Goal # 30 Write in a Journal

I have started a lot of journals in my life. I love picking out journals with beautiful covers. I love picturing myself curled up in a quiet place writing in it. I even love doing that the first day I bring it home. But, the next thing I know it's usually wedged so badly in the back of my desk that I can't get the drawer to open or close. When I finally retrieve it and wipe away the dust I love seeing what I wrote and wonder why I didn't stick with it!

Does anyone else have this problem? Does anyone successfully write in a journal? If so, what do you get out of writing in it regularly? Do you have any tips for a beginner like me?

Health Goals

After 28 days of walking for 30 minutes or more I can feel my body getting in better shape. I think this should be a minimum daily activity that I will continue. However, I don't know how realistic it is for me to walk for 45 -60 minutes every single day and still continue to incorporate strength training.

I'm thinking about modifying some of these health goals... I'd like to change my previous goal of exercising 3 times a week to 6 times a week, which will include a 30 minute walk at least.

I'd also like to swap my two other walking goals for something else health related. Does anyone have any ideas? I have thought about including a goal to take a daily multivitamin/omega3 supplement, but I'm wondering if there is something else I should try to do. Any advice is welcome!! Thanks ;)

Goal # 2 Choose a Church Home

Since Jeff and I got engaged, we have placed more of an emphasis on our religions. When we were just dating, it was easier for us to maintain the religious traditions we grew up with. That seemed to shift a bit when we began planning our future together as husband and wife. Suddenly it wasn't about my beliefs, it was about our beliefs and the beliefs we would impose on our children someday.

Luckily, our core beliefs are the same. We both feel it is important to bring God into our marriage and our home. We both want to make going to church on Sunday a ritual for our family. The most difficult decision is where our family will worship together. Will we raise our children according to the Catholic faith, Lutheran faith, or some other compromise?

Since we moved to the suburbs we have visited several different churches. We were trying to be open minded and hopeful that we would know our church home when we saw it. We went to a few Lutheran churches that were too contemporary for us. No one was more surprised than Jeff that he felt comfortable at a Catholic church in Naperville. We always heard a really meaningful message there and left feeling uplifted.

We kept checking out other Lutheran services and we think we might have found a place that is just right for both of us. It has a nice size congregation, good music, a meaningful message, and a positive, uplifting tone. This is huge for me as I have a total aversion to any fire and brimstone fear tactics. Overall, we feel like this is a good compromise for our needs. We haven't officially decided, but we think we are getting closer!

Goal # 13 Walk Daily

Okay, I am halfway through this month long goal and the walking is getting easy... too easy! I feel like in order to keep seeing results, I've got to kick it up a notch... So, I'm going to raise the incline and bump up my speed. Hopefully, this will give me the results I want to see on the scale Monday. I'm visualizing that number almost constantly to keep me focused and on the right track. Maybe it will help me workout a little harder and avoid unhealthy bites here and there..... we'll see!

Goal # 43 SPS Dinners

SPS dinners are back! This is a tradition we began when Jeff and I moved out to the burbs. We wanted to make sure we didn't lose touch with our friends and fun hot-spots in Chicago. Mike and Kara suggested a unique place near their new condo... The Honky Tonk BBQ in Pilsen. It was awesome! Great atmosphere, live music, delicious food, and BYOB! I can't wait to see where we end up next month!

Goal # 12 No Alcohol for a Month

Okay this goal is getting hard! After my first week back at school, I really wanted a cocktail on Friday night. I was making fajitas for dinner.... something I always eagerly associate with margaritas. Instead of getting bummed out or sneaking a little, I somehow I found the will power to just drink light lemonade. What?! I think I owe it to this blog. It is really keeping me honest with myself and it is a real self esteem booster. Instead of beating myself up for a slip, I'm feeling proud about even the smallest accomplishments.

Goal #27 Bring Jeff Coffee

This may seem like a strange and simple goal, but it was worth getting up early and going to Starbucks when I saw how happy it made Jeff! He was really bummed last night when he went to get the coffee ready for the morning (his daily chore) and remembered that we were out. I'll definitely do it again... not because it's a goal, but because it was a really easy way to give him a good start to his day. Happy Friday Everyone! ;)

Goal # 1 Pray Daily

Praying daily is not something I've done on a regular basis throughout my life. Being raised Catholic, I was taught to memorize prayers and recite them during mass or repeat them as penance following a confession.

As a kid, I remember using prayers to beg for things I wanted or to "please let my parents say yes to the sleepover!" I can even remember being quite confused when a middle school crush didn't return my feelings after countless "prayers" requesting that God send him my direction!

One of the coolest things I'm learning from Jeff is the art of meaningful praying. I was in awe the first time I heard him say a prayer aloud. He seemed so comfortable and natural. I was envious of his ability to have such an honest and open dialogue with God in front of me.

I'm learning the importance of giving thanks for what I have, the people in my life and not taking anything for granted. I'd like to think that I've always done this on occasion... but, dedicating time each day to give thanks or ask for strength and guidance has had a surprisingly positive impact on my life. It is a humbling, calming, and comforting habit to begin.

Goal # 13 Walk Everyday for a Month

I started Goal # 13 (walking for 30 minutes a day for a month) right away on New Year's day. Not because I thought it would be physically challenging, but instead because it will be a mental challenge for me.

I have developed a pattern for starting intense exercise programs where I push myself for at least an hour, sometimes twice a day and then, inevitably, I burn out. I then proceed to spiral out of control for twice as long as my workout frenzy lasted. Needless to say... not a healthy pattern! ;)

The theory behind this goal is that it will get me in the habit of moving my body on a daily basis. Nothing too strenuous... nothing that will lead me into a rebellion phase. I'm looking at this one as 'laying the foundation' for future goals. Getting in the right mindset... finally allowing myself to reach better health steadily rather than overnight.

Goals Not Yet Started 37

6. Try yoga or pilates
16. Bike a new leg of the Illinois Prairie Path
17. Bike along Lake Michigan again
18. Walk around Lake Geneva... all 24 miles
19. Run a 5k
28. Surprise him by cleaning the whole house
31. Donate to a charity
34. Take a class through the YMCA or park district
36. Read 2 pregnancy books (0/2)
41. Go to bingo with my grandma
42. Have a reunion with the 805 girls!
51. Open a 403b
52. Buy a stock
53. Save 3 months of income
56. Get to Master's plus 15
57. Organize my computer files
58. Start a parent volunteer program in my room
60. Read 2 teacher books to re-energize my classroom (0/2)
64. Sell some things on Craigslist
68. Finish decorating the office
69. Set up a nursery
76. Visit a winery
77. Go camping
78. Take a road trip without planning everything out
79. Use our Ritz Carlton gift certificate
80. Go fishing
81. Go sledding
83. Go to a concert
90. Make Photo Books of my relationship with Jeff
92. Get fitted for a bra
93. Cut down a Christmas tree
94. Paint a picture
95. Watch a live show get taped (hopefully OPRAH!)
97. Go to a bar for a drink by myself
98. Go to a beach
100. Go dancing
101. Celebrate Finishing 100 Goals!!!!

Goals In Progress 29

1. Pray daily
3. Go to church at least twice a month
4. Pray before dinners at home with Jeff
5. Exercise at least 6x a week
8. Eat fruits & veggies everyday
9. Eat fish at least once a week
15. Take daily vitamins
20. Go to the doctor yearly (1/2 visits)
21. Go to the dentist every six months (2/4 visits)
22. Floss daily
25. Tell Jeff I love him every day
26. Surprise him with something thoughtful (3/10)
30. Start a journal & write in it once a week (1/104 weeks)
33. Make a list of 100 things I'm thankful for
37. Read 6 books just for fun (5/6 books completed)
44. Send a card to someone once a month (11/24 months)
45. Keep in touch with my new sisters and Rodney & Leona
48. Call/send a card to our nieces & nephews, at least on b-days (5/7)
49. Pay off debt
54. Laugh with my kids everyday
70. Take reusable grocery bags to the store fifty times (1/50)
71. Pack my lunch in reusable containers
72. Turn off the water while brushing my teeth
73. Switch to energy efficient lights
74. Drink water from a reusable container
75. Go on 4 little getaways with Jeff (3/4)
85. Plant something and keep it alive
88. Train the puppy to be polite
89. Take pictures every month

Goals Completed 43

2. Choose a church home for our family
7. Incorporate weight training into workouts
10. No fast food/greasy food for 1 month
11. No pop for 1 month
12. No alcohol for 1 month (doesn't count if I'm pregnant ;)
13. Walk for 30 minutes a day for a month
14. Walk for 45 minutes a day for a month
23. Get a facial
24. Start a regular skin care regimen
27. Make him coffee and bring it upstairs for him
29. Plan a special date
32. Volunteer somewhere
35. Read a dog training book
37. Read 6 books just for fun
38. Learn how to make cinnamon bread with dad
39. Learn how to make stuffing with mom
40. Spend a whole day with my brother
42. Have a reunion with the 805 girls!
43. Re-establish SPS dinners
46. Day drink with Jayne & Kara
47. Reconnect with an old friend
50. Meet with a financial planner
51. Open a Life Insurance Policy
55. Be Team Leader
57. Organize my files
59. Read 1 book to learn more about the Indian culture
61. Clean and organize my closet
62. Tweak our filing system and management of bills
63. Organize my cookbook
64. Organize the guest closet
65. Paint the guest bathroom
66. Touch up the paint in our house
67. Finish decorating our bedroom
79. Use our Ritz Carlton gift certificate
82. Drive a boat
83. Go to a concert
84. Mow someone's grass
86. Buy flowers for our house
87. Get a puppy
91. Find a hairstylist that I like
96. Go to a play
99. Go on a picnic
100. Go dancing

Goal # 35 Read a Dog Book

Jeff gave me this book for Christmas and I read it on our way to and from Kansas. Cesar Milan, the dog whisperer, has a unique style of dog training. His advice went against everything I'd instinctually do (i.e. treating the puppy like a baby). But his explanation for why being a tough "pack leader" is important makes perfect & logical sense to me now. I'm looking forward to reading some of his other books before we pick up our pup. Jeff and I agree that this book will be an invaluable reference when we bring our dog home!