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My 2011 Resolutions/Goals/Habits

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Achieving goals and avoiding bunny trails.

I use to not like to set goals, because so often I didn't achieve them and it made me feel like a failure. As I've gotten older, I've realized that by setting goals I get closer to it then I would have if I hadn't set any. So I'm OK now with setting goals and not making it or only getting part way, because part way is better than getting no where. I actually met one of my goals for 2010, by making Giant Squid. So what now? This will be a good exercise to make some measurable goals and keep things focused, so I'm not spending so much time hopping down bunny trails.

Creative Commons Photo
by dowcet / Brian Z

A New Years Resolutions?

Perhaps Better, a New Years Goal or Habit.

In preparation for my newsletter, I read an article about New Years Resolutions and why they aren't successful. Unfortunately I didn't save the link, so I'll have to share from memory. One of the reasons is that they are too vague. Most people have at one time or another vowed to loose weight but they seldom do. Even if they get more specific like 10 lbs by Mar. without a doable plan they won't succeed. More importantly without changing habits even if the weight is lost it often finds it way back on before the end of the year. So as I set these goals for 2011, I will start with the vague, and then list the habits I'll attempt to instill which will hopefully achieve the goal.

Creative Commons Photo by Lynne Kirton

Lose Weight

Who doesn't want to lose weight. I'll pull a number out of my head, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think its something like in the 70 percentiles of the U.S. population is overweight, including me. I'm not quite a Biggest Loser candidate, being under 200 lbs, but at 5'3.5" and over 150 lbs. it's beginning to cause health issues. My blood sugar is borderline diabetic, and my cholesterol is going up. The later has been a little high for a long time, but since I have a thyroid issue and it was stable I didn't worry. My endocrinologist wants me to take cholesterol meds and I don't want to, so that means lose some weight. I've been trying for a couple of years and have managed to maintain, but not lose. Below are the habits I'll be working on to achieve that goal.

Aug 3 checking in. I've been reading and applying a book, The Amen Solution with encouraging results. I wrote a lens about it, you'll find a link to it below after the Perricone Book.

Creative Commons Photo by DL

Exercise

1/3 of the weight loss equation

I've been seeing a trainer for a little over three months. But I'm using gift money, so in an effort to make it last as long as possible it's only for a ½ and hour once a week. That means I need to do the things she's showing me the other days of the week. So far I manage about one other day a week doing her exercises and another day a week of at least a good brisk walk. I've been shooting for 3 days a week of exercise, but since I'm over 50, sit a lot and like to eat I'm going to need to step it up. So my goal is some form of exercise for at least 15 min, preferably 30 min, five days a week.

Jan. 24th checking in. I did good with this the week I wrote it but have slacked off since then. I'm only getting in about three days a week, so I'll need to work harder on this.

May 10th checking in. I have a shoulder problem that I'm dealing with, so I have stopped the trainer, until the shoulder is better, so and can get the most out of my training $. I'm still active at least 3 days a week, the gym once or twice a week and walks with my husband 2-3 times a week.

Aug 3rd checking in. I haven't been going to the gym as much lately, but walk with my husband most days. I found out about a class at the gym and went once. I liked it but it may be a few weeks before I can get that into a regular schedule. So good that I exercise in some way 4-6 days a week. Hoping to make the gym more often.

Dec 27th checking in. I did better on this goal at the beginning of the year then at the end. Grief & depression and end of the year business have all played a part. This will be something I need to continue to work on in 2012.

Creative Commons Photo by Staff Sgt Araceli Alarcon

Jorge Cruise

I read this author's books and implemented them.

Once I added the accountability partner they worked, until I stopped to the morning exercise and stopped checking in with my partners.

The 8 Minutes in the Morning for Real Shapes, Real Sizes: was written especially for plus-size men and women who want to lose 30 or more pounds and get healthy. Other fitness plans can seem overwhelming and intimidating, but Jorge's program is custom-designed to motivate, support, and inspire

The Belly Fat Cure: is the latest craze in the diet world. Haven't really read much but it sound interesting.
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Eat More Fruits & Vegetables

2/3 of the Weight Loss Equation

My trainer says that exercise is only about 30% of the equation, and that my diet is the rest. My main problem in sugar and grazing. A few years ago, I was trying to eat more colorful foods and super foods. This included lots of fruits and especially vegetables. I was reminded of this when I was working on my most recent newsletter. I also learned during my research, that two apples a day would help lower cholesterol. I was also imputing my food ie. counting calories for a while which helped and my trainer wants me to do it.
Since I have an appointment coming up which involves blood work, I'm going to give the apples a try.

Jan. Eat two apples a day & input calories 3 days a week.

Apples
Jan. 24 checking in. Since I wrote this lens the week of Jan. 9th, I've eaten at least an apple a day except for about three days. Some days I have two. We'll see how it affects my cholesterol an weight in a few weeks when I go for my 6 month visit.

Input Calories
Jan. 24 checking in. This one is severely lacking, I think I've only input twice since the 9th. need to get on the stick with this one.

May 10 checking in. I did good with the apples until Feb., but when my blood work results didn't come out as I was hoping they would I fell off the apple wagon. Recently I pulled out the Bullet blender that i bought over a year ago and made room for it on the counter. I have made three smoothies in it an am hoping tit.s will help me with this goal. On the plus side I have lost weight since my last post.

Aug. 3rd checking in. I've been eating protein or oatmeal for breakfast. I've also been eating more protein thru the day and being diligent about taking my supplements. You can read more about this in my lens The Amen Solution, you'll find the link below Perricone.

Dec 27th checking in. Just like my exercise goal, this one hasn't been doing so good. Sugar is always a problem for me especially at this time of year. Even though my eating may not be the best right now I think my portions have been pretty good. Once the sweets are gone, I should be able to drop the two lb. gained over the past month.

This Is The One I Put On My Counter

My Daughter Likes It To

This sat in my garage for over a year and I finally made room for it on my counter. Its only been their a short time but we've already made several drinks in it. What I really like about it is the individual mugs so you can make just enough for one. It's also really, really, easy to clean unlike my other blender.
Magic Bullet MBR-1701 17-Piece Express Mixing Set

Magic Bullet MBR-1701 17-Piece Express Mixing Set

Amazon Price: $52.00 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

The Perricone Perscription

by Nicolas Perricone

I read this book several years ago. I was the first one I read that talked about eating colorful and super foods.
The Perricone Prescription: A Physician's 28-Day Program for Total Body and Face Rejuvenation

The Perricone Prescription: A Physician's 28-Day Program for Total Body and Face Rejuvenation

by: Nicholas Perricone

Amazon Price: $3.86 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

Perricone (The Wrinkle Cure), a professor of dermatology at Yale Medical School, believes that relatively simple changes in eating can effect dramatic changes in physical appearance and well-being. He has created a month-long program broken up into daily menus as well as a more restrictive three-day regimen designed to produce immediate results.

The Amen Solution

Giving me success :)

Since starting to read this 3 months ago, I've lost about 4 pounds, which may not seem like much. However, I find it very encouraging, because its just been the result of implement very little of the book. Also, when it does swing up after a bad day its only .5 to 1 pound instead of 2 and it quickly goes back down. Woohooo! I'm am now going back with my own copy and am going to try and implement more of it. I'm excited to see what will happen.
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Declutter Home

Five items at a time.

I am a third generation pack rat and a piler. Using the DISC personality profile I have high "I" traits especially in the area of creative ideas. Problem is follow through is not so good. In other words I'm good at starting a lot of things, but not finishing them.

I've been wanting new carpet for a few years now in order to get it I'll need to move all my furniture out of the living room. So my goal is to clean all the piles off the living room floor and clean my desk by June. Currently I'm working on an area in my bedroom by dealing with 5 items a day. It's taken a month, but I'm almost to the bottom. I think I'll try this approach in the LR.

Jan. 24th checking in. Have fallen off the wagon on this one the to get back on track.

Here's the piles broken into areas check back to see my progress
Pile in front of the dresser.
Pile under the calendar.
Piles in front of the book case
Desk center
Desk left - May - Currently working on this one.
Desk right
Desk hutch

Checking in May 10 Well, this one seems to be the most behind goal but I'm still working on it although not the way I started. I've made progress in two areas.

Dec 27th checking in. Well this one is a mixed bag, but I'll call this one done. I didn't get all the piles addressed, they are in bags in another room. I did however, get the new carpet. It only took 3 years to do it. As a result the desk is gone and I have two new pieces of furniture. I'm still working on changing this around in my living room to suit our current needs.

Creative Commons Photo by sindesign

Flylady

Flylady.net

You can find the information in this book throughout her website. This was written for those without access to the internet. I got her daily emails for a long time. I have yet to reach my goal in this area, but I have made progress.
Sink Reflections

Sink Reflections

by: Marla Cilley

Amazon Price: $7.24 (as of 06/03/2012)Buy Now

In her debut book, Cilley, a.k.a. "The FlyLady" to the thousands who log onto her FlyLady.net Web site, reaches into the everywoman's home to help make her housecleaning more fun and her life more organized. Beginning with "Shiny Sink 101," Cilley explains how a spotless kitchen sink can direct even the most discouraged housekeeper onto the path of well-ordered domesticity.

Make Money Online

In 2010 I graduated my youngest from High School, we homeschooled the whole way through. I would like to be able to get a house, but our income isn't sufficient. I manage the apartments we live in, which is equivalent to our rent. In order for us to be able to get a house I need to earn a house payment on top of my managing job. This would mean getting a job in the evenings, or what I'm attempting to do by earning an income online.

Creative Commons Photo by Svilen.milev

My Own Ventures

& Offline Biz

My Own

Besides Squidoo, I would like to set up a membership site and write an ebook. I also need to revamp my main web site which we've had for years. In the past it was mainly for used curriculum sales. Now, in addition to that I want to make it a wordpress blog, and a hub for all my online ventures.

Offline

Utilize my membership to Offline Biz by reading through the information and applying it to help friends and other small businesses.

Creative Commons Photo
by Celeste Hutchins

Tasks for Business Goals

Determine daily tasks for a VA
Prep materials for VA
Pick a wp theme
Hire a VA
Do research for membership site
Write questions for ebook
Contact veteran Homeschool moms & ask questions for ebook

The list could go on but I'll stop here.

Jan. 24th Can't check any
May 10th Most of this list has been

Can You Help,

With business habits that will help me reach my goals?

So I have tasks, but unlike the other goals mentioned, I'm not sure about a habit I could implement that would help me reach the goals. If you have any suggestions, I'm interested.

1

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Write Tomorrow's "To Do List" at the end of each day

. . . and work it the next day. - advice from Mike more...0 points

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Consistency: Actionable Steps

Try to be consistent on a regular basis. Breakdown more...0 points

Summary Of My 5 Goals

Exercise 5 days a week
Eat more fruits & veggies daily
Declutter my LR 5 items at a time
Get my own business projects done
Help friends & local business with their online presence

Personal Goal Setting
A useful way of making goals more powerful is to use the SMART mnemonic. While there are plenty of variants (some of which we've included in parenthesis), SMART usually stands for:

* S - Specific (or Significant).
* M - Measurable (or Meaningful).
* A - Attainable (or Action-Oriented).
* R - Relevant (or Rewarding).
* T - Time-bound (or Trackable).

Do You Make New Years Resolutions,

Or Set Goals?

Thanks for stopping by. Let me know you were here.

  • Susan52 Dec 27, 2011 @ 5:10 pm | delete
    I'm working on goals and a plan for 2012. Thanks for sharing yours - this has been very helpful!
  • bygproductions Dec 28, 2011 @ 1:29 pm | delete
    You're welcome, glad I could be of service, and thanks for the Angel Blessing.
  • bygproductions Dec 27, 2011 @ 1:34 pm | delete
    Well the year is almost done and I've added updates. This was a good project lens, I think I'll do it again in 2012. Checking back and adding updates helps me focus.
  • bygproductions May 10, 2011 @ 9:05 pm | delete
    I came today to add updates and was somewhat encouraged. While I still need to work on the first two, I am losing weight which is one of the desired results. The third goal is way behind but moving in the right directions. I have one of my own business projects done, that being my website bygproductions.com and I'm reaching out to other business to see if I can help them.
  • joanv334 Jan 29, 2011 @ 8:28 pm | delete
    Hello, nice to meet you!
  • bygproductions Feb 1, 2011 @ 12:51 am | delete
    Thanks Joan, nice to meet you too.
  • awelldressedbullet Jan 28, 2011 @ 6:53 pm | delete
    Congratulations on being featured by the SquidTeam's Best of Standout RocketMoms
  • bygproductions Feb 1, 2011 @ 12:40 am | delete
    Thanks!
  • bygproductions Jan 24, 2011 @ 5:36 pm | delete
    Reviewed everything today. I'm doing pretty good with the apples eating at least one a day sometimes two. Working on the business list too. Need to work harder on the exercise and get back to the 5 a day approach to the clutter spots.
  • sheilamarie Jan 18, 2011 @ 11:36 pm | delete
    Good luck on achieving these goals, byg! They are worth working on. I share the declutter and exercise ones especially.
  • bygproductions Jan 23, 2011 @ 9:16 pm | delete
    Thanks Sheilamarie, hope you are successful too.
  • ajgodinho Jan 18, 2011 @ 3:40 pm | delete
    I don't really make any New Year's resolutions, but I set goals all the time. Having worked most of my adult life in the corporate world, I'm used to setting and achieving goals. I have set 2011 goals for my self and have created a lens on it. Glad to see that you've set yourself goals and I wish you all the best as you work towards them! :)
  • bygproductions Jan 18, 2011 @ 3:56 pm | delete
    Thanks.
  • vikksimmons Jan 16, 2011 @ 12:52 pm | delete
    Uh, there's something a little too familiar about that photo with the books and stuff....Nice job.
  • bygproductions Jan 17, 2011 @ 10:05 pm | delete
    That's why I choose that pic, not my desk, but could be. Thanks!
  • jmsp206 Jan 15, 2011 @ 10:13 pm | delete
    I have some of the same goals as you,keeping fit.I like goals more than resolutions,they are more acheivable.Great lens.
  • bygproductions Jan 16, 2011 @ 12:59 am | delete
    Thanks, hope you are successful with yours too.
  • ElleDeeEsse Jan 15, 2011 @ 3:08 pm | delete
    I like your approach to goal setting which are almost identical to mine
  • bygproductions Jan 16, 2011 @ 12:58 am | delete
    Guess there universal issues, especially for creative minds.
  • wordstock Jan 15, 2011 @ 1:49 pm | delete
    I like the specific declutter details that maybe I should consider. Great tips!
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bygproductions

You don't shoot an arrow and then paint a bulls eye around it. Goals give us something to aim at.
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