New Year, New Wendy!

Well, sorta.  Just an improved Wendy actually.

On New Years Eve, we were talking about resolutions.  My friend has a great idea - he doesn't do resolutions.  He does challenges.  The great difference between a resolution and a challenge is that a challenge can be measured, whereas a resolution is just a good faith effort.

Therefore, here are my challenges: 

Run a 10K -  I've never been a runner.  Heck, I have always dreaded working out!  However, the past few years gravity and the knowledge of the various health issues that run in my family have caught up to me, and I've discovered the love of being healthy.  I ran my first 5K a few years ago back in LA (the finish line was the 50 yard line of the Coliseum, and my dad and I had an amazing time pretending we were great Trojan football players of yesteryear afterward). Since then, I've done a couple 5Ks, but with my wedding coming up in June, I want to be in tip top shape for it (and the honeymoon afterward).  Therefore, f-hubs and I signed up for the Bupa 10K on May 27, which is just two weeks before the wedding.  The training alone will ensure that I get to the treadmill at least a few times a week, and will help me get in great shape!
 

"Together Wendy we'll live with the sadness...
I'll love you with all the madness in my soul...
Someday girl I don't know when were gonna get to that place
Where we really want to go and we'll walk in the sun...
But till then tramps like us baby we were born to run"

-The Boxx

Never leave the house looking like a shlub - I recently read Lessons from Madame Chic, and loved it!  It is a cute book written by a girl from SoCal who lived in Paris for a semester during university.  One of her major lessons was about fashion and how the French will not leave the house (or even go to the living room) without wearing the right clothes.  Living in London has taught me a lot about fashion - I don't think I could ever run errands wearing sweatpants again!  You really do only get one chance to make a first impression, so I am challenging myself to never leave the house without wearing a nice outfit (even if it is jeans, a top, and ballet flats) and at least the minimal makeup (foundation, bronzer, eyeliner, and lip gloss).  You never know if you'll run into your boss (or worse - f-hub's boss) at the grocery store, or if I accidentally get in the background shot of the paparazzi taking photos of Pippa at Le Pain! 

 Ok, I don't need THAT much... but at least some eyeliner would do Katy Perry good.

(for more, go here)

You are what you eat - So I want to be lean protein with veggies.  Not really, but I'm learning that my stomach can no longer take 5 alcoholic beverages, a burger, chilli cheese fries, and a brownie afterward.  I am therefore challenging myself to eat healthy Monday through Friday, and allow myself to cheat a bit on the weekends.  I'm a huge fan of the Tone It Up! diet plan, and highly recommend it for all the girls who want to get healthier.  Plus the emails, check in, and tips have really helped me get leaner and feel great. 

 Whole Foods? More like Whole Paycheck... but its fresh, lean, and organic!

Blog more often! - I love having this outlet to record my thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Plus it helps develop and maintain my writing skills, and gives me an excuse to go to various events, eat at great places ("Honey, I need to do a blog post on this..."), and explore London more!  I should have 2-3 entries a week, no matter the length.  No excuses!

Now that I've posted these in cyber space, I have plenty of people who will be ensuring that I keep up with them.  Gulp!  Happy 2012, it'll be a great year (I'm biased, this is the year I'm marrying the love of my life)!