Getting a Jump Start on The New Year

Well it's that time again!  Time to get focused and write down those thing I would like to accomplish in this new year.  I know it's not the new year yet, but New Year's Day falls on a Wednesday and I like things to start new things on Mondays...so I am posting my list (and starting) today!  I also realized that last year I didn't remember some of my goals because I didn't look at the list regularly so this year I plan to print out my list and post it where I can see it. 

 

So here they are...

 

PHYSICALLY

I am ready to do this once and for all.  We are going on vacation to the beach in June and I want to reach goal weight by then.  I am currently at 168.8 lbs and I want to see 150 by mid-June.  That's just under 1 lb a week that I need to lose which is totally achievable. 

SPIRITUALLY

I really want to grow in my spiritual walk this year.  I have signed up to be in a year-long women's small group which will require a new level of commitment and consistency and I a excited about it!

ATHLETICALLY

I don't have any racing goals this year and in fact may not race at all.  My goal is to become more toned and fit during my weight loss so I won't feel hindered to try new things because of my lack of physical fitness.

FINANCIALLY

I want to get back on track with Dave Ramsey's Baby Steps.  This means paying off our van as soon as possible and then start putting money into savings.  First and foremost I want to set up a workable budget that our entire family adheres to.

MARRIAGE

Continue to see our marriage grow by nurturing it through date nights, open communication, and showing each other mutual love and respect. 

PARENTING

Try to listen more to my children instead of instructing or correcting them.  I want to see the heart of my children.  I also want to show them unconditional love.

 

FAMILY

Goal #1:  Spend more quality time as a family doing things other than watching TV!  Plan to do 1 fun thing per month as a family.

Goal #2:  Once our budget is in place, I would like to figure out some system of chores and allowances.

Goal #3:  Develop authentic & quality relationships with extended family scheduling regular visits with them.

Goal #4:  Start teaching my kids stories from the Bible by doing some reading in the evenings.

 

HOMEMAKING

Goal #1: Make a weekly & monthly cleaning schedule and try my best to maintain order in our home so it can be a place of relaxation.

Goal #2:  Continue with last year's goal to organize every room in our house and purging those things we do not use/need.

Goal #3:  Do weekly meal planning and grocery list in order to save money on food and also use items from our pantry.

 

2013 Goal Recap

Well I can't believe Christmas is done and gone and the beginning of the new year is just around the corner.  I think it's this time every year that really gets me thinking about how I spent the past 365 days and what things I would like to do differently in the next year.  I know I made some goals for 2013 a year ago and I ok at reaching them but didn't make as much progress as I would have liked.  Here were my goals from last year:

MENTALLY:  

I would like to focus on who God says I am.  And believe it.  No more negative self-talk!
I think I really am getting better at this.  I have moment where I find myself being negative but I am definitely getting better at accepting who I am. 

PHYSICALLY:  

When discussing with hubby what weight he thinks I would look awesome at, he said 150.  So that's my goal....reach 150 lbs.  The last time I weighed that I was probably in college, so it would be rockin' awesome to weigh that again.  Once I reach that weight I will see if I need/want to lose more or stay at that weight.
Still haven't met this one yet, HOWEVER I did make it to the 160's for the first time in a LONG time so I will say that I am making progress!

SPIRITUALLY:  

I'm ready to commit to, and execute, a habit of morning devotion times.  Life is hard when you don't routinely plug in to the One who created you!  I don't like feeling disconnected.

I have actually started doing this one!  I am not super-consistent, but manage about 3- 4 days a week which Is good compared to 0!
 

FINANCIALLY:  

Build up our savings enough so we have 3-6 months of living expenses in there.

A few things have interfered with reaching this goal...we bought a van in the spring of last year and we now are working to pay it off with monthly payments. My husband also took a different job and a slight cut in pay so it has been harder to save. 
 

HOMEMAKING:  

GOAL #1:  Declutter and organize our entire house.  We have way too much stuff...and no place to put it, so it's time to pare down!  The thought of a clutter-free home makes me giddy!
I have started this process but am nowhere near close to completely it.  The thought still makes me giddy though!

GOAL #2:  Try 52 new recipes in hopes of finding some new favorites!  This amounts to 1 per week, but I'm not going to be that structured with it.
I lost track of just how many recipes I tried but I probably did meet this goal.  I tried a lot of new ones...especially those from the THM book..it just got to be too much to post each and every one.  And once our computer died I gave up on posting any.

FAMILY:  

GOAL #1:  Start implementing the MoneySmart system and teach my kids about responsibility and money.
Did not meet this one.  I still would like to implement this one, however with our income being cut down some I need to work out a budget first and see if this will work. 

GOAL #2:  Play with my kids more.

I have played with my kids more, but probably still have room for improvement.
 

ATHLETICALLY:  

Run at least 1 half marathon and PR.
I did run a half marathon, but did not PR...in fact I had my worst race ever.  This has discouraged me from doing any more for awhile!

MARRIAGE:  

Really focus on showing love and respect to my husband through my words & actions

I have tried to focus on this as much as I can and I can really see that our marriage is really growing and maturing.
 

FRIENDSHIPS:  

Plan a Girl's Night Out at least 4 times this year.
Hmm...not sure if this one was met or not.  I don't think it did.  Things got really busy in the spring with work and honestly I forgot about it. :(

Next Up:  My 2014 Goals!!

 

Tuesday Recap

Well, I fell off the wagon...again.  But I knew I would because I was going to be away from home today shopping.  Nonetheless I am down to 178 this morning, so down 1.2 lbs from Monday. 

Breakfast - THM pancakes with caramel sauce (this sauce is my FAVE right now!)

Early Lunch - Trail bologna and Swiss cheese

Early Dinner - Subway's cold cut combo on flatbread with lots of veggies and sweet onion sauce. (6") 1/2 a cupcake (I have been wanting to try one from a local shop but it's always sold out so when I saw it was open, I caved in a moment of weakness)  Honestly, it wasn't even that good so I won't be going back there.  Then End.  1 HUGE (I'm not gonna lie) M & M cookie from Bob Evans.  I will be honest, it was good and totally unexpected because I got them for free when I bought my FIL's gift card for Christmas. 

Snack - Off-plan...again.  I ate some cheddar chex mix.  I probably could have eaten more, but I just told myself to go to bed because I had been bad. ..so I did!

On a good note, I bought myself a new pillow because mine were feeling kind of flat and I haven't been sleeping well, and it make a huge difference!  I slept well!  And thankfully so because I have a busy rest of the week...and a busy day today!

 Happy Wednesday!