My thoughts on goals

Earlier this fall, I created two goals.

1) Eat for less than 10 dollars a day. 

2) Run in the Drumstick Dash 10 K on Thanksgiving Day. 

In one I was successful, and in one I was not. 

If you have been following along on the 10 dollar day tab - you probably already know the answer to this, but I'll answer the question anyway. 

I forfeited on the Drumstick Dash 10K. 

so yes, I kicked myself a few times.  ... but I think the more important question here is "Why?"

The reality is - Goal #2 was completely out of sync with my life right now.  For some reason I thought I could still train the same way I did for the 10 miler, even though it was going to be freezing outside - I was still working 50 hours a week and I didn't have any real plans to get a gym membership.  I maybe got out once a week - twice a week tops!   I waited until the day of the race to decide, which was the coldest thanksgiving we have had in 25 years!!!  I realized that a cold day to be skiing was probably a day that I didn't want to be running.  Or at least that ended up being a great excuse - because honestly I didn't want to go at all, even if it had been nicer out.  (I think I would have though - or at least I get to say that). 

Goal #1 on the other hand completely fits my life right now.  I found an easy way to manage it (online spreadsheet - easy to access), and in general it's incredibly achievable.  I've barely had to modify my life at all. 

Essentially, both goals were poorly conceived.  Goal #1 has been altogether way too easy.  I haven't had to stretch at all, in many instances it has encouraged me to eat fast food (so much money available! ahh!) instead of putting a "nix" on it.  While on the plus side, it has helped me to keep a record of what I'm spending (in not just the food department) - I think this goal was overly easy.  Goal #2 while seemingly easy at first - became "nearly impossible".  I think both of these goals could have benefited from a slight modification.  Maybe eating for $8 or $7 a day could have been enough to put the pressure on to avoid fast food.  As far as the race - there were options that were shorter (5K or 8K) and warmer (later in the day).  This would have been a whole lot less pressure and probably more fun orientated; while still managing to keep me in shape. 

The point of this post is that while achieving goals is important; making good goals in the first place is a critical step in the process. 

A Confession

First some housekeeping - I decided to link the spreadsheet where I am keeping track of my food budget with the site.  It's on the tab that say "10 dollars per day." This way I don't have to report uninteresting posts that tally where I spent what.  You can just follow along whenever you please.  Of course, when something interesting happens I will blog about it.

Anyway, with that, I must share something else.  Since I do talk about eating healthy once in a while and similar positve life choices from time to time, I feel it's important that I get this off my chest.

It's a confession.

I LOVE FAST FOOD.

... and I know it's filled with drugs, dipped in cyanide and causes most forms of cancer.  I know that chicken nuggets used to be a large pink glob of chicken guts which was then dipped in ammonia, and I know the health value is between zero and none.    

I know.

So don't try to fight me on this, because I already know and I am guessing it won't help.  I already decided I'm okay with it.

I'm not here to defend it, but I am okay with it because it because:

I usually bypass dessert,

I don't buy candy or other junk food,

I try to choose "healthier" options. 

I don't over eat - as in I rarely order the "meal deal". 
and when I'm at home - I mostly avoid overly-processed foods.

__________

We all choose different ways to be healthy or "not healthy" as the case may be.  I have an easy time giving up cake and brownies, but when it comes to Chicken Burritos for $0.89.... I am powerless.

There is a lot I am not saying here - talk about industry practices, poor messages to children, and highly questionable meat sources... and I know I am not doing any of this justice (but perhaps I will speak to that in the future).  

The point I am making here is balance.  The media has turned fast food giants into veritable monsters against humanity (and while some of this is deserved) a lot of it is just looking for blame.  The nutrition facts have been out for a long time, no one forced anyone to eat anything.  Yes - they made it cheap and availible, but is that so wrong.  It was always and still is cheaper to cook at home, albeit more time consuming. 

Check-in 1

So I guess I made a commitment yesterday and I better keep it up. 

Today I credited my self another $10.00

I spent $3.50 of it on Propel and Chips - due to poor memory about needing a lunch today and lack of time to get one.  Anyway, I guess I am still getting use to this. 

Current Balance: $10.17