So, it's New Year's Eve Eve and I'm ahead of myself here. I mean, normally, I'm at least a day or two into the new year before I sit down and type out what my goals are for the year. I'm good at procrastinating. I've almost got it down to an art form. I think I remember a quote - which I'm about to completely jack up - that says something like "When I wait until the last minute to do something, it's amazing what I can do in that minute".
The last little while - since the Friday after Thanksgiving - I can actually remember the moment - I've been thinking about my "temple", aka, my body. I decided to look up the actual definition of the word "temple" and here are the ones I like the best:
1. Something regarded as having a divine presence dwelling within it
2. A building reserved for a highly valued function
Yep, I think those pretty much describe me. Conceited? Maybe. However, there is even a scripture in the Bible which talks about how our body is a temple - 1 Corinthians 6:19.
Well, let's take a moment to be real honest here, if my body is my temple - Sweet Lord, I've done an amazing job at making excuses for neglecting it. For once, I'm not just talking about diet and exercise - I'm talking about in all kinds of ways. I cancelled my dentist appointment five times this past year. I wouldn't dream of missing my yearly exam, but cancelling on the dentist has happened more times than I care to admit. I am not in a good routine with my skin care. So far, I've been blessed with nice skin, but I need to start taking care of what I've been given. Oh goodness, do we even need to talk about my sleeping patterns? Or should I say - my lack of sleeping patterns? That's probably more like it.
Soooooo, that being said. 2012 is the year I am going to focus on my temple. I am actually going to set weight loss and size goals - and I am going to meet them. After all, I ran a flipping half marathon in 2011. I can set some goals for myself for goodness sakes. I asked myself this a little while ago, but the question is "Why was it easier for me to set and achieve the goal of a half marathon than it is for me to put down on paper that I am going to drop 5 pounds?". You know why that was? Well, I figured out two reasons - 1. I was doing that for my friend. 2. I made an Excel spreadsheet with mini goals on it and I achieved those goals. Well, come on Excel spreadsheet. I made myself a spreadsheet with weight loss goals on it.
Weight Loss Goal #1 - Down 25 pounds by my birthday (April 18th). I'm already down about 4 of those pounds.
Weight Loss Goal #2 - Down 25 more pounds by the end of the year. Total of 50 pounds for the year - or 42 pounds left - which is less than a pound a week.
Now, before y'all get all "You should focus on how your clothes feel", let me just say - I can make my jeans feel baggier the more I wear them without drying them. Just throwing that out there. ha ha! I do not need to give myself that excuse as to why the scale isn't going down. I need to see results in both areas - and I will accomplish that in a healthy way.
Skin Care Goal #1 - I will make sure to wash, moisturize, and revitalize my face and take care of what I have been given.
I will stick to a skin care routine. As a matter of fact, I went and dropped money on some (supposedly) good products yesterday and have washed and moisturized my face twice since then. Why do I not have a good skin care routine already? I have no clue, but those days are behind me.
Exercise Goal #1 - I will put my exercise spreadsheet back on the fridge, and stay on it.
This year, I am focusing less on a distance goal, and more on the consistency goal. Five days a week, two rest days. Will I miss a day here and there? Yeah, probably, but the point is to keep at it. To beat the treadmill more days than it beats me. To own where I am today and have a plan for where I want to be.
Sleep (Relaxation) Goal #1 - Okay, so this one is just to get more sleep.
Sleep (Relaxation) Goal #2 - I will gift myself with at least two massages next year.
I'm not very sure how I can accomplish the sleeping goal, but I can tell you how I am going to start. I am going to buy myself a new bed. When I went to Disney and slept better on a hotel bed than my own, I realized, yeah, it's time to get on with the new bed. I want a king sized bed (yes, I know it's just me, but I won't justify buying another one for a long time, so king sized it is), and I will invest in good linens. I love my sheets now and will look for some just like them. I'm thinking new pillows are on the horizon, too. If y'all have any suggestions on good beds, please feel free to pass them on. JD has a super comfy bed, so I might be looking for one like that. I'm also going to get consistent about a bedtime routine. Which means, a regular bed time and no staying up late reading or watching crap on TV in bed.
Dentist Goal #1 - I will make and KEEP both my dentist appointments this year. Honestly, it's a bit ridiculous that I cancel. I'm going to try a new dentist and hopefully will love him.
Last, but not least:
Vanity Goals - That's right - I said "vanity" goals. ha ha! Although, these goals are not super important, like it or not, how we look is important. For me, at least, when I leave the house looking bad, it kind of sets the tone. No, I am not afraid to go out without my make-up - that is not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about looking on the outside the way I feel about myself on the inside - put together and confident. Now, will y'all see me in WalMart wearing yoga pants, my Smith & Wesson sweatshirt, with my hair in a pony tail, and flip flops on my feet. Yeah, I'm sure you will. However, I will make an effort to get my hair done more than twice next year (at least 3-4 times), wear clothes that flatter me on a regular basis, pluck or wax my brows, and generally put more of an effort into my appearance.
I fully believe that these goals are not just important for me, but for JD as well. After all, he learns how to take care of himself the way his family takes care of themselves. Each time I make the decision to pick up pizza for dinner because I'm "too tired" to make a healthy choice, that is a decision that impacts him, too. Each time I choose to sit on the couch instead of exercising, that teaches him that exercise is not important. Every time I neglect my health - for whatever excuses I can come up with - I am passing those things onto my child. As parents, we aren't just tasked with teaching our children to read, write, be good citizens, etc, but we are also tasked with teaching our children how to be healthy. Like JD's dad said not too long ago - like it or not, JD has parents who will always have to watch what they eat, and how they exercise. However, by passing along healthy habits to my child, I am hoping that he never has to be on a "diet", but that healthy living will be a lifestyle for him.
So, there you go. Those are some pretty specific goals for 2012. It's time to live with intention.
This is a beautiful life.
