I've approached this year's resolutions with a considerable amount of thought and encouragement from last year's resolutions successes. I've added one: the other 4 are continuations and tweaks.
1: Continued daily time with God: Focus on Prayer
I have revised the prayer focus list I created in 2012 to help remind me of who I have committed to pray for. I was excited to see answers to prayer I have already seen from my previous list. Why the focus on prayer? I have not been nearly as intentional or disciplined with prayer as I would like to be. So, just as I focused on Scripture reading last year, I will make prayer more of a focus this year. Not entirely sure how I can have a tangible goal like reading through the Bible in a year: I will try praying 5 days a week for at least 10 minutes and expand as I go.
2: Lose Weight: Goal of 20 more lbs.
True, I have only lost 15lbs this past year but, I hope to stay on track. I have already gotten back into a workout routine and now have a more active lifestyle. I have started this year at 191, size 14 pants. Excited for what progress I can continue to make towards being healthy. Of course this will be much easier one the last of the Christmas goodies are out of my house.
3: Pay off another $10,550 in debt. Pay cash for a car
The end result I would like to see of this goal is to surpass this! If we can stay on track this year, doing better than last year, I know we can.
We will need to purchase a new vehicle for me this year. There are some problems with my current mode of transportation. And also, I would appreciate having a 4 door car, and air conditioning this summer in case we can meet out debt goals. Because then it means we are on our way, God willing, to little ones.
4: Have my novel manuscript publication ready
I want to write more. I already write every day with journaling, etc. But, that is not helping me finish my novel. So, I have made myself a goal of writing 2 pages in 5 days. If I exceed...even better!
I also intend to blog every month, like I managed to last year.
I am proficient at excuses: and I have finally realized my "reasons" and only excuses bred from fear.
5: Utilize better organization so I can wisely manage my time more wisely
I have already begun practical steps to this: two weeks before the new year (thanks in part to Pinterest.) I created a monthly meal planning list, made a master inventory list that will make grocery shopping infinitely easier, grocery shopped for the month, budgeted (haven't done that since August...ugh!) and made up a list of weekly and monthly household chores. Overall, a bit of time here and there to save time and money in the end.
I already feel considerably less stressed. Horray!
So, I know there are several friends of mine who refuse to do resolutions: for those of you who do, what are your resolutions or goalsthis year?
Showing posts with label resolutions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label resolutions. Show all posts
Friday, January 3, 2014
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Fourth week: Resolutions so far?
Week 4 of lifestyle changes.
5 pounds lost so far and if I skip a day of working out, I seriously miss it. My body feels bluh, my muscles don't know what to do without being a little sore and pushed. I have noticed much more energy despite weather changes and this week being yet another migraine week. Somehow, it's better than the one I had a couple of weeks ago. Yay! Progress.
Same is coming true for my daily devotional time with Jesus. My mornings feel off if I skip a day. My problem now is not getting in 30 minutes a day. It's stopping after an hour because I need to get to my workouts so I have time to shower and get to work on time. My alarm keeps getting set further and further back. Now, if only my early bedtime would work out. le sigh.
I'm noticing changes. My attitude keeps changing. Stuff that didn't used to bug me does now. I notice foul, crass, and bad language now. I'm eager (once I'm awake) for my morning routine to begin. I'm making wiser choices with my diet. I do not crave what I used to crave. Sure, I have chocolate every other day or so... or maybe more often. I think about what and how much I am eating now. I am more disciplined. I am back to a healthier relationship with food. And it feels great.
As far as my writing goal: trying every week to write a new post on this blog keeps me writing and those creative juices flowing. Plus, this week has been full of filling out worksheets for story structure and plot lines, and doing more character developments. Very exciting to see ideas start to come together. We will see how this goes!
Financial Peace is going well, too. We have officially started the envelope system and our first zero balance budget. So many super helpful tools. Already, we are not spending as much as we were before and are actually saving a little.
My biggest challenge as I re-prioritize is to not stress to keep my goals, but to do my best to just, yeah, prioritize. If I have an off day, it's life: I will not despair. Life happens and this is my new life so, do not stress out and most of all, keep going. Do not give up.
5 pounds lost so far and if I skip a day of working out, I seriously miss it. My body feels bluh, my muscles don't know what to do without being a little sore and pushed. I have noticed much more energy despite weather changes and this week being yet another migraine week. Somehow, it's better than the one I had a couple of weeks ago. Yay! Progress.
Same is coming true for my daily devotional time with Jesus. My mornings feel off if I skip a day. My problem now is not getting in 30 minutes a day. It's stopping after an hour because I need to get to my workouts so I have time to shower and get to work on time. My alarm keeps getting set further and further back. Now, if only my early bedtime would work out. le sigh.
I'm noticing changes. My attitude keeps changing. Stuff that didn't used to bug me does now. I notice foul, crass, and bad language now. I'm eager (once I'm awake) for my morning routine to begin. I'm making wiser choices with my diet. I do not crave what I used to crave. Sure, I have chocolate every other day or so... or maybe more often. I think about what and how much I am eating now. I am more disciplined. I am back to a healthier relationship with food. And it feels great.
As far as my writing goal: trying every week to write a new post on this blog keeps me writing and those creative juices flowing. Plus, this week has been full of filling out worksheets for story structure and plot lines, and doing more character developments. Very exciting to see ideas start to come together. We will see how this goes!
Financial Peace is going well, too. We have officially started the envelope system and our first zero balance budget. So many super helpful tools. Already, we are not spending as much as we were before and are actually saving a little.
My biggest challenge as I re-prioritize is to not stress to keep my goals, but to do my best to just, yeah, prioritize. If I have an off day, it's life: I will not despair. Life happens and this is my new life so, do not stress out and most of all, keep going. Do not give up.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Second Week: What I've Lost and Gained
Week two of changing our life style. How's it going?
Well, on Monday (last week) I weighed myself, dreading the whole stepping on the scale thing, hoping that I had lost a pound at least. Well, I have lost 4 pounds! Definite motivation to continue working out and eating well.
Of course, this second week, I have had all sorts of things thrown at me to hinder my progress. This time around my body was especially cruel. I had two full blown migraine days in a row. And it still hung on two days after. So, there has been a bit less vigorous workout: but I have been logged 5-7 miles a day on my exercise bike. I decided to not give up: no matter what. There will always be something that will come along to try to break up my determination.
Second week of spending morning time with Jesus was as much of a workout as my physical workout. In addition to reading in the Bible and spending time in prayer, I have been getting my butt kicked by George MacDonald. Knowing the Heart of God is a compilation of MacDonald's writings, poems, etc. I felt moved to purchase this book probably 13 plus years ago. The first time I attempted to read it I did not understand half of what was being said so, I gave up after a couple of chapters. Several times over the past decade or so, I have started to get rid of the book, but each time I would feel a check that I would need it one day. Interestingly enough, when I determined to start spending time studying scripture, being with God, etc, that book immediately popped into my head. It has definitely been challenging, and rewarding.
What else have I lost? The weight of mistrust, negative attitudes, some bitterness. Of course some sleep as I attempt to wake up at 6:15 every morning to work out. Admittedly I go back to bed a little after 8 for about an hour and a half. But, for a lover of sleep, this is a sacrifice when I do not get to bed until 1 ever night. But, because of my staying up late (usually talking and hanging out with my sister) I am gaining a deeper relationship with my sister as we work through reestablishing our once air-tight relationship. Now to balance out and get figure out how to still hang out and get to bed earlier.
Another gain is a deeper relationship and unity with Clay. It's wonderful and encouraging that the more time you spend with God, the more your other priorities line up. Clay and I are furthering out healthy lifestyles by changing out priorities and taking steps to manage our free time more wisely. Most of last year we spent feeling frazzled, too busy, and over-committed. As we enter our third year together and second year of marriage, we are taking a serious look at what kind of a marriage we want and we are aggressively pursuing open, honest communication with each other, preserving and deepening our friendships, while growing together in Christ as we minister together and fellowship with our Church family.
Week one of Financial Peace was not nearly as difficult as I had anticipated. I feel we were already on the same team with all the debt we have previously tackled: we just needed better tools and to get a bit of a leg up on encouragement. All the leg work, tears, frustrations, long talks and budgeting from the previous year and half have not been in vain.
So far, this year looks to be full of hard work, with exciting potential for amazing, God sized results!
We can do this! On to week three of life changes!
Well, on Monday (last week) I weighed myself, dreading the whole stepping on the scale thing, hoping that I had lost a pound at least. Well, I have lost 4 pounds! Definite motivation to continue working out and eating well.
Of course, this second week, I have had all sorts of things thrown at me to hinder my progress. This time around my body was especially cruel. I had two full blown migraine days in a row. And it still hung on two days after. So, there has been a bit less vigorous workout: but I have been logged 5-7 miles a day on my exercise bike. I decided to not give up: no matter what. There will always be something that will come along to try to break up my determination.
Second week of spending morning time with Jesus was as much of a workout as my physical workout. In addition to reading in the Bible and spending time in prayer, I have been getting my butt kicked by George MacDonald. Knowing the Heart of God is a compilation of MacDonald's writings, poems, etc. I felt moved to purchase this book probably 13 plus years ago. The first time I attempted to read it I did not understand half of what was being said so, I gave up after a couple of chapters. Several times over the past decade or so, I have started to get rid of the book, but each time I would feel a check that I would need it one day. Interestingly enough, when I determined to start spending time studying scripture, being with God, etc, that book immediately popped into my head. It has definitely been challenging, and rewarding.
What else have I lost? The weight of mistrust, negative attitudes, some bitterness. Of course some sleep as I attempt to wake up at 6:15 every morning to work out. Admittedly I go back to bed a little after 8 for about an hour and a half. But, for a lover of sleep, this is a sacrifice when I do not get to bed until 1 ever night. But, because of my staying up late (usually talking and hanging out with my sister) I am gaining a deeper relationship with my sister as we work through reestablishing our once air-tight relationship. Now to balance out and get figure out how to still hang out and get to bed earlier.
Another gain is a deeper relationship and unity with Clay. It's wonderful and encouraging that the more time you spend with God, the more your other priorities line up. Clay and I are furthering out healthy lifestyles by changing out priorities and taking steps to manage our free time more wisely. Most of last year we spent feeling frazzled, too busy, and over-committed. As we enter our third year together and second year of marriage, we are taking a serious look at what kind of a marriage we want and we are aggressively pursuing open, honest communication with each other, preserving and deepening our friendships, while growing together in Christ as we minister together and fellowship with our Church family.
Week one of Financial Peace was not nearly as difficult as I had anticipated. I feel we were already on the same team with all the debt we have previously tackled: we just needed better tools and to get a bit of a leg up on encouragement. All the leg work, tears, frustrations, long talks and budgeting from the previous year and half have not been in vain.
So far, this year looks to be full of hard work, with exciting potential for amazing, God sized results!
We can do this! On to week three of life changes!
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