March/April Status Update

Thanks to a trial that took over my life from March 1-22, and then a post-trial brief that lasted until last week, I decided to combine my March and April updates into one.

1) Exercise Intentionally: run a 5K

Fail.  I tried to work out one evening during the first week of trial and nearly fainted because I was so tired and had barely had time to eat all day.  In April I really tried to get back to the gym, but did not do a good job finding time.

2) Eat Intentionally:  record what I eat

Fail.  I didn't have time to record what I ate, let alone KNOW what I was eating since virtually every meal from March 1-21 was eaten out.  On the ironic side, I lost 5 pounds in the three weeks I was in trial, partly because of stress and not having enough time to eat.  Not a recommended way to lose weight, though.

In April, I didn't fare much better.  We did cook a lot, but I was out of the habit of recording what I ate and never really got back into it.

3) Buy Intentionally:  spend less than $60/month on myself.   

Fail.  I'm not even going to try add up what I bought these past two months, but for learning/shaming purposes, I will group by needs and wants.

Needed: 

• Navy heels from DSW - $25
• 3 cardigans (white, navy, green) from Talbots - I think they were $30 each

These four were wardrobe staples that I needed for work.

Lacking in discipline:

• Nordstrom Rack color-block dress - $50 (I should have returned this)
• Necklace - $22
• Banana Republic Coral Dress - $80 (I've gotten double use out of it (work and casual), so it turned out to be an ok purchase).
• Nordstrom Rack pleated dress (work) - $40
• Wedge Sandals - $80
• Banana Republic white jeans - $50

Birthday gifts (to myself):

• Wallet - $60
• Makeup - birthday gift from my mom

4) Learn Intentionally:  read 6 non-fiction books in 2013.

On my drives to Cleveland and back, I continued listening to The Power of Habit.  I ended up switching to the audiobook for Team of Rivals on my way home, so I am still not finished with The Power of Habit.  Not that I didn't like it - I am really enjoying both - I'm just a bit schizophrenic with books.

Finished Infidel - fascinating!  I'm really sad noone had finished this by the time we met for book club, because now I really want to discuss it with someone!

5) Give Intentionally: begin volunteering.

Fail.