Hey guys, is your Tuesday morning off to a rainy, stormy start? Mine sure is. Chicago is experiencing some much-needed rain right now and unfortunately, I managed to get caught in it walking back from the gym this morning. It was pretty horrible and my umbrella was no match for the sideways rain. My workout clothes are now drying out in the shower 
.
Anyway, today I wanted to talk about something a little different, the importance of having a non-fitness related goal. Obviously, moving and sweating are key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle both in terms of staying at a healthy weight as well as preventing or treating chronic conditions (heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc., etc.). It’s also good to set goals for yourself whether it’s running a little bit farther every week or holding a plank for 10 seconds longer every two weeks; however, for the majority of us, our lives include a whole lot more than just working out and staying in shape.
Working out (specifically running) has always been an outlet for me. It’s a stress reliever, helps me clear my mind, and gives me space from roommates, family, and SO’s when I needed it. I’ve always been goal-oriented and often set running goals for myself including PR’s and PDR’s. Occasionally this has led to an imbalance where I start measuring my self-worth by my running capabilities because the ONLY goals that I am focusing on are fitness-related.
I’m not saying you shouldn’t set running or swimming or general fitness goals for yourself, I am working on a few right now, I’m just saying there is more to life than working out and that I often forget this.
So, to offset my running goals, I have given myself a reading challenge, my goal is to read all 100 of the New York Times Best Novels. Sound crazy? It probably is, but I’m not setting a timeline for myself and I really enjoy classic literature. It could actually happen in 30 years.
I’ll keep you posted on my progress but as of now I’ve read (and remember well enough to count as read) three and am working on my fourth, Catch-22.
What do you think? Do you set non-fitness-related goals for yourself?
Yesterday was my first official off-day between jobs and I spent it doing a whole lot of tedious computer tasks that I’ve been avoiding. I did some blog work (check out my new header!), cleaned out my e-mail boxes, updated linkedin, etc. Then I hit the gym for a 1,650 meter recovery swim.
Lunch was enjoyed after.
Sweet potatoes, black beans, & veganaise mixed with hot sauce and a side of asparagus.
During the afternoon, I went through my closet and drawers and found three bags-worth of clothes to give away. Awesome right? I also snacked a lot. I am SO bad about snacking when I’m at home. Yikes, need to work on this.
When Ian got home, I was starting to get a little hungry so I had a light dinner with him.
Salad (butter lettuce & raddichio), mushrooms, sunflower seeds, veggie burger, and hummus mixed with hot sauce (there’s a hot sauce theme going on obviously).
We ran a few errands (hello Whole Foods) and then came home to eat dessert and watch Super Troopers (I have never seen it).
I had some Vanilla Bean Tempt with a crumbled oatmeal raisin cookie. Yum!
What are your favorite things to do on stay-cation?
This post was perfectly timed, Lindsay! Your point about the imbalance in measuring your worth is SO true! I fall into that trap all the time. Running improvements make me crazy happy, but then when I fail, I can easily feel worthless, because I don’t have as clearly defined goals in other areas of my life. Maybe that has something to do with the ways we wrap ourselves in our identities? I mean, we can call ourselves runners, but I don’t really identify as a reader or a shopper, etc.
At any rate, what that randomness was trying to say was: awesome for realizing that you need to develop other interests too, and for picking such a fun challenge! Have you done the Great Gatsby yet? That’s my favorite, and they have a new movie coming out this fall. That one should be a fun read for you!
I have read The Great Gatsby and I loved it. I’ve also read Fitzgerald’s other book on the list Tender is the Night. I keep hearing about the movie but I haven’t seen any trailers or anything, I can’t wait to see it!
that’s such a cool goal! how much fun will it be to be able to say you did it?…even if it takes you 30 years
I know! I really want to stick with it!
Your meals look delicious and super healthy! I hope you’re enjoying your reading. I don’t really have a whole lot of non-fitness goals that aren’t work-related because I just don’t have a lot of extra time between the two, but I do have a goal of being better about keeping in touch with old friends who live far away.
That’s a great goal and something I need to work on as well!
Right now one of my non-fitness goals is to listen to my hungry cues and to respect them, it’s tough!
Good luck!
I love your book challenge! I was an English major in college so I’m a big book nerd, so it sound like a really fun challenge. I recently started reading The Help. I’ve never seen the movie, but I’ve heard good things about the book. Also — love the blog header!
Thank you!
I have always loved to read and am a total nerd so this challenge is really fun for me too! I’ve never read or seen The Help but I’ve only heard good things!
That was a ca-razy storm this morning! I could only hear the rain beating against my windows from my room (shades were closed, didn’t feel like opening them…I’m lazy haha) but when I went out to my living room I could not believe what I saw! I couldn’t see more than like a block away, and it looked like my apartment was in the middle of a cloud…except the “cloud” was actually “sheets of driving rain” haha.
I love your reading goal! I’ve read six books on the list and parts of two of them, though I’ve heard of a lot more of them and/or read other works by a good number of those authors (English major, comes with the territory haha). Beware of Ulysses! I had an incredibly intelligent professor for Brit Lit II who loved everything and anything Irish, and I don’t think even he finished it. James Joyce is TOUGH.
Ah thanks for the warning!
The storm was crazy, I walked into my apartment building completely drenched and holding an umbrella. The doorman just laughed at me and told me he was glad I made it home safely. I don’t think I’ve ever seen rain come down so hard!
I love your reading goal! Thats what I normally do during the summer! I like to read a lot. Some of my non fitness goals are school oriented and goal oriented in terms of what i want to accomplish during the school year. I like to read, cook, and watch tv on my stay cations
I always read during the summer when I was in school. I found it hard to balance reading for fun with school work but when I managed to do it it was worth it!
Haha I got caught in it too on my walk home from the gym, I just ended up jogging the rest of the way in the rain! And all 100?? That’s quite a feat! I love to read but I don’t think I’d do something like that since I know I’d get bored with several books on that list and feel like I was forcing myself to read them when I’m not enjoying them. I do keep a list of books I’ve read each year and so far I’m up to 16! Haha quite a feat for someone in law school. Good luck!
That’s great! I always had trouble balancing pleasure reading with school work. I would feel guilty if I wasn’t reading for school but for fun. Obviously this was the wrong mindset! I
That’s a great idea! I have honestly been toying around with the idea of reading a list like that of the best books of all time. I’m just bought a bunch of the classics at a used book store the other day to read so I’m debating what list to read…
I LOVE classics in a weird way. I like subtle/boring books. Anna Karenina is a perfect example.
Also, where is this bookstore?
ps love the new header!
Thank ya!
Pingback: WIAW {Staycation} | Running the Windy City
I love this reading challenge! I might have to do this! What a great idea
Thanks for sharing lady!
You’re welcome! Let me know if you decide to do it, we can chat about the books
This is one of my goals too!!!! About 1.5 years ago I came across a slightly different list of 100 greatest books to read and have been making my way through it since. It’s a great goal to reach for…I just hope we accomplish it! My current read is Anna Karenina so I may be stalled on that never-ending book for a while.
Good luck!
I love that you’re doing something similar!
Anna Karenina is a great book but it is slow. I think I read it while also reading another book so I could rotate between the two.
Good luck to you!
Wow that’s a great challenge!
My non-fitness goals usually involve reading more or getting to bed earlier. I love to read but sometimes it is hard to find the time. I have gotten through a good number of books by listening to them while I run, which I really enjoy.
I’ve always wanted to try books on tape while running. I should download a couple and give it a try!
Pingback: My Long Lost Hobby | Running the Windy City
Pingback: Monday Things {09-10-2012} | Running the Windy City