Goals

Goals—this word has always been a tricky one for me. I never know how to set goals for myself.  Do I set goals that have to be completed within in a certain time frame?  Do I set goals that have specific numbers involved?  Do I set goals that require me to gain a new skill?  And how do I not feel defeated if I don’t reach my goals?  The truth is I still haven’t really figured this one out.

The one thing that I have learned is having specific short term goals help me the most.  It helps me keep focused and on track.  The times in the past when I have set a goal for myself at the gym I have found that I really do push myself.  The months that I don’t have a goal or am not excited about the goal I picked I don’t stay as focused or achieve the goal.

Here are a few examples of goals I have set in the past and achieved.

• Completing a six week boot camp class
• Trying a new class at the gym—BodyCombat
• Run a mile by the end of the month
• Participate in the Thanksgiving 5k and finish
• Make it through BodyPump without a break
• Completing Whole30 in August 2015

Other things that motivate me are clothes!  My first trainer suggested that I not focus on the numbers on the scale but on how my clothes were fitting me.  He told me to hang an article of clothing that was to small for me on the back of the door and try it on once a week or once every other week and really focus on how it fits me.  Let me tell you how motivating it is especially when you can put that item on and feel confident walking out the door in it! Right now I have a pretty pink dress waiting for me!

Another goal that I was THRILLED to reach (although my bank account isn’t) was to be able to shop and wear clothes from Anthropologie!  It is my all-time favorite store and pretty much sums up my ideal closet.  I told myself in August that I was going to buy something from there for my birthday and wear it.  After completing the Whole30 challenge in August I decided to see where I stood.  I walked into the store on September 1st and the clothes fit!  I was ecstatic that not only did I meet this goal but I did so 25 days early!   Silly as it sounds this is one of the best non scale victories I have had to date.

This year I decided to dream a bit bigger and set some more long term goals.  I am using Lara Casey’s Powersheets to help me in this process.  I really like how she sets up the tending sheets to look at daily, weekly and monthly goals to reach your long-term goals.  My plan is to post my monthly goals on the first day of the month from now on but here are January goals so you can know where I stand!

Monthly goals

• Complete Whole30
• Read “It Starts with Food”

Weekly goals

• Meal planning
• Gym 4-5 times a week
• Run a 5K per week

Daily goals include

• Making breakfast
• Pack lunch

I really wanted to focus my January goal on  getting back into the habit of all the things I stopped doing from Thanksgiving to the New Year.   I know keeping them simple and achievable this month it will help set me up for more success in the months to come.

In addition I created a Pinterest board to help me brainstorm and dream about what i see for myself as I think about the year to come.  This board includes clothes inspiration, motivating quotes and fitness goals I would like to achieve.  My goal is to try and reach at least one of these each month.  Some of the goals I am most excited about are

• Completing Whole30 Whole45—I decided to extend it by 15 days
• Taking a spin class—which is a huge fear of mine, but I am excited to embrace my fears!
• Complete a Push up Challenge—I am crazy I know
• Wearing a regular bathing suit this summer with confidence!  I am really hoping I can achieve this one and not feel like I need to cover my legs with a bathing suit with a skirt!

How do you set goals and keep yourself motivated?

 

— Betty