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2013: Goal Update – May Edition

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2013: Goal Update

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Angie Torres)

As we are almost 6 months into 2013, I need to record a goal update to keep me accountable for the goals I have set. Last year, I wrote a monthly goal update post as I was following Crystal Paine’s book. Without that need for monthly accountability, I forget to schedule a post each month.

Though I may not write a formal post, I do update the status on Using Time Wisely’s Facebook page with my physical goals. In focusing on a healthy journey, I use the power of social media to keep me accountable.

Just knowing that I will post how I did for the day is enough to keep me on track. I would love to have you post along with me your successes and failures to getting or staying healthy.

For 2013, I made these written goals, and though this is the first update, my progress is as follows:

Tracy’s Physical Goals

1. Drink 64 oz. of water per day. Excellent! With only one day where I drank 32 oz. of water due to a stomach virus, I have consistently drunk at least 64 oz. of water each day of 2013. I still love an occasional diet coke and glass of sweet tea.

As a reward, I keep a glass of sweet tea in the refrigerator. When I need a sip of something other than water, I go to my tea. This reward is enough to satisfy my want without ruining the day.

2. Exercise for 20 minutes at least 5 times a week. Another successful report as I work to stay active. I have had 2 bad weeks. The first was when I injured my knee, needed x-rays, and under my doctor’s order to rest.

The second week was last week – namely, the last week of school. I was on the go from morning ’til night with breakfast gatherings, lunch appointments, dinner engagements, and a packed schedule. Though I did not formally exercise, I was on the move, and am finding a new routine for the summer.

Tracy’s Family Goals

1. Plan at least one family outing/activity each week. Our family activities are quite fun. From dinners together, family walks, attending events at the science center, or celebrating holidays, we have enjoyed at least one family outing each week.

My hardest obstacle is working with my children to be thankful for what we do. For example, when we take a walk, they then want to ride their bikes or visit a friend. Being content with what they get is still a struggle which sometimes makes these events tiring.

2. Spend 10 minutes with each child each day. Somehow spending one-on-one time with them doing homework is not the goal I had in mind. With soccer season and a busy school schedule, I was fortunate to get that time with my son this spring.

Though I spend time with them, I am still trying to find something special I can share with each of them. I love how my mom shares a special coffee time with my kids. We allow no one else to use the term coffee time as that is their special connection.

I know I do things that they think only mom can do, but I am really seeking something special to share with each of my kids. In the meantime, I am enjoying painting nails, doing puzzles, listening, and snuggling with them all.

Tracy’s Financial Goals

1. Address bills, insurance, and important documents twice a month. Had one or two months where I just paid the bills and then had a mess to organize at the end of the month. However, this process is more smoothly this year as I make a point to address it all without leaving one or two items unfinished.

2. Purchase a Dell 10 to replace my laptop and failing desktop. This is still on my wish list. My laptop is doing much better as Paul upped my memory after a glitch that corrupted a file on the website and another incident where my documents file disappeared. Thankfully, Paul recovered my documents, but some of the files were corrupt. This was another lesson why I need a backup schedule.

Tracy’s Business Goals

1. Write posts one week in advance. No progress. As of the writing of this post, I am up-to-date for this year. I still have a few December 2012 posts that I would like to finish, but one step at a time.

2. Cleanup all computer files, consolidate all items onto one computer, and set a backup schedule. Still working on this long-term project and concentrating on my desktop files first.

In keeping on track for some of these goals and challenging myself on others, I am pressing on to using time wisely. Seeing the value of making goals, I enjoy the forward progress. Even the failures teach me that I cannot do it alone or perfectly. However, I can take a step backward and still move further along faster than if I had not made the goal initially.

As you aim high in your endeavors, keep making progress. When you miss the goal, take a step back, regroup, and then start again. Moving forward is progress – no matter how small the steps are. Happy goal reaching!

Question: What progress have you made on your 2013 goals? 

Physical Goals: Daily Drinking 64 oz. of Water

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Physical Goals: Daily Drinking 64 oz. of Water

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

Back in February, I shared my written goals for 2013. Since that post, I have concentrated on my physical goals. I shared one week how I’m ignoring the scale and aiming for healthy and last week included a guest post from Kay Winders on how to fit exercise into your schedule.

Today, I will focus on my second physical goal – daily drinking 64 oz. of water. This goal continues from last year.

Measure Correctly

By December of 2012, I thought I was drinking 4 of my 8 glasses of water each day. As I sought for ways to accurately measure my water intake, I discovered that the glass I was using held 16 oz. I was shocked as I had assumed it was an 8 oz. glass.

Though I was increasing my water intake, I never thought to measure the amount of water I drank. Using a Weight Watcher’s 32 oz. jug that my mom gifted me, I now track my water intake easily with the measurements listed on the container. I just drink two cupfuls each day.

Track Successfully

By measuring the water, I instantly received encouragement since I was further along in my quest than I originally thought. Also, getting a container with the measurements gave me a tangible and visual tracking device to guide me to my goal.

Take a Break Occasionally

Some days are easier than others. I still struggle with the taste of water as I prefer sweet tea or diet coke. On days that I desire something other than water, I take a break and enjoy a nice tall glass of iced tea or a cold diet coke. Knowing I got a nice treat, I kick back into gear and complete my water intake for the remainder of the day.

Without depriving myself, I enjoy a favorite beverage while staying on track with my goal. This compromise has allowed me to enjoy both worlds which is a win-win outcome for me without feeling like I am missing out.

As you strive to meet your goals, measure correctly, track successfully, and take a break occasionally. With an accurate evaluation, you can adjust your plans to reach your goals without depriving yourself of a treat now and then. Though you might still struggle, you can continue to adjust until you find what works for you. Striving along with you!

Question: How have you adjusted to on-going goals?  

Guest Post: How to Fit Exercise into Your Schedule

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Exercise is so good for us and we know it, but finding time within our schedules is easier said than done. I’m with you – as I struggled through most of 2012 trying to fit in exercise in the midst of ever-changing schedules and routines.

After sharing how I fit exercise into my schedule last week, I am pleased to have Kay Winders guest post again today. After sharing reverse mortgages in January, Kay returns with tips to using time wisely while focusing on your health!

Thanks, Kay, for sharing with us. ~ TracyGuest post

Many people don’t exercise because they just don’t have the time. You have to get up early to beat rush hour traffic. When you come home after a long day, you either want to spend time with your family, or you just don’t have the energy to go to the gym. Weekends are packed with activities you weren’t able to get to during the week and with spending time with family.

But you can’t just not exercise. Exercise is important to keep your body healthy and to make you feel happier, more energized, and more rested. It is critical to find the time to exercise, even with the busiest schedule. Here are a few ways you can find more time for exercise and make your workouts more efficient:

Make Exercise Do Double Duty

There are plenty of chores you can do around your house to get in a good workout while also tending to your home care. Do some work in the garden. Give the laundry room a fresh coat of paint. Get on a ladder and clean out those gutters, or sweep the spider webs that are taking over your eaves.

Choose chores that already need to be done that can help you work up a sweat in the process. You won’t have spent any more time working out, but you’ll get the healthy activity that you need.

Workout with Family and Friends

Make your social time and family time do double duty, too. Go for a walk with your family at the end of the day. Enjoy a family game of touch football on the weekend. If you have been meaning to get together with a friend, schedule a match on the courts or go for a bike ride on a local trail.

You’ll be spending quality time with the ones you love while also getting in good exercise, checking two things off your to-do list at the same time. If you have young children, you’ll also be setting a healthy example and promoting good habits.

Break It Up

You don’t have to spend two hours in the gym in order to get a good workout. Studies have shown that engaging in multiple short exercise sessions is just as effective as engaging in one longer session. For example, getting three 10-minute sessions is just as effective as one 30-minute session. It is much easier to find 10 minutes in your day to squeeze in a little activity. Head out for a quick walk, do some stretches, or even run in place.

Come up with a repertoire of exercises that you can do in short increments. When you find yourself with a few free minutes between activities, engage in one of your “routines.”

Do More Intense Workouts

You can cut your workouts in half by simply adding intensity to them. Instead of walking, try running. Instead of running at a leisurely pace, run faster, or run up hills. When you add intensity to your workout, you burn more calories in a shorter amount of time which helps you get the exercise you need without having to commit excessive amounts of time.

The key to getting in an intense workout is to keep your heart rate up. You do that by challenging your muscle groups and by continuing to move.

Eat a Good Diet

When you eat a healthy diet, you don’t have to exercise as much to maintain a healthy weight or to get some of the other benefits like stable moods and increased energy. Make sure you eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, healthy fats, fiber, and water.

No matter how healthy your diet is, you will still need to exercise. However, you won’t need to work as hard as you would when trying to counteract the negative effects of junk food and fast food.

It can be hard to make the time for the exercise you need when you have a very busy schedule (and who doesn’t?). You can use these tips to find more time for exercise and to make your workouts more efficient.

Question: How do you make time for exercise? Share your tips in the comments!

Kay Winders is presently the resident writer for www.badcreditloans.org, where she researches the best way for people to pay off their debts without damaging their credit. In her spare time, she enjoys freelance writing, the beach, and gardening.

Ignoring the Scale While Aiming for Healthy

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Ignoring the scale while aiming for healthy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

Getting up early to sweat and “feel the burn” is not my ideal wake-up call. In fact, the last thing I want to do first thing in the morning is exercise. Having this idea that exercise needs to be done in the morning before everyone gets up blocked my progress in 2012.

When evaluating and setting my 2013 written goals, I decided to throw out what I thought was what needed to happen. Instead, I looked at my schedule and came up with a few different time slots where I could exercise and tried it out.

With my free printable Exercise and Water Log placed in a prominent spot on my refrigerator, I have encouragement to stay on track. Thus far in 2013, I have missed 3 days of exercise and 0 days drinking 64 oz. of water. For me, there is something about marking off those glasses of water and noting my exercise. I don’t like to have a missed space unless there is a reason.

If I overdo on cleaning or organizing, I tend to tweak my lower back. So, the days I missed exercising were due to soreness. I have doubled up on one day as I had extra energy. With this system in place, I do not feel that I have to exercise each day, but I never regret spending those 20-30 minutes rejuvenating my energy.

Though I am not the early riser to exercise, I fit in my exercise after dropping off my kids at school when my preschooler joins me, after lunch when she naps, or after my children are in bed at night. Getting my exercise done early helps me focus on the rest of the day, but other times are available if that slot gets filled with other priorities.

Next week, Kay Winders is guest posting on how to fit exercise into your schedule. Moving is good for all of us. As I started off exercising in 2013, I gained almost 10 pounds initially. This is usual for me which is why I get discouraged. However, I know I need the exercise, so I’m ignoring the scale while aiming for healthy.

With almost 2 months of consistent exercise, I recently stepped on the scale to find that I have lost 8 of those pounds which is encouraging. I post my progress on Facebook as a help to those of you struggling along this journey with me. Come join me in ignoring the scale while aiming for healthy. Happy moving!

Question: What are your struggles with exercise?

2013: My Written Goals

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2013: My written goals

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Angie Torres)

Though I have chosen my 2013 goals and have been working on them, I had not posted them. This choice was not due to keeping you in the dark, but rather finding a slot in the posting schedule to designate to goal setting.

Having completed the January series and celebrating Using Time Wisely’s blogiversary, I’m ready to dive into my written goals.

In 2012, I set my first written goals. I chose four categories and made three goals for each. Though I made progress, I felt I bit off more than I could chew. Some months, I felt guilt for not making headway which was not the point of the exercise. By writing my goals down, I had focus to know where I was heading.

This year, I kept the four categories, but I chose two goals for each one. Using last year’s progress as a springboard, I jumped into 2013 with these goals:

Tracy’s Physical Goals

1. Drink 64 oz. of water per day.

2. Exercise for 20 minutes at least 5 times a week.

Tracy’s Family Goals

1. Plan at least one family outing/activity each week.

2. Spend 10 minutes with each child every day.

Tracy’s Financial Goals

1. Address bills, insurance, and important documents twice a month.

2. Purchase a Dell 10 to replace my laptop and failing desktop.

Tracy’s Business Goals

1. Write posts one week in advance.

2. Clean up all computer files, consolidate all items onto one computer, and set a backup schedule.

Some of these goals remain from last year as I did not complete them all. Others are on-going, and still more are brand new. As I am still experimenting with the blog schedule as I see the difficulty in trying to remember last week’s post for articles in a series, I may not post goal updates monthly.

I do share on Facebook each day (or almost each day) my progress on my physical goals as well as a peak into our daily lives. If you have set goals for 2013, then join me in posting your progress. I would love to cheer you on as I am working along with you.

On the other hand, if you have not set goals, then it is not too late. Find one or two areas were you would like to see improvement, choose a realistic goal, write it down, and start. As you make progress, adjust your goals.

Enjoy the journey which is filled with highs and lows while using time wisely. Happy goal setting!

Question: What goals have you set for 2013?