Thought: If I really want to do this, then I really have to work.

Weight: 274.6

I Feel: unsettled

...ain't that the truth. This is going to be hard and I am just so bad with hard. But the truth is...and I only admit this to myself in my darkest secrets...I never follow thru on anything. So many things running thru my mind upon writing that. Truth hurts...so what am I going to do about it? I have to be a grown up and tackle this, right? Be smart about it and work my way through it.

All the research I have read says you have to journal and keep a food diary. You have to track yourself and create goals. I know all about this stuff, but I never do it. I have been teaching it for years; counselor heal thyself.  Quit your bitching and start a revolution.

So here we go.

I am keeping a detailed hand written journal where I am tracking the date, my thought, my weight and how I feel. I am also using the journal to plan my weekly menus, and track my food intake and exercise. Some of this information I will be sharing here. In an effort to get the ball moving, I worked on my vision, mission and goals today as well as planning the menu for the week...but I did not exercise. I also ate a lot. Holidays and weekends are my challenges. But I digress...here is a basic breakdown of my goal setting process. I sat and gave myself time to think about each of these and let words and images come to me. Once I had a good idea in my mind, I began to write.

Vision is your Long range goal; a far away destination that you are working and moving toward.

Mission is the path you are taking to get there.

Goals are the steps you are taking along the way.

To share some of my brainstorming with you:

Vision: Strong, financially independent, fit, healthy, active woman, partner, mother, friend, who works hard and plays harder teaching at a university and selling our art, crafts and designs.

Mission: Take an active role in my life by exercising and challenging my body, fueling it with healthy, home cooked food, watching my spending and saving and planning activities with my friends and loved ones.

Goals: 1. Lose 20 lbs by 10-23-10.

            2. Make it thru 6 weeks of Jillian's 30 Day Shred

            3. Plan menus by week and cook nearly  everything that goes in my mouth.

            4. Pay bills on time. Save all cash in majick money jar. Move any money left at the end of month to savings account.

In order for goals to be reachable, they need to meet a few criteria. They need to be SMARTER.

S     Simple, specific and significant

M    Measurable, motivational and manageable

A     Attainable, appropriate, achievable

R     Relevant, Realistic, Results-focused
T     Time-bound, Trackable, Tangible
E     Evaluate, Ethical, Engaging
R     Reward, Reassess, Revisit

I looked over my goals, and I think I have done a pretty good job of creating some reachable, tangible and measurable goals. I am being specific and intentional in what I want to do. If I am going to change my way of living, my motivation and my habits, I will need to be very intentional in all that I do.


I went on to outline my short term goal, my timeline, and a basic plan of action.
Short term goal: lose 20 lbs by 10-23-10
Time: 6 weeks-42 days
Basic Plan:

• modified 3-day diet on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for 6 weeks.
• 30 Day Shred/walk/elliptical-daily
• breakfast everyday
• salad/light lunch daily
• cook all dinners

To tie it all together, I asked myself: How does this help my long term goals, mission and vision?
Dedicating myself to this 6 week goal will start me on the path toward regular daily activity and a craving for exercise. Planning my menus will help me be organized in my kitchen and shopping-buying only what we need. Healthy eating is a necessity now and only I can control what goes into my mouth to fuel my body. I have to do this to be in control of my health and my body...of my life; to be a mother and to live a strong, long life. To die a good death.


There...it is out on the interwebs now, homepickles, so add accountability to that list...
Wish me luck!