6 Month Check-In

Well, it's been approximately 6 months since I started this blog and I had some MAJOR goals for the year. I thought it would be appropriate to take time now, 6 months later, to see where I stand in relationship to these goals.

Healthier Eating

Overall, it's been better. There were a few weeks here and there (February, April) were I definitely didn't follow through with what I should be doing, but overall I've gotten into a rhythm and I think it's working. I generally weigh in on Saturdays, then use the rest of the day as my splurge day. No points counting and just enjoying meals that I shouldn't eat on WW. LOL! As the months have passed, I have noticed on splurge night that I can't eat as much as I used to. If we have an appetizer, I generally cannot finish my dinner. Brian gets some tasty lunches the following week based on my left over Saturday night meals. :-) So, I think my body is getting used to smaller portions with less fat in them. It looks like I may be coming to the point where I have to decide on appetizers OR dessert. Ack! But, that's a good thing.

Exercising

That has increased as the year went on. I started out in January running one mile on Saturday mornings and doing my little exercise bike and Wii Fit during the week...when I wasn't in class. When classes ended, I started adding week night running into the mix, so I was going 2-3 nights a week. The exercise routine got another boost when I obtained Wii Active. That's a workout! LOL! It's helped define my shoulders and arms. I am doing more exercise in general than usual, which is a positive thing.

And of course, there was the first 5k on Sunday, June 28th. Something I NEVER would have thought I could do. And honestly, it wasn't as hard as I thought and I was a little faster overall than I thought. It was a great experience and a great way to show my progress over the last 6 months.

Finishing my education

Well, I am on my way! I finished the spring semester out and only have my thesis to go. That seems so strange. It's been a long year and a half, but I'm almost done. I've been doing some research lately for my thesis and my Advanced Research Methods class helped get me on the right track with things, especially the Introduction. Phew! I will spend the summer researching, maybe even starting to write and then work my butt off this fall to finish my thesis and graduate in December 2009. Yea!

Finding a new job

That has not gone as planned. I did not find a position in the first six months of 2009 and I have lost the position I had at the beginning. Apparently I was not as good a fit as one of the other candidates for the position. Lovely for me, huh? So, now it comes down to determining what to do. I have filed for unemployment and have contacted the city about being a substitute teacher in the fall. This should hopefully help my personal income while allowing me to finish my thesis. I will be using my vacation pay to pay for the fall semester, so that's something at least. In December, I'll have an MA, which hopefully will open some additional employment doors for me. And maybe by the end of the year, I will be again gainfully employed. And maybe this time, doing something I really enjoy!

So, there you have it, a recap of the first 6 months of 2009 based on my goals for the year. It has been overall a good year, though stressful. Hopefully that will change as 2009 goes along.

I'll keep posting and hopefully by the end of the year:

* I will have lost 50 pounds total
* Run at least one more 5k, maybe even an 8k
* Will have my MA in American Studies
* Find a job that I love!