Goals

I have been thinking about goals a lot lately.  I used to think I was a goal setter, but I really wasn't.  I just kind of went through the motions.  Yeah, sure, I want to finish my masters degree.  Sure it would be nice to take a trip to Disney with my sister and the kids someday. I did accomplish those things, but I didn't truly "begin with the end in mind" like Steven Covey tells us a highly effective person does.

Since my school decided to embrace the "Leader in Me" movement I have thought a lot about those 7 Habits.  I encourage my kids to practice them, but have I really been expecting those habits to be part of my every day life?  Not really.  Not until recently anyway.

Last fall I spent a good deal of time talking to my younger sister about the Whole 30.  I knew she had done it and been pleased with the results (although she is a bean pole anyway so she didn't need to lose weight). Mainly she was excited about her non-scale victories, such as realizing dairy was contributing to her skin issues.  I had also seen others do it and post about it on Facebook so I was intrigued.  Then I borrowed the books and as I read I understood what the purpose really was.  I also read that it was hard but doable.  So I made up my mind that I was going to do it.  After the holidays and all of that I wanted to start my year trying to get healthier.

So at the beginning of January (not the first because its cliche and because I had friends in town) I started the Whole 30.  For anyone not familiar with Whole 30, it is not a diet per se.  It is more a 30 reset of your body.  For years we have been ingesting all kinds of yucky and unnatural stuff that is not good for our bodies.  With Whole 30 you cut out all the processed and chemicalized (yes, I did just make up that word) food.  It is no dairy, no gluten, no grains, no legumes, no sugar (or even artificial/natural sweeteners like Stevia or honey).  It is 30 days of proteins (except beans and some nuts like peanuts), fruits, and vegetables.  And it was hard.  I am a sugar addict.  I love candy and sweets and soda and anything that contains sugar.  I love peanut butter and bacon and bread and rice and pasta.  I love some healthy food, but my tastes run more to the unhealthy.

But the good news is...I DID IT!  I went 30 whole days without all of those things.  When there was cake at a baby shower at school, I did not eat any (one of the hardest days ever for me).  When I had Skittles out for my student's to have, I didn't eat any (I caught myself reaching for them once or twice).  If I wanted a sweet treat, I grabbed a piece of fruit.  If I had the munchies, I ate some natural almonds or raw cashews.  If I wanted something to flavor my water, I added lemons.  I stuck to the rules and I stuck to my guns.  And I WON!  And in the process I learned a few things about myself.

I learned that I can set a specific goal and reach that goal.  I learned that I can stick to something if I really set my mind to it.  I learned that I DO have the willpower to resist things that I shouldn't eat or drink.  I learned how to really do some cooking (not opening cans or boxes or bags and using a microwave all the time).  I learned that I CAN cook.  I also learned that I am not a fan of eggs for breakfast every morning.  As well as I hate spending my evenings in the kitchen.

Now that I know I can REALLY set a goal and reach it, I have decided to set some other specific goals for myself.  And if I truly want to begin with the end in mind, then I need to have a plan for accomplishing those goals.

Goal 1--To run a 5K.--Deadline--May 6, 2017
I am planning to run in the One Sole Purpose 5K on this day.  If you are a runner and would like to join me, feel free.  It is for a good cause and so it will be a double whammy for me.  Reach a goal and help people.  In order to meet that goal I need to complete my Couch to 5K that I started last fall.  I am on week 2 right now and if I stay on track I should be good to go.  That includes any days I feel like I need to repeat because they were harder.  I need to be running 3-4 days a week...minimum.

Goal 2--To double the word count on my novel I am writing--Deadline--the end of March.
I actually started this at the beginning of March, but have not done as well as I had hoped.  I was at about 38,000 words when the month began and I would like to be at 79,000 or 80,000 when the month is over.  I did hit the 45K mark last night so I am making progress.  My plan for reaching that goal is to try to write for an hour every night and get 1000-2000 words.  I got 2200 last night so I know I can do it.

Goal 3--To drop another pant size--Deadline--June 1
I have already seen some significant results after my attempts in the fall and January to make better choices with my food, drinks and exercise.  But now I really need to get serious.  My plan is to try to eat Whole 30 compliant foods mostly during the week and be a little more relaxed on the weekends. Some days are better than others, but I need to not throw in the towel one day because I ate a doughnut at school.  I can still be better for the rest of the day.  Between the food and the training for my 5K in May, that should help me do better.

So those are my goals for now.  I may have others later on, but I figure I need to start slow and work my way forward.  These are all time sensitive so when their time passes then I can set new ones.  I am hoping that soon I will be ready to set my goals for where I want to go with Plexus, but I am still digesting the information about the products working toward seeing the results so I can be my own testimonial.

Well, thanks for coming along this crazy journey called life with me.  If you want to comment, feel free to share a goal that you have for yourself.  I would love to cheer you on!

Em