I had to pinch myself this morning because I can’t believe it’s already April. In a little over a month, my oldest nephew graduates from high school. I’m very proud of him, but I’m pretty sure he was wearing diapers just a few moments ago. When did he get big? When did I get old? Why does time either crawl or zip along? These are the questions that haunt me. Okay, not really. Mostly I think about what I’m going to eat and why Max is always so naughty.
The other thing I think about a lot these days are my goals. This makes me proud because in the past I ignored them in hopes they would disappear. Set them and forget them is not the best plan when you actually want to achieve your goals. Of course, if we’re being honest, I probably wasn’t very committed or interested in achieving my personal goals in the past. But now I am. So let’s see how I did in March.
Who Rang the Bell in March? I Did!
Now I don’t want to get too boastful but who’s a boss? I am. Well, mostly. 🙂
- Start a Vitamin Regiment: Pass, mostly. Unfortunately, I don’t always remember to take them. They are in a visible spot but that hasn’t made a difference. Too often I only thought about them right before I fell asleep. For now, I’ve set an alarm to remind me because they don’t do me any good sitting on my table.
- Drink More Water: Pass. I’ve become less vigilant about this and need to pay more attention. Water is good. 🙂
- Buy a swimsuit and swim 1-2 times a week: Mostly pass. I decided against buying a new swimsuit but have started taking some short swims. I feel really self-conscious and I’m trying to get over it.
- Practice daily gratitude: Mostly Fail. I actually forgot about this goal, again.
So … Are You Experiencing Results?
Yes and no. Nothing super tangible but the fact that I’m taking my goals seriously and putting effort towards achieving them is in itself a huge result and win. These were always simple, easy-to-do goals that would have a big impact long-term but not necessarily have an immediate effect. My pants are still looser and I’m feeling stronger, so overall I am pleased with the results thus far. This definitely helps keep me motivated and pushing myself.
April Goals: Food, Glorious Food
I purposefully did not set goals around food initially. Sadly, I tend to act like a two-year-old and throw a temper tantrum when I start cutting out foods. So I didn’t set goals around them but started to better regulate my carb consumption on my own. Because there was less pressure, I actually did okay. Now I’m ready to start adding public and specific food goals.
- Swim 2 times a week. I want to add strength training for May, so do some advance research (what exercises to do) so I am prepared with everything I need to add the goal successfully next month.
- Drink a minimum of 48 ounces of water every day.
- Continue with my vitamin regiment.
- Practice daily gratitude and find a trigger to remind myself to do it.
- Prepare some freezer meals (I’ll discuss more about this on Thursday).
- Regulate carb consumption (I’ll discuss what this means next Monday).
Adding a couple of food goals does make me a little nervous but I tried to keep everything really simple and doable. Hopefully, the previous goals have become a bit more habit now too, which should make things easier. Regardless, whether I succeed or bomb next month, I’m still moving forward and inching closer and closer to getting healthy, which is what really matters.
Did you set goals for March? If so, how did you do? Do you have any favorite freezer meals or favorite strength training workouts, please share if you do!
Tanya
Strength training is so good on so many levels! You actually burn more calories doing absolutely nothing once you develop more muscles. I need to get better about drinking water. I’m good with vitamins, but water is something I totally forget. Oh and carbs, man don’t even get me started. It’s my downfall…good luck in April!
I’m definitely looking forward to building some muscles (which I desperately need) and burning calories because I got them! 🙂 Yeah, I can be real hit and miss with my water consumption. TMI – but I have the world’s smallest bladder so it feels like I already spend too much of day in the bathroom with the amount of water I already drink. 🙂 I love carbs and they are my downfall too. Damn them for being so darn tasty and addictive!
I totally hear ya about drinking more water. I am having problems with my water intake too. I really need to get better about doing that. Hopefully in April, you and I can both knock that goal out! 🙂
I’m glad I’m not the only one with troubles drinking their daily amount of water. It seems like such an easy thing, which it is, but it is also so easy to forget about it too!
I think you’re dong great, Tanya. I hear you on the not setting goals for food – that works better for me too. My strength training regimen is short and simple: low weight (10 lb) high rep arm exercises and trying to the take stairs as much as I can. I also try and plank for a minute several days a week as that is great for strength as well. Goal this month: easy does it on the carbs and on meal portions.
Sometimes the way my brain works is if I don’t have a big goal around something, I more open to doing the work. I don’t know why that is because it really doesn’t make sense. But if I don’t have to watch my carb intake, I’ll do it. If I ave to watch it, I feel crabby. Some days it is like I am two-years-old. 🙂 When I start my strength training next month, the plan is to keep it short and simple because then I tend to do it. It is when I make things complicated that I start skipping workouts. I need to get better on meal portions – that’s an area where I really struggle too. We can do it, my friend!