Goal Setting

Goal setting is one of the key components to a successful journey and is today's topic.

Setting a goal can be challenging.  Giving serious consideration to what you want to achieve and why will help your focus on you journey.   But...there's always a "but" in there.  How do you go about setting a goal?

Your goal should be clear, challenging, and realistic.  Otherwise, you are setting yourself up for failure. We've all done this in one shape or form...hopefully we learn from our mistakes!  My goal is to be fit and healthy.  How do I plan to achieve that goal?  I plan to change my lifestyle and lose 30 pounds by July 15, 2011(that breaks down to 5 pounds a month and is achievable) through clean eating and regular exercise.  That's pretty clear and realistic, but how does that breakdown to daily living?  By setting smaller goals and rewarding myself for my achievements, I will achieve my ultimate goal.

Think of smaller goals as stepping stones along the way, helping you see progress and feel good about the changes you are making.  They help you stay on track, keep you motivated, and realize your goal is truly achievable.

Rather than trying to change everything at once, try setting one or two small goals each week.  One thing I struggle with is drinking enough water, which is so important to the body for many reasons (we'll talk about hydration in another post). This week my goal is to drink a minimum of 64 oz (that 8 - 8oz. glasses of water) per day.  My goal for the following week is to continue with my water and to eat clean all week.  Week 3 goal is to drink my water, eat clean, and to exercise 6 days.  You get the picture.  Think of your small goals as building a foundation, one block at a time.  Did you know it takes approximately 6 weeks to develop a new habit?  If you find you are struggling, call a friend.  Talking about your challenges can often help you get your hands around things and refocus on the task at hand.

Write your goals down and put them in a place where you see them every day.  Take a minute at the end of each week to review your progress and the next step in your journey.  It will help you "keep your eye on the prize"!  Be sure to reward yourself for achieving your mini goals.  If wellness, weight loss, or living a healthier lifestyle is your goal - a great reward for achieving your goals for the month might be a massage, a session with a personal trainer, new workout shoes, or a new piece of workout equipment - like a medicine ball.  The reward doesn't have to be expensive or elaborate, but by choosing a reward that relates to your goal you are reinforcing the positive changes you have made.

Goal setting isn't something that you are just going to have a revelation about.  It is something you need to really give consideration to and put into play.  Be honest with yourself and set realistic goals that are achievable and you will find success.  This can be applied to many aspects of life!

Future Topics...

Some of the topics I thought might be interesting for future discussions are clean eating, hydration, goal setting, recipe sharing, etc.  I am also considering doing a triathlon next year.  Maybe that's another topic.  This is your blog as much as it is mine.  I welcome your input and topic suggestions.

Introduction to my journey and transformation...

Welcome to the first post of "My Journey to be Fit & Fabulous"!

My name is Kimberly, and I have struggled with wellness and my weight over the years.  I came to the point in my life last year where I no longer wanted to be the person I had become.  Being healthy inside and out has to be my focus.  I want and need it to be my focus, and I want to help others who have similar goals.

The reason I created this blog was to keep myself accountable and motivated along the way.  My goal is to share my trials and successes so anybody who is thinking about getting on the road to their own wellness journey, or is currently on their journey, has a forum to discuss it.  Maybe you can relate to my story, maybe you can't.  Maybe you don't know where to start or how to stay motivated.  Hopefully we can find that along the way...together!  

Over the years, I have tried numerous diets, programs, etc.  I lost and gained...it was a cycle that each time I gained a few more pounds.  Managing my stress with Oreo's and fries wasn't the answer.  I was tired. I was sad. I was just going through the motion of life.  That's not living!

One evening, I was chatting with a friend.  He mentioned a fitness program called P90X.  I talked with him about it, did some research, asked some questions, etc.  I soon found out other friends were doing the program and having great success, so I decided to give it a try.  Holy Moly!  Tony Horton nearly killed me the first week I followed his program.  I was so sore my arm pits even hurt, and I could barely get my hands over my head to wash my hair! But I kept at it.  I couldn't do but a few push-ups, but I did them.  And before I knew it, I was doing a ton of push-ups.  I was addicted to them (it's almost a sickness...ask anybody who's done the program LOL).  I longed for the next workout...I was losing inches and slowly the pounds were coming off too.  I added Shakeology to my program, and my energy sky rocketed.  By the time it was said and the 90 days were done, Tony had whipped me into a more fit, much happier and healthier being.

Along the way, two things happened...some of my "friends" (or so I thought) weren't very nice when the weight started coming off. I started spending more time working out than hanging out with them, and I wasn't putting junk in my pie hole anymore.  They made comments like "Oh, Kim won't eat that!" and so on, you get the idea.

The next thing that happened reinforced something I already knew.  You need a good support group to help you along your journey...kind of like your own cheerleading section.  I found a link on Facebook for P90X followers.  (It is almost a freaky following of people who are hooked on the program.)  I chatted with a number of nice people, but one person stuck out (in a good way, "I meant that in a good way" - any followers will understand this comment LOL).  Her name is Alison, and we started chatting about our experience with the program.  Out of it, I gained a great friend and someone I fondly call my WOS (Work Out Sister).  She is a sounding board, a rock who keeps me motivated, and someone who I share my successes and struggles.  Anyway, my WOS is one of the inspirations for this blog. Your real friends will support your decision to get fit and won't sabotage your efforts.  If you don't have one in place, get one!

Slowly, I started skipping workouts.  I was having some health issues, had surgery, and was not able to workout.  Before I knew it...I'd completely fallen off the wagon.  Old habits are hard to break.  (Who put those ice cream sunday cones in the freezer???  And why does all that sugar and junk taste so good?)  Well guess what?  No more being tired, no more stress monster, enough is enough! Tony and I are back at it...I purged the crap from my cupboards and fridge today.  It's time to get back on track.  I can't change the past, but darn it...I can take control of the present and my future!  I see how easy it is to be derailed, and I've learned I am pretty much an all or nothing kinda gal.  I can't keep junk in my house.  If I want a treat, I will have it out and maybe even share it with a friend.  But I can not have it in the house...it's setting myself up for failure.  Self-inflicted pain is the worst, and failure is NOT an option!

Today, I started back on program and am working to keep my commitment to myself.  It's not easy, and there is no quick fix.  You have to take control of your life and be accountable to yourself.  You have to find what works for YOU, and don't give up until you do!  (I am not a fitness expert and have no formal training.  Anything you happen to pick up here is simply "food for thought".  I am not here to say any one program is "it" or your savior.  This is simply a forum about what I have experienced and what has worked for me.  It's about learning from your mistakes (most likely you'll make a few along the way) and following the old cliche of "if at first you don't succeed, try try again!".)  So, what are you waiting for...let's get going!