GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALs!!!!

Everybody needs goals. I think it's a good idea to have both short term and long term goals. I'm posting some of each here to use as motivation and to track my progress. Of course, what's a goal without a reward? Besides, of course, the satisfaction that comes with meeting a goal, I'm going to reward myself at each milestone.

Overall goals:
(1) Get exercise at least 5 days a week. I love classes. I like working out to music, and I like challenging myself to beat other people at fitness contests. Classes give me both of these. Plus, since I pay in advance I feel a sense of obligation to attend. I've signed up for three days of classes (two bootcamp-style workouts, one stroller workout), and one session with a trainer each week. That takes care of four workouts; the fifth is on me. I plan to do a Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred  or Jillian Michaels Kickboxing tape, or do a run/walk at least one day a week.

(2) Eat a balanced diet. This is about my health, above all else. I am a mom to three beautiful children, and I will not raise them in a house filled with food issues. I want to retrain myself to eat when I'm hungry, enjoy what I'm eating, and focus on nutritious foods that taste as good as they make me feel. Nothing is off limits. In the early days I will be extra careful and focus on three meals and two or three snacks each day. I know that I can get myself into a carbohydrate rut, so I also want to focus on making sure I get some protein with every meal and snack. To do this I need to cook just about every day. I need to cook enough food to have leftovers that I can pack for lunches on the go. I need to plan and grocery shop for all my meals and snacks, not just dinners, so I have no reason to 'run out and grab something.'

(3) Sleep. I know, I have three children under four years old. Don't laugh at this goal. I'm a natural night owl living in a house full of natural morning people. But I've learned that when I'm sleep deprived, I make a lot of other bad choices like skipping workouts and grabbing fast food. So, sleep, I must, and I will. I'm going to aim to be in bed by 10pm, so I can read a bit before (hopefully) falling to sleep. When I succeed, I can get a full 8 hours of sleep, and I know that will help me meet my other goals.

Looking at these goals on paper...it seems pretty clear-cut and simple. I can do this!