Clean out the turkey

In just a bit more than 10 weeks, I will be returning to my full time job.  I think about returning to work, like I think about Thanksgiving dinner -- neither excite me, but when they arrive I will rise to the occasion.  As Thanksgiving rolls closer, I am reminded of a strategy that I have employed in the past - those great articles in Sunset magazine or Rachel Ray that give you a timeline of sorts (2 weeks in advance - buy turkey, 1 week in advance - thaw turkey, etc.).  I think I can employee a similar strategy for a healthy return to my job.   I feel like I have made great gains physically (actually more losses than gains), emotionally, and professionally.  I am hoping to maintain the momentum right up until Jan. 19 - so I can return much like the anticipation of a Thanksgiving turkey -- with a feeling of satisfaction (for a job well done), satiety, and sanity, which will hopefully propel me through the spring semester.  To that end, I am beginning a timeline of activities that I hope to accomplish in preparation for my return - some are related to my goals set forth at the beginning of this project and some are not.  Feel free to make suggestions in the comments.

1. 10 weeks out - adapt, begin employment, and finalize GTD (get things done) system for RTW (return to work) 
2. 9 weeks out - meet with big boss, finalize syllabi, order textbooks
   
3. 8 weeks out - order holiday cards
   
4. 7 weeks out - give thanks and enjoy Thanksgiving
5. 6 weeks out - prep house for house tour, send out holiday cards
6. 5 weeks out - do Christmas shopping
7. 4 weeks out - make list of things that will need to return to work with me
8. 3 weeks out - savor the season
9. 2 weeks out - pack return boxes
10. 7 days out - find "knock 'em dead" outfit for first day of school
11. 6 days out - ???
12. 5 days out - ???
13. 4 days out - ???
14. 3 days out - ???
15. 2 days out - ???
16. 1 day out - lay out "knock 'em dead" outfit for work tomorrow

Monday Update

So today is day 15 of my treadmill desk project. I continue to be making good progress. Since the first day I have walked 79.6 miles @ 1.2 mph. On average I have walked for 4.36 hours per day, covered 5.83 miles, and burnt 692 calories. In the second week I lost an additional 2 pounds, bringing my total to 7 pounds. and find myself being much better about drinking water than I ever have in the past. I have noticed that I am continuing to drink more water than normal and that I have replaced eating to combat boredom with jumping on the treadmill. Because my treadmill stops at 99.99 minutes, my work day is nicely broken in to four chunks -- early treading -- breakfast -- mid-morning treading -- lunch -- early afternoon treading -- the kids get home. I am usually able to get in one more stint after the kids go to bed.

Weenie Wednesdays

Since today is Wednesday, I thought I would spend a little time laying out my weekly schedule. My intent it to walk at least five of the seven days each week. Monday and Fridays will be medium length walks (in terms of mileage or time), Tuesdays and Thursdays will be my longest walks, and Wednesday will be my shortest day. The weekends will be dependent on my family's schedules and the household goings on. Thus far my lowest mileage day was last Wednesday, when I walked just under 4 miles. My highest mileage to date was last Thursday, when I covered 9.27 miles over the course of nearly eight hours.