Goals, Resolutions, and Words – My Head is Spinning

January 7, 2014 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Lori Ann)

In reading all the goals, resolutions, and words – my head is spinning. Don’t get me wrong. I love setting goals as I accomplish more with goals than if I just wandered aimlessly about or just lived life surviving. For all those who have set your goals, I rejoice with you as you follow your plan and forge ahead.

For those of you, who just can’t seem to get with the program, I’m with you. I’m not putting off making goals, but I am taking time to evaluate and wait until I know what my goals are. I don’t want to get them done, only to struggle all year because I wasn’t focused.

Relating to Jaime’s post on Gaining Momentum When Life Strikes a Blow, I love how she planned goals for one week which rolled into planning January followed by the first quarter until she gained momentum for planning 2014. I, too, had an “it” moment in 2013, and getting back on track has been a l-o-n-g process. I haven’t quite come out of it, but I’m putting one foot in front of the other.

I’m not choosing a word for the year as I can’t look that far forward without feeling overwhelmed. I’m not setting resolutions whereby I dig my heels in and complete those statements though they really don’t matter by June. However, I will set goals. Not now, but in the weeks to come. I will take my time and make these goals meaningful and purposeful for my life.

Rather than joining the masses to set goals, resolutions, and words, I am slowing down. Does it go against the current? Yes, but I’m choosing to be intentional. I am choosing to get rest, play with my children, concentrate on our home, and take life slower. If I don’t get everything done, I’m giving myself grace.

If your head is spinning with all the talk of goals, words of the year, and resolutions, then stop. You don’t need to join the rat race – just let it fly by. Look at your life and find what works for you.

If you are being intentional and taking your time, then give yourself grace. Don’t compare yourself to the supermom, who you think can do it all. Here’s a little secret . . . she can’t do it all. She just puts on a good face. I know because I’ve done it for years. At some point, she stops. This is my year, and I’m forging ahead on my priorities while using time wisely. Dare to be different!

Question: How are you approaching goals, resolutions, and words this season?

Guest Post: Taking Baby Steps to Achieve a Healthy Lifestyle

July 24, 2013 by Tracy

Today, I’m privileged to have Bridget Sandorford share some practical ways to live a healthy lifestyle.

On my own health journey, my baby step is drinking 64 oz. of water each day. With baby steps, I am seeing baby changes which is so encouraging.

I love how Bridget realizes that we have short bits of time and offers small changes from meals to sleep to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Thank you, Bridget, for sharing these techniques.Though I don’t have a treadmill desk (which really intrigues me), I love the cooking in bulk suggestion.

As you continue on your health journey, I hope you find some encouragement as you read Bridget’s perspective on taking baby steps to achieve a healthy lifestyle. ~ Tracy

Taking Baby Steps to Achieve a Healthy Lifestyle

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

Getting healthy can be a lot of work. You have to shop for fresh ingredients (which may mean several trips to the store in a week), cook up fresh meals (no take out), and then find time to get to the gym.

When you have a busy lifestyle (like most of us do), it can be hard to find 10 minutes to go for a short walk around the block, let alone an hour to do cardio and weight training. Cooking usually involves heating something up in the microwave or picking up the phone to place an order.

However, getting healthy has to be a priority, no matter how busy your schedule is. Otherwise, you put yourself at risk of developing chronic health conditions and even disease.

You jeopardize the quality of life you can expect to have. Fortunately, there are a lot of things you can do to get healthy that will fit in with even the busiest of schedules. Here are a few ideas for how you can take baby steps to achieve a healthy lifestyle:

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

Cook in Bulk

You may not have time to cook dinner every night, but you can likely set aside a couple of hours on the weekend to make a couple of big batches that can be portioned into individual meals. You can make foods like soups, stews, pastas, rice, stir fries, roasts, and more.

After a couple of hours of prep time, you will have a lot of food that you can portion out and put in the refrigerator or the freezer for use later in the week. Then you just have to pop them in the microwave when you come home from a long day at work. You’ll be sure to always have healthy meals ready to go instead of being tempted by take out.

Order Meals

Takeout food is often loaded with unhealthy fats, sugars, and additives. Plus, it’s usually about 2 or 3 times the size of a normal portion and has far too many calories. However, if you just don’t have the time to cook, ordering takeout is often the only option you have.

Instead of ordering takeout, order your meals from a delivery service. You can get quality, ready-to-eat foods that only have to be warmed up. Services usually are based on weekly or monthly menu plans, but you can likely customize your plan to fit your needs.

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

Add More Activity in Your Daily Routine

You don’t have to go to the gym to get your body moving. You’ve heard it before, but now it’s time to start actually doing it: take the stairs (yes, even up those four flights), park at the end of the lot, walk to the bathroom that’s farthest from your desk.

If it’s possible, you can even install a standing desk in your office so that you can get off your butt and burn more calories. If you work from home, you might even consider setting up a treadmill desk. (Yes, that’s a real thing.)

Photograph Credit: Fotolia

Combine Exercise with Socializing

An easy way to squeeze in more exercise without taking more time out of your schedule is to combine it with something else you would have been doing anyway, such as spending time with family and friends.

Instead of sitting around chatting after you meet your friend for lunch, go for a walk while you talk. Instead of meeting for drinks, meet up for a tennis match. Instead of going to a family movie night, go for a family skate night. Whatever you do, you’ll be having fun together, and you’ll be getting more exercise.

Find Ways to Release Stress

Stress is a silent killer. Too much stress over too long a period can start to cause serious health problems, even disease. You will dramatically improve your health by simply finding ways to reduce stress in your life. You don’t have to set aside an hour for meditation (which would likely just cause you more stress by limiting your time even more).

There are many exercises you can do right at your desk that take no more than 5 minutes, such as visualization and focused breathing. Anything that makes you laugh or feel good will also help, and it takes no time at all to tell a joke.

Photograph Credit: Fotolia

Get More Sleep

One of the first things that most people sacrifice in their quest to fit tasks into their limited hours in the day is sleep. Yet sleep is one of the most important things for your health.

Studies have shown again and again that getting less than 5 or 6 hours of sleep at night can have devastating consequences for your health. Getting at least 7 hours, if not 8, should be your goal each night.

If you think that you just can’t make the time for sleep, consider this: Not only will getting more sleep improve your health, but it will also help you to have more energy and to focus more easily; therefore, getting more done more quickly and saving you time overall.

Your health should be your priority. Yet when you are faced with a busy schedule, it often gets sacrificed with a poor diet, inactivity, high stress, and lack of sleep.

You don’t have to overhaul your lifestyle overnight, but it is important to start making changes that can help you to protect your health. These baby steps can help.

Bridget Sandorford is a freelance blog and culinary writer, where recently she’s been researching cooking school online. In her spare time, she enjoys biking, painting and working on her first cookbook.

2013: Goal Update – May Edition

May 29, 2013 by Tracy

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

March 13, 2013 by Tracy

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?

2013: My Written Goals

February 20, 2013 by Tracy

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?