We always start the year with so many exciting goals and plans to achieve them. There is a newness in the air. A feeling of hope. I made my own list of Resolutions a couple of weeks ago. I must admit, I have already become a bit overwhelmed with them. I’m really starting to understand the concept I keep seeing of choosing a word for the year.
When assigned this week to choose one goal to focus on, I felt a moment of relief. It immediately sparked a renewed interest in those aforementioned resolutions. The one that quickly came to mind, jumping in front of all others, was Get Healthy.
It has been a lifelong dream of mine for my body to be in peak physical form. I’m not just referring to the number on my scale. My weight has been at a place I was satisfied with, but my body was not necessarily healthy. I have seen almost every number over the years on that evil little square thing I step on every morning. No matter what it said, I have never felt comfortable in my body. Never strong enough. Never flexible enough. Never fully satisfied.
After deciding on Health as what I am now calling my “power goal” for the year, I woke up Monday morning incredibly sick. I spent 2 days in bed, completely incapable of carrying out such basic tasks as getting my son to school. He laid next to me, his little body quickly succumbing to my stomach flu. By the time we reentered life yesterday, I knew God was telling me I made the right “power goal” choice.
We are helpless without our health. If our bodies are not operating properly, we can’t do any of the things we are called to do- take care of our families, show up at our jobs, serve in our ministries…
I keep finding myself being led to a concept called S.M.A.R.T. goals. When I again came across this acronym in an article I read this week, Setting Christ-Centered Goals by Kevin Nuber, I decided to try it out with the far too broad Get Healthy.
How to design SMART goals:
- Specific- Narrow the goal down to more precise plans.
- Measurable- There must be ways to show the goal has been reached.
- Attainable- Choose goals you can actually succeed in.
- Realistic- Replace words like never with limit.
- Timely- Set reasonable time constraints.
S. I want to feel strong and energized.
M. I will be able to easily walk/ run for at least 45 minutes. My body will be more flexible by being able to do Pilates again.
A. As I shared in my earlier resolutions post, I want to move everyday and cut out sugar. I still see these as very attainable.
R. I have always set unrealistic weight loss goals which set me up for failure. I will plan to lose a safe 1-2 pounds per week, but not get discouraged in times of stagnation.
T. I will start the Made to Crave study this Sunday with Proverbs 31 Ministries to help change those overwhelming cravings from food to God. I will start walking every morning for at least 30 minutes and do some stretching after. Each month, I will increase the walk time, add in periods of running, and work in more stretching exercises, such as Pilates.
I am definitely not giving up on my other resolutions. This is intended to set me up for success in my other areas. As I make progress with my health, I will refocus on the rest of the goals I originally set.
I hope everyone is having a great 2014 so far, and you are finding success in your yearly resolutions, words, power goals, or whatever you use to move forward…
I think you have chosen wisely, Candace. The healthier we are, the more active we can be in our other goals and purposes. Sending prayers your way. :O)
Thanks so much for the prayers, LuAnn! I’m finally feeling a lot better. Ready to start my walking program!
My church started a 21 day prayer fast on January 5. That weekend we experienced a huge snow storm and I was stranded at the hospital where I work. I decided working under extreme fatigue wasn’t a smart way to start. I wanted to give up sugar also. Well I feel like such a failure but I’m gonna try again Sunday. I also wanted to share I recently found a picture if myself 4-5 years ago. I was so thin!!! I’ve gained 12 lbs. give or take since then. But I know for sure even when I was thin I felt fat??? Can anyone relate? I realize I have never felt good or thin enough. I can always find a flaw with my body to complain about or criticize. Yes I need to lose weight, but more importantly I want acceptance!!! Of my 46 year old body. My body image is severely distorted
Hi Gail, I can completely relate! It’s crazy when I look back at pictures of myself so much thinner and can remember feeling so overweight even then. Giving up sugar is tough. I am struggling with it too. When I have a slip, I just start again. I’m refusing to give up this time. We can do this!
Love the share 🙂 Have a great weekend, I have my PiYo (Pilates and Yoga) class tom afternoon I always look forward to that!! Healthy the smart way is the best road for sure 🙂
Thanks Mari! I hope your class was great :). I have never tried PiYo, but it sounds like fun. I used to love yoga!
Yes – I love that SMART reminder. I always set such lofty ambiguous goals “be a better person” LOL. Being SMART about it leads to success. 🙂
It definitely sets us up for success! I’m excited about having a more specific plan this year. Getting started this weekend!
I understand this wholeheartedly. The bible study seems like a really good one. I wish I could add it to my list.
I wish you could join in too, Carla! It is a great book! I have read it before but am looking forward to going through it again with the study group. You could always sign up and just do what you have time to fit in. I’ll be posting once a week about it :).
What a brilliant way to start the year and I love that SMART goals you have. Thank you for sharing that. So great to connect with you and knowing we are sharing the same goal. Wishing you a wonderful and blessed 2014. 🙂
Wishing the same for you, Maureen! This is going to be our year for meeting all of our fitness and health goals :)!
OMG to become discipline in eating better smh CHALLENGING lol but attainable. I have not worked out in a month and my body feels out of sorts but I know once I start back I would be ok but eating my greens smh…keep hope alive 🙂
“Keep hope alive”- I love it, Camii! My hope is waning a bit right now. I haven’t been eating so great this week. I went to the grocery today and got all my supplies for green juice. It is the best way for me to get greens in. It is so hard when you get out of the habit of working out or eating healthy. I’m planning on pulling it back together this week though :)!