Oh wow, I can't believe I let this go for nearly 6 weeks!!  I guess like exercise and living frugally, blogging is something to practice at as well!  Let's see if I can start doing this a LITTLE more frequently!

Despite my lack of posts I have just finished out a strong February financially and physically.

I went to the gym 2-4 times every week.  I haven't been using the treadmill as much, the amount of time I've spent running has gone down this month.  I've been regularly attending the Monday night Body Works class and the Wednesday night Step class.  I can already see progress in my arms in terms of muscle - it's great!  The other nights I've spent 30 minutes on the glider machine.  I'm going to be signing up for a 4 mile St. Paddy's Day run so I do need to get in some time running too over the next two weeks.  Hope I can do it!  The only downside is that I haven't noticed my weight go down at all.  I usually weigh myself once a week and I've been holding steady at about 165.5 pounds.  I know numbers aren't everything but I have this perhaps unrealistic expectation that I'd be able to get down to 150 fairly easily.  I know I need to focus more on the shape of my body and how it's changing (gaining muscle, losing fat) but it's difficult.  I'll get there though.

Did I mention that this quest to a happier me also includes a money make over?  I guess you could say it's a New Year's resolution but it is also something that has been in the back of my mind for a long long time.  I have stayed on track in terms of balancing my checkbook weekly (using Quicken).  I was successful in that as of today (payday) I still have a positive balance in my checking account.  Granted . . . I only have $4 in there but still!!  Last month I paid $70 in over draft fees.  Gah!  However, this month I spent about $35 on my credit card so I wasn't perfect at spending less than I earn.  My goal to save a min. of $100 a month did not happen this month (basically, that went toward paying the overdraft fees!).

For March I have a few financial goals.

-I will not buy any yarn or craft supplies (last month spent about $100 on this). 

-I will eat out during lunch no more than two times - bring my lunch to work the rest of the time. 

- I will shop around and purchase cheaper car insurance (currently spending $115/mo - be I can get that down to less than $100) - my insurance needs to be renewed this month so it's good timing.

For March my exercise goals:

- Run 30 miles

- Continue attending two classes at the gym per week - my choice

- Try cooking a new healthy vegetarian meal every Sunday.

It's the start of the new year and I have big plans for 2008.  First of all, I'll be turning 28 in less than a week ().  Second, I'm starting to train for a 1/2 marathon this August. Third, I just started a new job in December and I have plans to go back to school.  Fourth, I have a goal to become more financially savvy . . . so I want a place to record my thoughts and feelings as well as track my progress on accomplishing my goals. 

So here's a little about me and where I am in my life right now:

As I mentioned, I just started a new job last month so that has really shaped my reality lately.  It involved relocating about 100 miles (I'm still in the process of moving).  I made the change for a few reasons (career advancement, better benefits, etc.) but mostly to be closer to my boyfriend, Ron.  Ron and I have been dating just over a year and we also dated for about 2 1/2 years back in 1998-2001!  He was always the guy that I felt I let "get away".  In fact, after Ron I was in a nearly five year relationship with another man and left him to go back to Ron (there were other reasons too). 

This past year with Ron has been phenomenal.  We are not without our problems (some of which are pretty personal but I'm sure I will go into details in later entries) but what couple isn't.  The good times FAR outweight the bad and he is an excellent friend and has been a huge motivator for me to get in better shape, take better care of myself, etc. 

Last year I started running and completed two 5Ks and one 10K.  As I already mentioned, I want to complete a 1/2 marathon this year.  I really do enjoy running once I get into it . . . but at times it is all I can do to force myself out the door.  I bought a Nike+ system for my Ipod (and I got one for R too) and have challenged myself to run 150 miles before March 31st.  I'm following this training program:  http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/novice.htm

Other things about me: I love to read, I have an addiction to reality t.v., I knit, and I love my cat, Luna, who I just adopted about five months ago. 

So, here is a recap on my workouts:

Yesterday I went to a Step Circuit Class which I LOVED - this counted as Wednesday's "Cross Training".  Tonight I will run 3 miles on the treadmill.

Financially, I'm really trying to resist purchasing a new phone until I finish doing research.  On the brightside, I got an email from the payroll department letting me  know there was an error in my last paycheck and I can "pick up the balance tomorrow".  Wonder what the mistake was?  Since I'm new, I wasn't sure how much to expect in my paycheck and I have to admit I didn't really sit down and calculate everything since it "seemed right".  Hmm.

Anyway, hopefully this won't be the most boring blog around.  I'll be posting photos from time to time and links to other sites that I like so we shall see how this goes!!