So, in my first post I mentioned 3 goals I have for myself this year. Any of you who know me know that there are 3 things I am NOT! Those three things are: organized, prepared, and in shape!
So what am I going to do to change this? Well, I will tell you.
I am going to get back in shape! I never really struggled with my weight or fitness until I was an adult and married. Then with each new child came a whole new set of pounds that stayed with me after delivery! After baby number 3, I had had enough! (pounds, not babies) I worked really hard at being healthy, through both my diet and regular exercise. It was wonderful! Eventually life distracted me from my newfound healthy lifestyle. I had a little one in the hospital with pneumonia, 2 deaths in the family, followed soon by the holidays, and I allowed all this to interfere with my committment to daily exercise. Once the exercise went out the window, the healthy eating habits soon followed. When I became pregnant again - I was doomed!
Well, baby number 4 is now 2 years old, and I have had enough again! (pounds, not babies - maybe) This is the year I will get back in shape!
How am I going to do this? I have already begun my daily exercise program. I also am working really hard to eat a healthy diet. To help me stay motivated, my really good friend (we'll call her T) and I have entered The Biggest Loser online competition. The entry fee goes into a pot, and after 12 weeks, the pot is divided between the 3 biggest losers. This round, the 1st place pot is over $1300!!! Now I have to tell you, the money doesn't motivate me nearly as much as the weekly "posting" of everybody's progress, and the ranking of each competitor. There's nothing like seeing it all spelled out in black and white to keep you motivated for the next week. We are just beginning the third week of competition.
Progress: Down 9 lbs so far!
Next - I will build up my food storage. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. To find out what that means go here. For generations our prophets have counseled us to be prepared. Specifically we have been asked to gradually build up a year's supply of food storage. This will help us be prepared for the possibility of an emergency, or just unexpected life circumstances. I know I am not the only one who has great intentions regarding this counsel, but just doesn't seem to be able to get it together enough to really build up that year's supply. This is the year I will build up my food storage!
How am I going to do this? I have recently become a member of myfoodstoragedeals.com. I am so excited about this service. This woman is an EXPERT in the area of food storage, comparison shopping, and organizing and tracking all the relevant information. For a small (and I mean small) fee she sends weekly emails with all the info you need to get your groceries on a smaller than you can believe budget, plus acquire items for your food storage, at a time when you can get them for the best deal. She calculates how much of each item you should get for your year's supply, gives shelf life and has recipes on how to use it all! There is so much more, I can't even begin to tell you how much is included with this service. You'll just have to check it out yourself. Now I know this information is out there, and I could access it all for free, but that would entail so much time, and expertise that I really don't have. This small fee is so worth it for the headache it saves me, and gives me real confidence that I can do this.
Progress: I got my first Newsletter and my first sale lists!
I will organize every room in my house. As I said, I am NOT an organized person. That has to change, because a chaotic environment just makes me ORNERY! And when I'm ornery, I yell. And not only do my kids and dear husband hate it when I yell, but I hate it when I yell. I will not rest until I feel that there is order in my surroundings.
How am I going to do this? I will go through my space, room by room and put it in order. There is a fabulous book called Organizing From the Inside Out by Julie Morgenstern. I adore it. It really breaks down the reasons behind disorganization and clutter. Then there is a very in-depth process to organizing your space. It includes many steps, but the end result is a system that you can really stick to. I've found this the most helpful thing for me so far. For many people, like my really good friend T, these systems and steps are part of their nature, and they surround themselfs with order. I need to have it spelled out for me step by step in a book, and follow the recipe exactly. Not everything she says is relevent to me and my situation, but the majority of her advice has really helped and I am doing it!
Progress: I already went throught the process with my son last year, and he has been able to stick with it and keep his room clean for months! I also got my bathroom de-clutterd and organized down to the very last drawer. Last week I cleaned out and organized my fridge and freezer, and today I am tackling the pantry. I can do this! I will post some pictures shortly.
Well this concludes my very long post detailing my goals for this next year. I will keep you updated on my progress! I welcome any and all advice, tips and tricks that you all may have for helping me get there!
So what am I going to do to change this? Well, I will tell you.
I am going to get back in shape! I never really struggled with my weight or fitness until I was an adult and married. Then with each new child came a whole new set of pounds that stayed with me after delivery! After baby number 3, I had had enough! (pounds, not babies) I worked really hard at being healthy, through both my diet and regular exercise. It was wonderful! Eventually life distracted me from my newfound healthy lifestyle. I had a little one in the hospital with pneumonia, 2 deaths in the family, followed soon by the holidays, and I allowed all this to interfere with my committment to daily exercise. Once the exercise went out the window, the healthy eating habits soon followed. When I became pregnant again - I was doomed!
Well, baby number 4 is now 2 years old, and I have had enough again! (pounds, not babies - maybe) This is the year I will get back in shape!
How am I going to do this? I have already begun my daily exercise program. I also am working really hard to eat a healthy diet. To help me stay motivated, my really good friend (we'll call her T) and I have entered The Biggest Loser online competition. The entry fee goes into a pot, and after 12 weeks, the pot is divided between the 3 biggest losers. This round, the 1st place pot is over $1300!!! Now I have to tell you, the money doesn't motivate me nearly as much as the weekly "posting" of everybody's progress, and the ranking of each competitor. There's nothing like seeing it all spelled out in black and white to keep you motivated for the next week. We are just beginning the third week of competition.
Progress: Down 9 lbs so far!
Next - I will build up my food storage. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. To find out what that means go here. For generations our prophets have counseled us to be prepared. Specifically we have been asked to gradually build up a year's supply of food storage. This will help us be prepared for the possibility of an emergency, or just unexpected life circumstances. I know I am not the only one who has great intentions regarding this counsel, but just doesn't seem to be able to get it together enough to really build up that year's supply. This is the year I will build up my food storage!
How am I going to do this? I have recently become a member of myfoodstoragedeals.com. I am so excited about this service. This woman is an EXPERT in the area of food storage, comparison shopping, and organizing and tracking all the relevant information. For a small (and I mean small) fee she sends weekly emails with all the info you need to get your groceries on a smaller than you can believe budget, plus acquire items for your food storage, at a time when you can get them for the best deal. She calculates how much of each item you should get for your year's supply, gives shelf life and has recipes on how to use it all! There is so much more, I can't even begin to tell you how much is included with this service. You'll just have to check it out yourself. Now I know this information is out there, and I could access it all for free, but that would entail so much time, and expertise that I really don't have. This small fee is so worth it for the headache it saves me, and gives me real confidence that I can do this.
Progress: I got my first Newsletter and my first sale lists!
I will organize every room in my house. As I said, I am NOT an organized person. That has to change, because a chaotic environment just makes me ORNERY! And when I'm ornery, I yell. And not only do my kids and dear husband hate it when I yell, but I hate it when I yell. I will not rest until I feel that there is order in my surroundings.
How am I going to do this? I will go through my space, room by room and put it in order. There is a fabulous book called Organizing From the Inside Out by Julie Morgenstern. I adore it. It really breaks down the reasons behind disorganization and clutter. Then there is a very in-depth process to organizing your space. It includes many steps, but the end result is a system that you can really stick to. I've found this the most helpful thing for me so far. For many people, like my really good friend T, these systems and steps are part of their nature, and they surround themselfs with order. I need to have it spelled out for me step by step in a book, and follow the recipe exactly. Not everything she says is relevent to me and my situation, but the majority of her advice has really helped and I am doing it!
Progress: I already went throught the process with my son last year, and he has been able to stick with it and keep his room clean for months! I also got my bathroom de-clutterd and organized down to the very last drawer. Last week I cleaned out and organized my fridge and freezer, and today I am tackling the pantry. I can do this! I will post some pictures shortly.
Well this concludes my very long post detailing my goals for this next year. I will keep you updated on my progress! I welcome any and all advice, tips and tricks that you all may have for helping me get there!
Comments
{{Big Hugs}}
Cathy