Setting Goals for the New Year (Dream Big!)

It is that time of year again. The time to look back and look forward. The time to take the past year and celebrate your highs and (hopefully) learn from your mistakes. To look at the brand new start right in front of us and make plans. Resolutions. Goals. Whatever you want to call them they have the same intention....to make the brand new year count for something. And who doesn't want the new year to count for something. There are a full 365 days ahead of us that are going to pass regardless of what we choose to do with them and we can either make them work for us or against us.

So here how I am going about setting goals for the new year.

First I am asking myself four questions. And they pretty much go hand in hand....My priorities are going to be defined by who I am and what I value. And what I value is going to be determined by what I am defined by but I am going to give it a shot. So here it goes....

Who am I?

This is a really hard question to answer. I used to answer it with my profession....I was a an English major, then a retail manager then a teacher. Now I am a mom. But there is so much more to this question than just what I do. I am stubborn. I am a perfectionist. I like to have fun if something isn't' fun I don't want to do it. I like pretty things....sparkly makeup, art, fancy shoes, sassy dresses and books. Lots and lots of books. Antique books especially. Empty walls are for bookshelves. I also love photography. I am a hard worker and loyal to a fault. So does all of that define who I am? I am sure there is more or maybe there should be less. Maybe the answer should be simpler. (So I am clearly still working on this one.)

What am I defined by?

(This is so much harder than I thought....) I am defined by the roles I have in life and the moral code by which I operate. I am a Christian. I teach a youth Bible study so that defines me. I am a high school cheerleading coach. I have high expectations for my kids and myself. I like pretty things so first impressions, the maintenance of my home and the way my house is kept is important to me. I want these things to be at their best. I want to give the best possible impression (although this doesn't' always happen, especially with a two year old running amuck. I would say my standards have dropped quite a bit!)

What do I value?

I value my family. My faith. My health. The health and wellness of all my loved ones. I value quality over quantity. I value education. I value my freedom (especially to read what I choose.)

What are my priorities (and in what order?)

Faith. Family and Friends. Health and wellness.


Making Specific Goals: 

Now for making specific goals. This is the method I am going to follow. Chalene Johnson (one of my
favorite trainers) always talks about making S.M.A.R.T. goals:

When you are making your goals they should follow this format. So saying you are going to get in shape doesn't work but saying you are going to lose 5 lbs a month for the next 6 months or that you will fit into your high school jeans by June (as long as that is realistic and attainable) would fit those parameters.

You may also want to give yourself a push goal which is the big picture goal....the one that will help you achieve all your other goals. So if your goal list for 2014 looks something like -- taking a vacation, moving into your dream home, taking your kids to Disney world, getting a new car etc. Then your push goal might be to get a promotion or make more sales so you can make all of those things happen (or something like that.)

Or if your goals include spending more time with your family, less time being distracted by technology, getting you and your family healthy, maybe your Push Goal is to find a different job that will allow you that freedom. You get the idea. The Push goal is the big scary goal that makes all of your priorities and values line up where you want them to be.

Set smaller specific goals:

Each month or week or day set small goals that will help you accomplish your bigger goals. Break it down. Make it smaller. Little steps add up to long distances and are much more attainable than big leaps. They may not seem like much alone but when you put them all together, that's where the magic happens.


So your big goal is to get healthy and lose 25 lbs by losing 5 lbs a month until June? Your weekly goals could be working out 5x a week, adding an extra mile to your run every other week or upping the weight you are able to lift. You can update these goals all the time to fit where you are and what you want to accomplish. They should be fluid, not written in stone.

These are the steps I am using to try to make the most of 2014.

Happy goal setting and Happy New Year!

Why I sucked it up and joined a challenge group (And now have to put my foot in my mouth)

What the heck is a challenge group?

Typically that is what I hear (peppered with a tone that reads "you are the mayor of crazytown") when I tell people what I have been up to and involved in the last two months. And a few months ago I would have been the one to roll my eyes and and mock the entire thing. Repeatedly. Because honestly, how are a group of strangers on the internet really going to help me? I have friends. I don't need pretend ones online. How in the hell would this give me any type of accountability or motivation?

But I had been watching some old friends on my Facebook feed talk about these groups and their successes and I reached a point where I figured I had nothing to lose (and yes, I was desperate.) I was working out and counting calories with no changes happening. I was frustrated and angry and decided to put my foot in my mouth when I found that I was indeed wrong about the entire thing.
(And I kept the fact that I joined group a secret for probably a month because I don't like to be wrong. Ever. Ask my husband.)

I sent an email to my friend Katy and asked her if she had any room left in a group she was starting. I didn't really know what I was getting into or what the rules were. Just that she was going to put me into a closed group on Facebook with a bunch of strangers. (And to be honest, I didn't even know what a closed group was. I kept checking my wall to make sure my group posts weren't there for all to see.)

So here are some basics:

A challenge group is a closed group on Facebook. It is either 30, 60 or 90 days. You commit to this group and in doing so commit to trying Shakeology, commit to checking in every day and in some groups commit to doing a fitness program or working out in some way.

When you check in every day you rate your day on 1-5 for your diet, your workout and a yes or no if you had your Shakeology that day.

Some groups are really specific, that all members are completing a certain program together (think Insanity) and are there to complain about Shawn T and pull each other through when you really just don't think you can look at his face anymore.

Some groups are only for clean eating and everyone shares recipes and tips and tricks.

Some groups are super flexible and allow you to do whatever workout you want as long as you workout.

They are all the same in that you participate, set some goals and make it happen.

There were some times I fell off the wagon. Where it would have been easier to quit and not workout and to eat some cake. (Yay cake!) But being in a group like this made me feel like I had to keep going. (Honestly, I probably wouldn't have finished Insanity if it wasn't for my group. After moving across the country and missing 5 days I was so ready to just throw in the towel. But I knew they would know if I quit.) And I enjoyed seeing what everyone was posting and what they were doing. And all the crazies working out 2 times a day made me want to push more.  I was not going to let some stranger get better results than I was. There were times that knowing I would have to post changed what I put in my mouth. If I had pizza for dinner it was totally going to make my food intake for the day go from a 5 to a 3. I know it sounds silly. I really thought so too until I was involved. I mean who would be the wiser if I lied. But if I lied, I would only be cheating myself. And haven't I done that enough already?


So my advice is to get over yourself and join a challenge group. What do you have to lose?





**I am ready to share the love and have new challenge groups starting all the time. Message me for details!