here we go again!

when i first started posting here, i had just started a 30 day yoga challenge. at first, i thought to keep the blog to document my progress and essentially check the box for my practice each day. however, as the month went on, i found i looked forward to writing about my experience as well as practicing.

today, as i start my lifestyle change, i'd like to share my shift in a similar way. as i mentioned last week, i've been having a tough time motivating myself to make these choices. after a lovely long weekend with my very, very good friend, we settled on my external motivator.

if i can meet my goals, my reward is a yoga retreat. it's not something i would normally just do or buy and it will be a totally new experience. i've been thinking about it for quite awhile, but never pulled the trigger. so, here we go!

i threw away my left over cigarettes this morning and i did walking club with my co-workers this afternoon to break-up the day a little bit. i feel a little sad and a little excited. the plan is simple: no smoking, practice 3-4 times a week and 7 drinks per week. if i can do that, i can go to the retreat.

it sounds simple on paper, but breaking a habit (or starting a habit, for that matter) is hard. for me, it takes focus and discipline and obviously a really big treat at the end of it.

wish me luck!

building up to a lifestyle change

for the past couple of weeks, i've been mulling over shifting my lifestyle in a fairly big way. to be frank, i'm smoking, i drink wine (often) and since my vacation earlier this month, my yoga practice has slipped to nearly non-existent. not so good.

i need a motivator. my husband asked me if my health and his happiness would be enough, but i just don't think it is. the last times i quit smoking and stopped drinking i was either pregnant or in the hospital. neither of which i plan to experience again in the near future.

i'm trying to figure out something i want that i wouldn't normally get for myself- a girlfriend suggested an awesome handbag or a new pair of shoes, but those don't seem quite far enough out of reach. i'm leaning toward a yoga retreat in november.

now, all i have to do is set my goals, stick to them and earn my reward.

other suggestions for external motivators?