Here’s Another Lame Post About 2011 Goals

Jumping on the bandwagon, that’s me.

I try not to make resolutions, because I like goals better.

What? They’re basically the same thing? Oh.

Well anyway, I have a couple of goals for this year; I actually listed them back in November, on my birthday, and I’ve got a running start on that last one. I learned some big lessons about time management when I was busy organizing closets and such, in December. Remember how I told you that I put my Productivity Project tasks on my calendar, to hold myself accountable?

Well, guess what? I used to do that, years ago, for my workouts. It was a strategy that worked for me, making time for myself. When I started taking Zumba classes a couple of months ago, I started putting those on my calendar, because I pay for two classes per week, upfront, at the beginning of each month. I don’t want to miss any!

What I’ve decided to do, along with increase my workouts starting YESTERDAY, is schedule each and every one of my workouts for the week (Zumba, walking, whatever), on my calendar. I have to. Otherwise, I get sucked into doing other things early in the morning (my preferred workout time: so I can get it done and start my day!), and then skip the workout. I finally tried a couple of the Zumba DVDs (which Jim bought for my birthday) this week and love them (especially the ab workout: WOO!), and I like to walk the dog, and scheduling these things just like my Zumba classes will commit myself, to ME.

Another goal is to start taking better care of myself physically. My weight has continued creeping up, bit by bit, and I need to get serious about putting a stop to that. I just finished reading the new book Cinch! Conquer Cravings, Drop Pounds, and Lose Inches for a write-up on my review blog (check out what I thought, here), and I am once again in “motivation mode”. I know that one of the reasons I’ve been gaining weight is soda consumption. It’s terrible for me (and my family), and I need to quit drinking it on a regular basis. I know that by giving up soda (egads!) and drinking more water and tea, I will drop some weight within a week or two, so that’s the plan. I will also begin incorporating many of the recipes from the Cinch! book into our meals, because they truly look awesome, and SIMPLE. Rather than make sweeping changes–because making large changes has always led to failure for me–we’re going to be taking baby steps around here. If it takes me all year to lose fifteen or twenty pounds, so be it.

Yet another goal is to start taking better care of myself mentally, by taking time out to do the extra workouts I love so much, and to READ. I have, on my bookshelf, about eight brand-new books that I’ve been dying to read, just sitting there because “I don’t have time”.

I read the Cinch! book over the past three days, people. I have the time. When people tell me that they don’t exercise at all because they don’t have time, I tell them that they have it, but they aren’t taking the time. This is true for me, with reading. I need to pick up books regularly, and just sit, relax, and lose myself in them. It’s good for me. This may sound like a ridiculous goal to those of you who read regularly, but if I could seriously finish five books THIS YEAR, I’d be a happy woman. I think I will get one of those “What I’m Reading Now” widgets for the sidebar. I mean, seriously, how embarrassing would it be to have the same book posted there all year??? (EDITED: Widget is up! See? Left sidebar!)(P.S. Disclosure: it’s an affiliate widget, just FYI.)

So there you have it, my simple, small, do-able goals for this year. What about you?

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©2010 Suburban Scrawl

6 Comments

  • Heather

    Honestly, I think this would be good for you– You are SO BUSY, Melisa, and I think it's going to be important for you to take time out for YOU. 🙂 I can't wait to see what you end up reading and once you're ready, I have a ton of suggestions!
    xo

  • Colleen - Mommy Always Wins

    I would love to hear what Zumba DVDs you have. I need to get my butt back to those classes ASAP but its been crazy with the holidays and it would be nice to be able to do workouts at home, too!

  • Mom24

    Isn't it funny how we all struggle to fit the pieces in–you're right, we definitely fit in the ones that are important enough to us. I read, a lot, five books in a week sometimes, yet workouts never seem to be something I can find time for in the school year when I work.

    I think you would do yourself a world of good to take the strategy you've planned–slow and steady, small changes you can live with. I wish you well.

  • seashore subjects

    I absolutely second mom24 I make plenty of time to read, but no time to work-out. I need to make a time and stick to it!

  • BeautifulWreck

    I am definitely making this year a year to focus on my neglected self. I need to be in better shape. Stop giving myself away. I don't think I am brave enough to do Zumba. Yoga is on my list.