Let's Go(al)! Looking Back and Forward

Today is February 1. We are 1/12 through 2024. I have been reflecting on the month of January and looking forward to the month of February in relation to my 2024 goals and the "January Reset" I attempted last month. Here is a brief update with a few observations and lessons learned along the way, as well as my goals for the month of February.

States Yearly 252 Goals with Updates
1. Spiritual: Memorize the first two chapters of Philippians. Read the book of Philippians every day in January and plan to read chapters 1-2 each day in February as I work to memorize chapters 1-2.
2. Physical: Complete a Half-Ironman in under 5 hours: Completed the Badwater Challenge (see below) to create a high-volume base of miles to train for the half-ironman distance this year.
3. Relational: Eat a one on one meal with each of my sons and my wife at least once a month. This has gone well and I look forward to continuing.
4. Intellectual: Write a reflection post here each week. This has gone well and I look forward to continuing.

Here is what my "January Reset" entailed:

Each Day in January:

1. Read the entire book of Philippians. Complete.
2. Read at least one chapter of another book. Complete.
3. Write at least one handwritten letter. Did not complete every day. I estimate I wrote 15-20 letters instead of 31.
4. Take Fish Oil, Magnesium, and Vitamin C supplements. Complete.
5. Drink Celsius energy drink (powder form dissolved in water). Complete.
6. Eat only 3 eggs and spinach for breakfast. Complete.
7. Eat only protein shake for lunch (when at home and can prepare). Complete.
8. Eat only one serving for dinner. Complete.
9. Drink 1 gallon of water. Complete.
10. Do some form of exercise. Complete.

At End of January:

1. Complete the 267 miles required for the VR Badwater Complete. This was a fantastic experience with a lot of miles. I biked a total of 485 miles and ran a total of 146 miles. It was very cold some mornings but it had to be done. I also had a lot of time in the early mornings to accomplish the next goal of listening to the entire New Testament.
2. Read/Listen to entire New Testament. Complete. Used time running and cycling to listen on the Dwell app.
3. Attain ideal (for me) race weight of 157. Did not complete. Didn't make it down to 157. I was eating a lot to fuel for the Badwater Challenge and did not drop as many pounds as I wanted.

​Here is my plan to continue month-specific goals for February: Each Day in February:

• Read entire book of Colossians
• Read Philippians 1-2
• Read at least one chapter of another book
• Take Fish Oil, Magnesium, Vitamin C, Zinc, and Probiotics
• Drink Celsius energy drink
• 3 eggs+spinach for breakfast or fast (optional protein shake w/ creatine, almond milk, cinnamon, & blueberries)
• Eat only protein shake for lunch (when at home and can prepare)
• Eat only one serving for dinner
• Eat only Hard-boiled egg or raw vegetables for snack
• Eat fruit only in protein shake at breakfast or lunch
• Avoid bread, rice, pasta, and simple carbs
• Drink 1 gallon of water
• Do some form of exercise

At End of February:

• Read/Listen to all wisdom literature: Psalms/Proverbs/Ecclesiastes/James
• Fast 12 meals during the month
• February 29 - Weight at 158
• 20 Days completing workout routine:
  • 3 minutes of plank (5 by end of month)
  • 2 minutes hanging (5 by end of month)
  • 100 push-ups (150 by end of month)
  • Complete Weight-training / Stretching / Cardio

I am building in some flexibility to this plan as Fleur is due with our third child (baby boy!) this month. We'll see how it goes. I'm thankful for the progress in January and am hopeful for continued momentum into February.

Photo below: Finishing the Badwater Challenge on January 28 with a half-marathon in the early hours of the morning.