What My Kids Are Listening To: Fun. "We Are Young" with Janelle Monae

I think this song (if not the video) is awesome, too:



The acoustic version, which I like more:

Resolution Update

Wow!  It's been way too long since I last posted.  I've really dropped the ball in keeping up with my weekly Resolution Update postings.  That fits a pattern with me, as my B-2/3 will tell you.  I get all enthusiastic about a project and can maintain the enthusiasm for about 3 months or so, and then I gradually slip away into lethargy or lose focus and interest.

That has happened here.

March was mostly a lost month for me.  I travelled a lot and got way off my regular routines.  My exercise and eating habits were also very scrambled.

You know, when you travel to conferences or overseas, you often find yourself eating out a lot or faced with conference banquet food and the need to be social over meals and drinks.  When you couple that with lack of access to regular exercise facilities, it makes for a real diet and exercise routine buster.

So, I got off my exercise regimen and ended up going stretches like 3 or 4 days without being able to get to a gym or a pool.  I did manage on occasion to find a suitable hotel rec room with some exercise equipment that I did use; but this was very irregular.  And I also did try to go on some longish walks when I could swing it.  And even though I ate more high-calorie, rich foods than I would normally eat, I also tried to stay away from the worst of the junk food or too many desserts.

And I also wasn't able to keep track of my weight like I had before, either.  And I just stopped altogether in having my picture taken regularly.  I need to get back into having my picture taken for some visual accountability.

Nevertheless, over the past week, I've managed to push myself back into a routine of sorts; and I am now doing much better in terms of a regular workout schedule and better eating habits again.

Since tomorrow is Easter, since I have the time today, and since I haven't posted an update in a while, I thought I'd provide an update today instead of tomorrow.

I was worried that I would be approaching the 180-185 lb. weight range after my 2-3 week dissipation; but I was surprised to find that my body is apparently still geared up to burning high amounts of calories from my previous rigorous 2 month regimen.  After my workout today, I weighed myself and I clicked in at 173.4 lbs.  So, I'm still well within the range of my goal and haven't slipped so much as to be disheartened by the lapse.

I try to look at this in a positive light and think that because I got really close to my goal before, but didn't quite hit it, if I can keep myself within range but not yet there, I will maintain the incentive to keep at it and not give up completely.  I think subconsciously that's what I'm doing to myself, because I know deep down that once I hit my goal, get it verified, and fulfill my resolution pledge -- thus freeing me from the painful penalties I would have faced -- the temptation to become too lax and let myself slip back into old habits would be very strong and irresistible.   So perhaps I subconsciously am keeping myself from hitting my goal just to keep myself going on the resolution pledge.

I'll try to be more regular in providing Resolution Updates on the blog.  Wish me luck and motivation!