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An Update On My 2011 Goals

By on April 1, 2011

Check out my original post on my 2011 goals HERE.  Below is an update on my 2011 goals!

Goal #1 – Write, Write, Write.

I’ve made progress on this goal.  I’ve been blogging more often.  In a perfect world, though, I’d dedicate an hour or more each day to writing.

But there is something that no one tells you about writing.  It’s flippin’ hard.  For real.  Not so much the act of writing, but coming up with ideas and topics to dissect on paper is about the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to do.

Bloggers and writers – where do you find your inspiration?

Goal #2 – Find Balance.

I’m still struggling with this goal.  Finding balance is hard.  To me, finding balance means finding time to enjoy all the things you want to do with your life, while also leading a healthy lifestyle – if that makes sense.

I hardly ever go to bed at night feeling like I did everything I wanted to that day (things like write, pray, and sweat seem to top my list for things I wish I had more time for … hmmm).

Definitely a work in progress.

Goal #3 – Find a Routine.

Nope.  Hasn’t happened yet.  I blame the wedding.  Heh.  Poor wedding, always taking the blame.

The main thing that jacks up my routine is my sleep patterns.  I’ll do anything to get sleep up until the wedding and if that means screwing up my routine, so be it.

However, if you look at 2011 overall, my workout routine has been killer.  I have really been killing it at the gym (in comparison to last year, especially) this year even if I have had my ups and downs.

This could be the goal that I MOST want to accomplish, too.  I thrive on a routine and so does G.  Hopefully we can really set the tone for this after the wedding.

Goals #4 – Love, Love, Love.

I do feel that I’ve made some progress on this.  When my family member was sick earlier this year, I showed them more love.  One of my siblings had a little dilemma at college earlier this year and I helped them through it quite a bit … and every time I think of that, it seriously makes me smile.  Cool, huh?

After my bridal shower, I felt a lot of love.  And, of course, as the days tick by towards our wedding day, I feel more in love with G than ever.  Very exciting stuff.  (Get ready for some seriously gag-worthy, lovey-dovey posts in late-May, early-June!)

Goal #5 – Get Married!

Almost there … okay, not really.  It’s still 2 months away.  Hurry up, wedding day!

Goal #6 – Lose 10 Pounds.

I have made the most progress on this goal.  I have lost between 5-6 pounds.  I’m not sure if I’ll make it to the 10 pound mark before the wedding or not.  Either way, I’m very happy with the progress I’ve made.  Clean eats plus lots of gym time really do the trick!

Goal #7 – Financial Goals.

  1. Wedding budget – We’re on track.  Things are looking good.
  2. Combine finances – We’re in the process of doing this even though we’re not married quite yet.
  3. Start house-hunting – Slated for December 2011.
  4. Make more side-income – I’ve been working on it.  ;)
  5. Start a dog-fund – After the wedding.

How are your 2011 goals coming along?  Any questions about mine?

Categories: Goals, Self-Improvement6 Comments

Putting an End to Negative Thinking

By on March 9, 2011

saying no to Negative Thinking

Remember how I mentioned I am making a second sacrifice for Lent?  My first sacrifice – giving up sugar – is half superficial (for my appearance) and half healthy (sugar is bad for you), so I figured I needed to give up something else – something that was good for my soul.  My second sacrifice for Lent is giving up negative thinking.

I’m not really a negative person, but I have noticed a shift in my thinking over the past couple of years and I think it has something to do with the stress of jumping from the CPA right into wedding planning.  Or maybe I’m just becoming a cynical old lady?  ;)

I am a nice person.  I used to even consider myself optimistic.  But lately, I have noticed myself picking out the negatives in every situation: at work, at home, during my commute, at the gym, during wedding planning, etc.

Jeff_Gaylord_in_Zubaz_PantsIt’s little things, too.  I’ll get annoyed at every driver on my way to work and that sets a negative tone for the day.  I’ll get annoyed at home because I’m running behind.  I get frustrated at work when someone isn’t doing their part.  I’ll get irritated at the gym if someone is wearing an outfit that has been out of date since the ‘80s or ‘90s (zubaz pants anyone?!).

It’s okay to think that an outfit similar to the one at the right is funny, but it’s a little ridiculous when it really annoys me.  I don’t think something so minor, so unimportant should be enough to irritate me (although, seriously, time to get out of the ‘90s people … okay, that was my last negative thought about zubaz pants).

I understand it’s okay to get frustrated by co-workers or by running late, but I don’t want it to take over my life or my days.  I do not want to turn into Debby Downer.

I’ve been trying to think of some good ground rules for this sacrifice.  Obviously, I’m going to think negatively about some things, but I want to get back to my normal, positive, optimistic self.  I need to find a good balance.

Instead of having set rules for this sacrifice, I’m just going to make a conscious effort for 40 days to look at the bright side. 

So a dude at the gym wears zubaz pants.  Who cares!  It’s nothing to get all worked up over.  It’s okay to mention it to my girlfriends and laugh about it, but I don’t want to get mad about it.  That is seriously just silly.

I don’t want to get so frustrated on my morning commute that it carries over into my morning meetings.  Maybe I’ll spend some time in the slow lane this month and just coast along to work instead of fighting my way down the highway and getting annoyed at every car that cuts me off.

I don’t want running late to put me in a bad mood for even 5 minutes.  Every minute is precious!  I don’t want to waste it being all annoyed that my schedule is 5 minutes off.  The schedule will work itself out, it always does (see, look at that, already looking at the bright side).

Worry is another part of this, too.  I’ve been genetically engineered by my sweet mother to be a worrier.  But worrying easily translates to negative thoughts and energy!  Although I don’t think I can conquer my worry wart nature in 40 days (that will take a lifetime), I do think it will be part of my conscious effort to end negative thinking.  If I nix my negative thinking, that should stomp out some worries.

People would probably even be surprised if I told them this is what I am giving up for Lent.  My negative thoughts are pretty much never about myself.  Most of my negative thoughts (and I think this might be true for others) are caused by obstacles and problems that get in the way of our daily lives.  For me, worry and stress (and zubaz pants) are the cause of those little negative thoughts that infect my day.

Here’s to 40 days of positivity!  Watch out everyone, I’m going to leave ridiculously positive comments and tweets all over this fair Internet of ours.  Get excited!  (<—-positivity)

Are you a positive or a negative person?  What are your tips for being positive and looking at the bright side?

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Categories: Happiness, Life, Self-Improvement16 Comments

Giving Up Sugar

By on March 7, 2011

sugarThis week marks the beginning of Lent – a 40-day period where many Catholics “give up” things as sacrifices.   (Last year, I gave up Facebook and it was awesome.)  This year I’ve decided to give up two things.  The first thing I plan to give up is good ‘ole refined sugar (I’ll tell you about the second later this week).  Sugar may be delicious, but it’s one of the worst things you can put into your body.  It offers no nutritional value, is addictive, and can create a whole host of health problems.

The health dangers of sugar are numerous (read here for a list – EW), but I’m giving up sugar for a couple main reasons:

  1. I feel better.  No highs and lows from sugar crashes.
  2. My skin is beautiful.  When I lay off the sugar, my skin glows and glows and glows.  It’s crazy, but it really works!
  3. Sugar promotes weight gain.  Nobody likes that.
  4. It’s addictive!  Try avoiding sugar for a couple days … chances are you’ll get a headache or become irritable.

Of course, some sugar is good for you.  I’ll never give up natural sugar like you find in fruits (….. translation: wine) or vegetables.

Things like cookies, donuts, cake, ice cream, candy, chocolate, pastries, frozen yogurt (what a bummer) and the like are all off limits for 40 days (starting Wednesday).  I’ve generally been avoiding these things to get in shape for the wedding, but I do cheat and splurge on sugary foods sometimes.  Not gonna happen during Lent.

What about “fake” sugars?  I know the whole fake sugars debate is controversial, but here’s my take on it: it’s okay in moderation and if you opt for the natural sugars.  I usually try to use stevia or a derivative of stevia, since it’s supposed to be the best fake sugar out there.  I also don’t have any side effects from stevia like those that I listed above (mood, weight, addictiveness, etc.).  For now, I’m only sacrificing refined, white sugar.

(Try my favorite all natural sweetener, Steviva.  No chemicals, all natural, no calories.  Tastes AWESOME!)

I think a diet low in refined sugar is part of a well-balanced, good-for-you diet, anyway.  G and I don’t have any sugars in the house.  The only time we have them is at parties or when we’re out to dinner, so we don’t eat too much of anyway.  But we do like to enjoy dessert sometimes on the weekends when we’re out to dinner.  I always look forward to that, so this Lenten sacrifice will serve it’s purpose of withholding something that I enjoy.  (Stay tuned for my other sacrifice later this week … it’s more of a good-for-the-soul sacrifice.)

Do you eat, avoid, or limit refined sugars in your diet?

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Categories: Health, Self-Improvement15 Comments