
3. Organize the loose files.

Creativity
1. Write one 999 Challenge entry per day.
2. Publish 2 podcasts in June