Happy New Years Eve!!!
This morning I have a plan to meet my friend at the gym to work out at 8:30a. It will make 61 days in a row that I have exercised…EVERYDAY without fail I have done at minimum of 20 minutes of exercise, often times doing more than that!
I set my first goal in November – saying I would do a minimum of 20 minutes of cardio everyday. Figuring out when to fit the exercise into my day proved hard, but with lots of support from my husband and my friends, I did it. One time I finished my 20 minutes around midnight! I then decided to keep the same goal for December. Although I had done the 30 days, it was not a habit yet – I was still having to think about it and I knew that opened me up for moving in the wrong direction. So my goal was everyday in December. However, I was allowed Christmas Day off with no regret. I ended up working out on Christmas Day, late in the evening, and I realized exercise was officially a habit.
It is time to set my January goal. There are still some days when I do not want to exercise, so I am going with the same plan – 20 minutes of cardio everyday in January. In addition, I am adding in more specific strength training goals and that 4 out of 7 days needs to be 30 minutes of cardio. And not wimpy cardio, but GO BIG or GO HOME cardio! (see my last post to understand what that is)
Today someone will ask me what my New Years Resolutions are. In 2010 I want to finally lose weight and I want to get back in shape. But as for an actual resolution for the year, committing myself to do something for one year, I am not doing that. I am looking at the year as 12 months, 12 sets of 30 days, b/c I can do anything for 30 days and I plan to set small sets of goals to help reach my bigger goal! I believe in the end that will help me see success!
BTW…if I had to set a New Years Resolution, it would probably be to be more diligent about taking time for myself, such as keeping hair appointments, doing a better job of removing toe nail polish if I cannot make it in for a pedicure, getting my eye brows done often…little things like that! I figure if I am working on making my body feel good, I may as well make it look good too! 
In closing…I would encourage you not to make huge lofty New Years Resolutions. Instead, look at what you want to accomplish and break it into small, achievable goals. Each little success gets your fired up and encouraged for the next one, knowing you can do it! Best to you in 2010!!!
Going Green Mom @ January 4, 2010 9:36 am
I am with you on the 12 sets of 30-day goals! I seem to do a LOT better with shorter timeframes. . .so count me in on sharing the journey with you.
I am also “in” on being more diligent about taking time for myself. I have recently come to realize (precipitated by a step on the scale — YIKES!) that not only do I not take time to “work out” but I also have a habit of cancelling appointments because I think my husband’s needs, my kids’ needs or other family obligations are “more important”. The thing about getting into that mentality is that then you start to see yourself as “less important” and that leads to being unhappy and, for me, that leads to being ineffective in all areas of my life. I may look like I have it altogether and can handle anything that comes my way and I do strive to put on that persona. . .but 2010 needs to be about being honest with myself that I am still important and loving myself or having my own needs does not equal not loving my family or not caring about their needs!
Thanks for your inspiration and great posts!!!