So it's been a while since I have written a journal entry on here. I have been very busy with work and home life. I have slacked off on lifting weights for a couple of weeks now and need to get back at it. There is a new program just starting in my workplace, through our benefits provider (Cigna) that is encouraging people to engage in "healthy" activities and eating etc. After reading through the parameters of the program, the points system and such, I am less-than-impressed with the program itself, but will choose to use it as a way to stay motivated through the next 6 weeks. My main point of contention with this "health and wellness" program, is it is NOT goal oriented nor is it RESULTS oriented. It's completely subjective and open-ended. It calls for a maximum of 4 points to accumulate each day for various activities: eating 5 servings of fruits/vegetables each day, getting 7 hrs of sleep, 15 mins of exercise, 10 mins of relaxation. The problem with this, is there is a tally sheet for you to mark whether you accomplished that activity for the day, but without having any end results (cause/effect) it is just as easy for someone to mark that they did everything, turn it in and get all the points. There is NO accountability built in to the program at all...and the best part: all the employees here KNOW it! So, even though it sounds pessimistic, this "health and wellness" program is not doing ANYTHING to change anyone's health and well-being. Ok, I am done venting. I will still participate in this program, as I will be the one holding myself accountable. I don't need anyone to do it for me. I am well-aware that if I cheat, I am not cheating the system, but myself.
On a side note: I would like to learn to LOVE running. Right now I really and truly hate it. I am pretty certain the reason behind my hatred revolves around my weight. I have been overweight my entire adult life. It is very difficult to get that much weight moving enough to consider it running LOL. Now that I have lost nearly 40 pounds, I feel I can begin again. Starting tomorrow, I will begin an interval training program for the treadmill. I will set it up like HIIT (high-intensity interval training). Walking 1 minute, running 10 secs, walking 2 mins running 15 secs, walking 1 minute, running 10 secs, etc. I have decided that by this time next year I would like to have participated (and completed) both a 3k and 5k race. Since being on keto, I have seen several documentaries now on the implications and applications for keto in endurance sports. I am astounded to see endurance athletes who follow a keto lifestyle that are able to do such long distance running competitions as 100 miles, and completing it in 14-16 hours (and not look or feel like death on a stick at the end of it!). I am not striving to be one of the 100 milers, but I would definitely hold it as a benchmark for my motivation and determination. Thanks to anyone who took the time to read (and/or) respond to this long-winded and rambling monologue. I hope the week is going well for everyone! Cheers!
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