2011 Goals

If you know me you know I like the word goals better than resolutions.

Goals
1. The purpose toward which an endeavor is directed; an objective.

2. A specified structure or zone into or over which players endeavor to advance a ball or puck.
3. The score awarded for such an act.
4. A noun or noun phrase referring to the place to which something moves.
5. The terminal point of a journey or race.

Resolutions
1. The state or quality of being resolute; firm determination.

2. A resolving to do something.
3. A course of action determined or decided on.
4. A formal statement of a decision or expression of opinion put before or adopted by an assembly such as the U.S. Congress.
5. The act or process of separating or reducing something into its constituent parts: the prismatic resolution of sunlight into its spectral colors.
6. The fineness of detail that can be distinguished in an image, as on a video display terminal.
7. The subsiding or termination of an abnormal condition, such as a fever or an inflammation.
8. A court decision.
9. An explanation, as of a problem or puzzle; a solution.
10. The part of a literary work in which the complications of the plot are resolved or simplified.
11. The progression of a dissonant tone or chord to a consonant tone or chord.
12. The tone or chord to which such a progression is made.
13. The substitution of one metrical unit for another, especially the substitution of two short syllables for one long syllable in quantitative verse.


Goals are attainable . . . every step of the way.  Resolutions are not achieved until the completion.  I want rewarded (praised, hugged, "me time," ice cream, etc.) for each step, for the ambition, for the effort, for the time, for the conviction, for the destination.  If I have these, the hope to meet my goal has a much greater chance of succeeding.
 
Cameron's Goals"
1. To be more mature.
2. To stop lying.
 
Cassandra's Goals:
1. To play the trumpet in public for others to enjoy at no cost.
2. To lessen the exaggeration, the embellishing of stories.
 
Storm's Goals:
To continue my success, my goals are pretty much the same.  My emphasis, however, this year is:
1. To trust in God more.
2. Join Ali Edwards in selecting and living by one word.
3. To swear less.  When I get stressed or truly frustrated, I swear.  My kids hate it.  My boyfriend hates it.  I don't really like it.  Though, it's a great stress-reliever at times.  The agreement is I will pay 25 cents for each time I swear.


 
 

Mommy Don't Drink

I have some unfortunate news, I lost a close friend today. We have been through a lot and we have had some good times and some bad times. I am sure we could have had many more good times, but my friend and I just aren’t good for each other. My friend's name is Mt. Dew. Yes, I am an ex now. I know Mt. Dew is bad for you with all the caffeine, sugar, and preservatives. Now it is getting expensive, but it tastes so darn good. The cold, the flavor, mmmmm, the first taste out of the can is so fantastic. The flavor goes with any meal, any snack, and its good all by itself. It gets me through the day, especially the tense, hectic, stressful days. Mt. Dew is enjoyable to have around but it is regrettable that he gives you things like high blood pressure, diabetes, tooth decay, and heart problems.

In the end it is probably good that Mt. Dew and I are no longer friends, but I am going to sorely miss him. Now I am an ex Mt. Dew drinker who wishes she was still a Mt. Dew drinker.

I am human and I have a rational side (sometimes) and my rational side will prevail (I hope). I know down the road I will be happy with this decision. I'll lose weight. I'll feel better physically and emotionally. I can stand proud and say, "I am an ex Mt. Dew drinker."

A Time for Reflection

Each new year is the perfect time to pause and reflect -- to think about what we have done in the past year and think about what we want to do in the next year. What are you satisfied with and what changes would you like to make? Do you have new goals for the new year?

There are many things to think about, and reflection deserves your precious time, especially if you want to set goals for the new year. Without a plan, life just happens to you.

Would you like to spend more time with your family or with your friends? Would you like to eat healthier and exercise more? Do you want to learn more? Do you want to break a bad habit? Do you want to become more organized? Is there some place you've always wanted to go? Are there relationships you need to nurture or mend? Is there something you've always wanted to do but have put it off? Decide the changes you want to make and write them down. You are more likely to accomplish them if you do! Make the most of your life so it is fulfilling and full of the things you want and care about most.

They say your thoughts become your words -- your words become your actions -- and your actions become your destiny. Take time to make your life all YOU want it to be!

The Overlooked Key to Achieving Your Resolutions

What kind of New Year's resolutions did you make this year? Did they involve improving your health, fitness, nutrition or related health habits? Every year, many of us start off with good intentions, only to find that "life" gets in the way. A couple of months along we find we are no closer to achieving what we started out to do.

It's easy to justify or excuse these "failures" in a variety of ways. Maybe it wasn't a high enough priority or we are just too busy and so forth. But there's one element in all of this that might be overlooked - genuine support and understanding by the people we care about. An important part of this relationship dynamic is that we feel the person or people closest to us have faith in our abilities to do what we set out to do.

Fitness trainers see this sort of thing a lot. A person comes for training, gets going well and then starts missing sessions. When the person is asked why, the answer is usually something like "I feel that I am taking too much time away from my family" or "my wife feels that we are not spending enough time together.” I once had a spouse of a client tell me right in front of the client that the client has started to get fit many times and failed and that now he doesn't believe she can do it! I felt the client's hurt and self doubt with that comment. Certainly, the comment does not encourage her success. That's really tough.

If you are having trouble keeping fitness resolutions (or any resolutions) year after year, take a look at your family and friends. Do you feel that they are they enthusiastically supporting your efforts and believe in your ability to accomplish what you start? If not, try to think of some ways to change this situation for the better. Here are some ideas:

Recruit a support group of people who can support and mentor you to help offset some of the difficulties and self doubt you are experiencing. Your supporters don't have to be fitness enthusiasts (although your trainer is a good place to start). They can be friends or colleagues whom you enjoy. Even better, talk to people who are accomplishing goals while experiencing resistance or lack of support by their loved ones.

Communicate, communicate, communicate, and communicate again!

It's up to you to find a way to communicate the importance of your goals to your family and friends emphasizing your need for them to support you.

Tell your loved ones how difficult this change is for you and how past failures affect your self confidence in this area... and that you need them to help you!

Ask for their suggestions on how you can meet their needs and also accomplish what you want to do.

Try to find out how they feel about what you are doing - if there are fears or insecurities involved. Sometimes there can be hidden agendas such as a spouse's fear that you getting fit will cause you to change in a negative way or a child who thinks you will spend less time with them. Then, with this knowledge, together, discuss ways to make sure everyone feels secure and happy with any changes in routines etc.

You will be amazed at how much cooperation and enthusiastic support you will receive, just by asking.

Have a wonderful year!

6 Reasons Resolutions Fail and How to Beat Them

Ever wonder why it's so hard to follow through with your best intentions for self-improvement? As you tie up your running shoes or prepare to step on the scale, consider these resolution roadblocks and some suggestions to overcome them.

Roadblock 1: Last-minute lists. People who make thought-out resolutions may have a higher success rate. Next year, don't wait until the ball drops to start setting your goals.

Roadblock 2: Extreme makeover. Striving for drastic changes can feel overwhelming and may even sabotage your best efforts. Instead, set a reasonable (realistically achievable) goal. And to get there, try making small (incremental) steps you can live with over the long haul.

Roadblock 3: Lack of support. Everyone can benefit from a coach--or at least a cheerleader--now and then. A little support can go a long way to boost your motivation and accountability. So share your goals, and recruit a friend to act as your personal coach. (Have you tried the "Personal Goals" area of www.EatBetterAmerica.com?)

Roadblock 4: Fear of failing. Join the crowd: Only 40% of us achieve and maintain their top resolution for a period of six months on their first try. Most people attempt a change multiple times before succeeding. (But who's counting?) So don't get discouraged--each day is a new opportunity to begin again.

Roadblock 5: Forgetting to celebrate along the way. It's important to track your progress--no matter how great or small. Write down your starting point, acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, and record how you cope with challenges along the way.

Roadblock 6: Neglecting your spirit. The majority of resolutions are aimed at changing a physical state or a behavior--for instance, quitting smoking, losing weight, or beginning an exercise program. But a positive mental outlook can help you succeed. At the end of each day, take time to remember your strengths and all that you have to be thankful for.