Goals for 2011

I don't like the term New Year's Resolution because I feel like it implies that it is only for the new year.  While some goals only need to be for a certain period of time, some goals should be lifelong and I like to use January 1st as my renewal of my goals.  It is a time to check in and see how my goals are going and a time to make changes if I need to. 


I am making 5 new goals.  Some of them are short and some of them are lifelong goals.  I like goals of different sizes because it feels more manageable that way.  So, without further rambling I bring to you my list of goals for 2011 and beyond.


1. Get to my goal weight.
If things continue to go as planned I will be at my goal weight sometime during the Winter of 2011.  This brings me to tears when I think about it sometimes.  It is sometimes hard for me to understand that I will reach my goal this year. This year I will lose all of the weight that is holding me back.  This year I will be the healthiest version of me that I can be.  This year I will be wedding gown shopping ready.  This year I will feel free from this body.  I am very excited to complete this goal this year and work on having my goal for the future be maintaining.


2. Successfully complete the Emerging Leader's Network program at work
I was recently accepted into the ELN program at work and I am very excited to begin this program.  It is a yearlong program that focuses on developing your leadership skills and ends with a presentation in front of all of the big wigs at my work.  I am really excited to learn more about my organization and to further develop my leadership style.


3. Apply to grad school, get accepted and begin this fall.
I always knew that I wanted to go to grad school.  I just was never 100% sure what I wanted to go for.  I have pretty much made my decision and now I just need to get the ball rolling.  I am excited to go back to school and start the next chapter in my education and further my career.


4. Complete one 5k a season.
I know this may not seem like a lot to some of you, but I want to set a goal that I can achieve and not something that may not be feasible for me.  Regardless of the physical condition that I am in I am not sure that I have time to do a whole lot more than this.  Ann over at Twelve in Twelve is my inspiration for trying to complete the 5k's even though she completed 12 5k's in 12 months.  One 5k a month.  She is amazing and an inspiration for me.  I will not be following in her exact steps, but I am going to try to model her behavior and sign up for some races. 


5. Plan my wedding.
I will be honest and say I have a lot of ideas already, but this is my year to really plan.  We are trying to tie the knot in October of 2012.  We will find out if we get our date with the church in June of this year.  After that I will need to discuss a budget, start securing a venue, asking people to be in the wedding, etc. I am super excited about this, but I am also slightly overwhelmed already.  I have so many other goals that I need to achieve along with this goal.  I need to make sure I am allowing time for everything.


Alright everyone these are my goals for 2011 and beyond.  I am excited about getting into the first goal further and really kicking butt with this weight loss, healthy lifestyle thing.  I am very motivated and thankful for all of the support that I get from all of my follower's and the people whom I follow.  This blogging community has made all of the difference for me.  Blogging can't make you lose weight, but it is such a great tool to help through the ups and downs.  Just remember to be accountable for yourself and your decisions this year.  No one can change your life, your body or your future but YOU.  Make 2011 the best and most healthy year it can be by focusing on yourself!  

Versatile Blogger Award!

A big thanks to Vicky from Getting Fit for giving me the versatile blogger award!  It is nice to get an award to brighten your day and remember what you are working towards.

When you are given this award you are supposed to list 7 things about yourself and then pass on the award to 10 fellow bloggers. Apparently some people do not enjoy getting awards, so sorry if I give one to you and you don't like them.

1) I've never been to Iowa and it borders the state I live in.

2) I ended my relationship with soda 4 weeks ago and have never felt better.

3) I am allergic to fish and coconut.

4) I lived in Italy for 6 months and loved every second of it.

5) I was the 6th grade spelling bee champion.

6) I am going to go grad school next fall.

7) I am really excited to conquer this journey during the holiday months.

I'm passing this award on to:

Shanilie at Losing Over Half of Me
Whitney at Slimming Down for the Gown
Alissa at A Journey to Thin
Kelly at Life in the Fat Lane
Kenz at All the Weigh
Lyn at Escape from Obesity
Kati at The Great Balancing Act of a 24 Year Old
Stacy at Stacy's Weight Loss Blog
Tim at Fat. Boy. Thin
Jessica at See How She Runs

A few other comments/notes about today...

1. A very long battle that has been going on in my family is finally over and I feel sadness and peace at the same time.  I am so beyond happy to move on, but moving on means letting go completely and although I feel ready for that it still makes me slightly emotional and sad.

2.  Yesterday was my nieces birthday and I went to her house to wish her happy birthday and there was spaghetti and a princess cake and there was slight temptation, but I remained strong.  I passed on everything, ate some fruit and veggies and went home to eat my healthy meal.  We also had a Halloween Nacho-bar potluck at work today.  Last year I made AMAZING queso with more cheese than can be imagined.  I was asked to make it again this year and I was a little bit nervous.  In the past I have made"exceptions" to eat poorly on holidays, birthdays and special events, so it would not have been out of the ordinary for me to choose to do this.  I am really, really trying hard at this losing weight battle and I didn't want to compromise my results this early in the game.  Last night I made my own healthy mexican pizza that I ate during the potluck and it was great.  Sure, I can honestly say that I didn't miss the other food at all.

3. Final thing for the day is... I have been wanting to try the Forever 21 Plus size line Faith 21 for quite some time now, but when I googled it one day I found all of these negative comments about the sizing.  I looked at their website and found the size guidelines and noticed that a 3x was a 17-18 and thought eeek, there is no way that will fit me.  I have been looking online at their clothes for weeks and finally today I went to the mall to look at the selection.  The closest mall to me is Mall of America, so their selection is HUGE, which I know is not the case in every mall.  I found dozens of things that I loved.  A lot of it I looked at and thought there is no way that will fit me.  Not now, maybe later?  I found two skirts and a sequined tank top that I had to have.  I figured I would take them home and have a reward when I reached one of my smaller goals and was able to fit into them.  I got home and thought I would try them on quick just to see how much they didn't fit, so that I knew how long it would be before I could wear the items comfortably.  Well..... ALL 3 ITEMS FIT!!!! Super cute, trendy clothes for a reasonable price in smaller sizes than I am used to and they fit?  Amazing.  I might return the items and get a 2x just so that I have something to fight for and look forward to wearing around the holidays.