Don't let your goals restrict you, let them free you!
For me, goals are an important part of becoming healthy. A lot of times people do not set goals because when they do, they are unrealistic and therefore quite difficult to achieve. Then when they are unable to reach their goal by their pre-determined date, they are upset and feel as if they have not accomplished anything, even if they have. When setting personal goals, it is important to realistic with yourself; can you physically do the things you are saying? Do you have the time that is required in order to achieve these goals?
I have been an unrealistic goal-setter in my past and I have learned from those mistakes.
Sometimes you are alone in your efforts, but don't give up!
Recently I did a self-evaluation of my life, which is partially reflected in my post about “Doing the Right Thing” and the rough week I had. I asked myself the tough questions like:
What do you want to do with your life? Are you living up to your potential?What do you need to do to be at peace with yourself? How can you change your day-to-day actions to make yourself a happier person?
Asking these questions of yourself is easy. Answering them honestly is the tough part. But I did it, and that led me to setting 5 new goals for myself. I put a time frame on achieving some of these goals while others are a work in progress, meaning, I want reach these goals but I will not punish myself if it takes me longer to do so.
Here are my goals:
1. Do at least 45 minutes of cardio five days a week.
2. Incorporate strength training and weights into my work outs at least 3 days a week.
3. Lose 25 pounds before January 1, 2011.
4. Do something nice for someone else at least every day.
5. When focusing on a negative aspect about myself, say something positive about myself, TO myself.
In order to lose 25 pounds I will have to go back to basics and count my daily calorie intake and track my exercise. A lot of people find counting calories to be a negative thing, complaining that it makes you focus on what you are eating more than you ought to. I believe, however, it is not that much different than counting Weight Watcher’s Points, and that if it helps me succeed in losing weight and become more aware of what I am putting into my body, then more power to me! As long as any of my tools to losing weight do not cause an obsession or body image problem, I believe I should use those tools, regardless of if they work for a fellow blogger or not. You have to do what is right and most successful for you! When you learn that and stop trying to imitate others, you succeed big!
I am fully capable of reaching these goals and I intend to put as much work into achieving them as I put into working at my job and blogging… if not more!
What are some of your goals and what do you do to help keep yourself motivated? What are some tools you use to achieve your goals?
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