Hi, sweetpeas! It’s been quite the busy day in Gracie-land. In fact, it was one of those days where I was so busy I almost forgot to eat! Keyword: almost 
There’s no particular reason for my busy-ness other than the fact that I’m officially in fall mode. To me, the fall (which, is my favorite season) is all about being productive - along with boots and sweaters and scarves and all things pumpkin-flavored, of course. And, maybe I’m weird, but I’m actually *less* stressed when I’m busy/productive than when I’m sitting around thinking I should be doing something. Can anyone else relate…?
eats.
Breakfast this morning was a simple bowl of cereal topped with sliced nectarine, almond milk, and a spoonful of peanut butter.
I was feeling all sorts of undecided when lunchtime rolled around, so a variety/snack plate was in order.
My plate included:
- Terra veggie chips
- grapes
- celery topped with mozzarella cheese
- nectarine topped with peanut butter
- a frozen peanut butter date
For more snackage I dug into some protein cookie dough. I forgot how much I loved this stuff! For some extra cookie-dough-ness I added a broken-up Adora disk. That was a good decision.
And for dinner? I’m thinking tonight calls for some salad bar action 
2010 [push up] goals check-in.
While I’ve definitely been chipping away at my goals for 2010, it’s one of the easiest ones that I’ve been putting off the most: I still cannot do 20 push ups! Let’s just say I’m glad I made my goal 20 push ups instead of 100.
You see, that may seem like a simple goal, but it’s also a very simple one to say, “oh, I’ll get around to that tomorrow.” I’ve definitely made some headway, though, because less than a year ago I couldn’t do a single real push up. Sad, isn’t it?
As of today I can do 10 consecutive push ups.
…But not before having quite the difficult time getting my self-timer to work 
Angel Gracie…?
THERE we go.
This is one goal for 2010 that I WILL reach, you hear read me?
My plan: I’m going to do at least 10 push ups a day, aiming to add 2 more each week. With about 16 weeks left in the year, I should be good to go. Now all I have left is to learn martial arts and start investing my savings. Wish me luck!
- What goal(s) for 2010 are you determined to reach? How are they going so far?
- Are you in fall mode yet?
Oh I am DEFINITELY in fall mode!! I am so ready to start wearing jeans and sweaters. Those are my favorites! I love when it starts getting cool, one of the best times of the year!
Hi Gracie ! Good post ! I have a few goals for 2010. The first is to run a sub-2hr half marathon in October (I just ran 10mi in 1:33, so I’m thinking this is a reasonable goal!). The next is to get involved in other fitness activities ~ spinning, yoga, etc. I already dabble in them, but I would like more of a commitment from myself to improve in each!
And OMG, am I ready for fall !!!! I cannot WAIT to start wearing sweaters and boots again !! Plus, running outside is so so much easier
Happy Day to you!
I am the same way about being productive in “fall mode”! I’ve embarked on a fall cleaning spree of my house (which seems to be taking quite a long time), trying to make it look less student-y and more adult-like. One of my goals is to have it looking the way I want it to by the end of this week! Another is to finally finish another fitness instructor certification, and I really need to get on it soon. Congrats on the 10 pushups!! Even though it’s not 20, that’s still great progress!
I am less stressed when I am busier as well. It’s a great feeling and I thrive on the adrenaline.
I’m also ready for Fall! I need some pumpkin pie!
I am SO in Fall mode. Probably too much! I can’t wait for it to get cool.
Pull ups, push ups, all so hard! Go Gracie, Go!
I need to pay closer attention to my goals, that’s for sure. But I’ve done some things I’m still surprised I have done this year. It’s been full of great surprises.
I totally feel less stressed when I’m actually DOING stuff. Its when I’m sitting around thinking about all the things I could/would be doing that I get stressed. *sigh* There was a time when I could do 20 real push-ups. I can’t anymore though… its amazing how you lose muscle you don’t use.
My eats are in fall mode (soup, hot chocolate, hot coffee, lots of oats) but I am a summer girl through and through so my mind isn’t there yet. Probably because it’s still HOT here.
“less stressed when I’m busy/productive than when I’m sitting around thinking I should be doing something”
I DEFINITELY relate to that! I’m so busy right now, but it feels great! Such a major difference from Summer where I felt so stressed because I wasn’t doing ANYTHING. I love “fall mode”!
Fitness goals I’m looking forward to this year: losing 10 pounds before my marathon (end of October) and running another marathon!
Yay! I hope that with a little bit of weight loss, I can trim some time off of my already-a-little-pokey mile average. 
Keep up the good work with your pushups! Maybe that’ll be a goal for me later . . .
definitely in fall mode! i love that you mentioned pumpkin. i recently updated my usual breakfast ‘souffle’ to reflect the change of seasons. angela (oh she glows) has been putting it in her oats…chili…everything lately, so i decided to give it a go! my ‘souffle’ usually includes: 1 tbs almond butter (or pb in a pinch), 1 tbs flax, and 1 egg. mixed together in a ramekin and microwaved for 2 min. add a couple spoonfuls of pumpkin into the ‘batter’ and youve got pumpkin pie for breakfast! with a bit of cinnamon and maple syrup on top of course!
http://standingintadasana.blogspot.com/2010/08/elyssa-falling-into-fall.html
Im working on a push-up goal myself. I keep reminding myself: Practice & Patience! Fall is the farthest thing from my mind, I am sucking every remaining second from the summer.
I’m totally in fall mode! And I completely agree with you - I find being busy to be natural and comfortable, while having lots of free time often makes me feel more stressed!
I am definitely starting to get into fall mode. I bought a cute sweater this past weekend and that started it all.
This morning I also treated myself to a pumpkin spice latte..seriously addicting!!
Push-ups are NOT easy! I’m actually working on my number as well. Other than that, one of my goals is to buy a bike. I guess the “goal” would be saving enough to buy said bike. And my other goal is to complete the half marathon with Billy in December. Don’t care about times - just want to run it together.
I definitely want to lose a few pounds! I absolutely love fall and am ready for it! I just love the feeling it brings, not to mention I am obsessed with ALL THINGS pumpkin.
Have you ever tried making a pumpkin shake? You use almond milk, canned pumpkin, cinnamon, and a little sweetener like agave or cinnamon. You can also add greek yogurt for extra boost of protein! Its delicious!
I did the same with pushups… started by doing 5 a night and then 7 and then 9… you get the idea. Now, they are so much easier! And they make me feel so accomplished!
Oh fall - how I love thee!!!
My FAVORITE season for sure is fall - crisp air, the colors, the eats, everything !!!
Your lunch looks super awesome!!!
WTG on the push ups
I’m also feeling the fall mode… and getting excited to wear my new cute boots for sure
I love your pushup goal, and think I want to join you in the challenge! I have little to no upper body strength ahha. And that protein cookie dough? NOM NOM NOM - I neeeeed to get on that!
i LOVE that goal! mine is to do a full pull up unassisted!!
That sounds like a great recipe!! I may just have to give it a try
Ohhh that does sound DELISH! Thanks for the suggestion
I LOVE fall. And yes, it does make me want to be productive! I think it’s the school mindset that’s engrained.
I’ll have you know that all day today I craved two things: PB dates & Mini Blizzards. And the closest DQ is 20 minutes away. I checked. BOOOOO!
I just found your blog, and I’m so glad I did! Those are great goals, and I definitely feel better when I’m productive!
Also, I HAVE to try that cookie dough recipe! YUM!
I am definitely in fall mode. It’s all about getting bck in the swing of things. I swear, my life totally stops when school’s out for the summer!
I actually had to go back and check my resolutions to see how I’m doing! So far I’ve knocked quite a few out of the park - run a half marathon, give my blog more love, adopt better spending habits, take a vacation for me. Now all I have to do is cook more! Hmm..
And man I wish I was in fall mode. I am really going to miss the changing leaves this season. I think you should take lots of pictures and post them, OK? I’ll probably be donning shorts and sweating until Christmas.
I’m not in fall mode yet but with class starting on Thursday I’m sure I will be soon!
I am not in fall mode yet but I can’t wait! It’s my favorite time of the year!! I love the smell of pumpkin and the feel of cold air on my cheeks
Ah, love warm sweaters and boots for fall, def the best part!!
Omgosh so glad you jumped on the dried date and wcw bandwagon, i’ve been eating those two together like…… the lovematch they are!! Haven’t tried it frozen though, will have to give it a whirl!
Take care girl!
I can’t remember my 2010 goals. I think it was just along the lines of keeping my grades really high since I want to go to grad school.
Woo hoo! I think the push up goal is a great one! And the martial Arts sounds pretty awesome too
I know what you mean, I hate having the feeling of ‘i should be doing something’ Bring on the fall (and the pumpkin flavors!)
NOOOOO I’m SO NOT in Fall mode. I hate it when summer ends, because it means I’ll be cold soon. I’m actually kind of mopey about the start of September haha…at least I have a few more weeks of warm weather left!!
Awesome goal!! My current goals are to 1) stay organized and on top of my school work this semester and 2) finish my second half marathon. Nothing crazy!!
Can’t wait to see you this weekend!!!!!!
I actually love the productive feeling of fall! It just feels good to be doing something with a purpose. I’m not quite in fall mode yet. I will be when school starts up in a few weeks though.
Push ups are hard stuff! I can only do about 5. Good luck with your goal.
My goal for 2010 is to get back to being ME. I totally lost myself in all my food issues last year and I just want to be myself again. I’m getting there!!
We are so the same when it comes to Fall. I’ve had a can of pumpkin in my cupboard for so long, but am waiting for the firt crisp morning to bust it out!
I’m totally in fall mode! Hell-O September
I love the push-up challenge… maybe I’ll add that one to my 2011 goal list… what? too soon?
I’m running in a half marathon in November.. so that is my big goal of 2010 .. even though I didn’t know it would be at the new year!
I’m not in fall mode yet because now that I’m not in school, I’m totally appreciating that most of September is actually still summer!! When I planned my “fall wedding” for September 19th last year I had to keep reminding myself it was actually still summer for two more days
I do love fall.. the cool crisp air, picking apples, drinking apple cider, going through a corn maze, carving pumpkins, and more!
I’m with you on fall mode! I wore a sweater last night even though the weather didn’t quite suit my choice. I’m just excited about this upcoming season:-).
I guess I’m reluctantly getting into fall mode. I love summer, so it’s tough to embrace the cooler (and rainy) weather.
My 2010 goals are to eat clean and transform my husband into a clean eater as well. Tricky, tricky..
What kinds of protein powder do you use? Every time I try and make that cookie dough or make something with protein powder like a cupcake it tastes gross! Any recommendations?
Hi Lisa! The protein powder I used for this “cookie dough” was the generic brand from my local health food store. It’s vanilla whey!