On Setting Goals
Can you guys even believe it’s November? Wow…time really flies (when you’re having fun? When you’re getting old? When you’re busy?)! I’m currently sitting in the gym’s cafe, sipping at my black Americano with some cinnamon and thinking about how quickly time is going. Before you know it, Christmas will be here, including all the festivities that come along with it, and then it will be New Year’s (and subsequent New Year’s resolution) time. Because I don’t want the time to creep up on me and thanks to several posts from blogger friends that have made me think, I thought I’d write a bit about goals today and – GASP! – set some myself.
You see, I’m really not a goal setter. I’ve spoken about this in the past and how ironic it is that, as a personal trainer, we talk about goals and I occasionally have people set them (probably less than other trainers as that’s just not how I’m geared). I know all about HOW to set goals (make them S.M.A.R.T! – specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and set with a time frame) but have never been driven by them. I’m much more about my top two rules or bottom line:
Move More.
Eat Real Food (and less of it).
Source: optimisticminds.tumblr.com via Erica on Pinterest
…more my style.
Those are the only real mottos fitness-wise I live by. I try to get some kind of movement in daily, alternating tough workout days (like today’s! Whew!) with easier days, sometimes lifting heavy and often running a long run on the weekend because I love the long, slow movement and being outside. But besides that, I typically don’t set goals in the gym but rather try to maintain.
I’m much the same when it comes to how I eat – stay away from processed foods, stop before I’m full and make most of what I eat REAL. However, I don’t really deny myself either. If you’re over and you bring wine, I’ll have a glass (but only one, and usually small!); if I want something sweet, I’ll usually have it; I simply try not to go overboard.
Often I wonder what I would look like, how healthy my insides would be, how much stronger and leaner I would be if I actually followed a workout or nutrition program.
Source: Uploaded by user via Jodie-Anne on Pinterest
I’ve kind of implemented that with intermittent fasting and still do one 24 hour fast a week (Mondays!) and eat the “Lean Gains” style the rest of the week: fasting in the morning with an a.m. workout followed by my first meal around noon (usually a green shake with all real foods in it!), second meal around 3 pm (usually salad with a protein) and a meal around 7 or 8 pm. But I still include random bites here and there that aren’t helping my waistline – you guys know I’ve blogged recently about gaining 5 lbs which, while not a lot, is more on a 5’2″ frame and will.not.go.away. I’m weighing myself less but whether I fast or not, workout or not, everything stays the same.
…maybe it’s time to tighten up?
I love the Turkey Day Challenge that Janetha is doing with her gym, GPP Fitness (click the link to read the stipulations – love the way this challenge is set up!) and can get behind MizFit’s commitment to eat no processed foods for 30 days. With their support (hi, guys!) and my personal desire to clean up my act a bit, here’s my challenge!
The refined sugar? Well, tis the season! So I’ll simply have to be prepared with more protein-packed snacks and watch my intake. The processed foods won’t be too bad, but it means watching myself as I occasionally take a leftover (free) muffin from work (healthier made, but still a muffin’s like cake in my mind!), the rare birthday party (which I’m pretty good at celebrating the person and not the food), and bites of ice cream at home out of the freezer (one bite never stays at one bite anyway!).
The water won’t be a huge challenge, but I’ll have to keep up with my drinking throughout the day and not leave it to the end.
And why the HITT? Well, as I said above, I’ve been bouncing around with my workouts and I know I’m not getting the most out of them, so I’ve decided for these 30 days to stick with H(high )I(intensity) I(interval) T(training) and get 5 of those in a week, plus the KB swings and burpees, which honestly don’t take long, I can do at home and are a great metabolism booster.
Here’s what gets me most: I can commit to health and fitness stuff no problem, but connecting with God for 15 short minutes a day? So hard for me! If I claim that my relationship with Jesus is the most important of my life, I sure better live in such a way that backs it up. I can write and eat and breathe health and fitness but the real source of my life, joy and hope comes through Jesus Christ. So why is it so difficult for me to put aside some time – either with earlier wake ups or instead of reading blogs – to spend with him? This should be a longer time and is of greater importance that what 15 minutes gives, but I need to (for my soul!) get back into a consistent time of prayer, reading my Bible and walking with Jesus daily.
So…anyone else want in?! 
I’ve seen others’ challenges and made this one my own, and it’s more about setting a goal and sticking to it since that’s what I’m trying to work on in my life!
How am I to inspire others if I’m not challenging myself but teetering on the edge of mediocrity? I don’t want to simply bump along in life whether it concerns my fitness, nutrition, social or spiritual realms of life. Complacency is a scary thing! I want to inspire others and push myself to be better – not to get skinner or lose those 5 lbs or never miss a day reading my Bible but instead be working towards SOMEthing in each area of my life.
Source: Uploaded by user via Courtney on Pinterest
I hope you’ll join me in your own way, but as someone who doesn’t always set or follow goals, I won’t hold it against you if you don’t. 
Make it count, whatever you do today, and keep in mind that the holiday season is upon us! Be prepared for it in whatever way works for you so that you’ll be able to come through the other side happy, healthy and whole. (Hint: future posts along those lines + 2 product reviews yet to come!).
Live well & be well (and wish me luck!),
Bonnie
D5 Creation
Love this challenge, but I’m going to sit this one out. I’m trying hard to give myself a mental break from structure this month, so I’ll be ready for some serious structure ramping up in December. I’m here to support you though!
Heather @ Better With Veggies recently posted..Gear Up for Winter Running!
That’s a wise idea! This is all about right where you’re at – and you just ran a freakin’ marathon! …you deserve a mental and physical break, friend.
I’m in…sans burpees
I’m a rebel that way.
xo
Great ideas! I’m committed to the no processed food via Mizfit. And I love that her rules are that there are no rules. Do what makes it meaningful and what works for you!!
Michelle @ Eat Move Balance recently posted..Variety’s the Very Spice of Life
Yes! Love those “rules” as well – my kind of goal setting!
Well you are a MizFit after all!
Actually, the burpees won’t be hard for me (you know I not-so-secretly love them!) and the KB swings are so good for your whole body and 50 are done so quickly! – not the biggest commitment, but I’d like to stick with it for a month! If you ever want to get your burpee on, come to Calgary…and if not, come to Calgary anyway and we wont do burpees together. 
I love challenges, I’m currently working through 29 this year (hence my blog), but in the short term I’m giving crossfit a red hot go for the next 8 weeks, I started with my assessment yesterday and leave work for my first official session in 5 mins!
Good luck with your goals! And thanks for continued fitness inspiration!
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I know what you mean. I know all about setting goals, etc. but normally am not one for 30-day challenges per se. For me, if I set a goal for a set period of time, I know that I will just go back to my old ways once those days are done. I need to focus on making those healthy habits more consistent. But everything you’ve listed here are things that I’m working on, slowly but surely, except maybe the KB swings and burpees
Love this idea Bonnie!
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted..2012 O’Neill Coldwater Classic
I usually set more general goals for myself. Not always SMART, but smart for me! This time of the year, I’m focusing on remaining calm and not getting caught up in all the holiday madness. We’re scaling back at my house this Christmas and focusing on what really matters; family and tradition!
Tamara recently posted..Food guilt | labelling food ‘good’ and ‘bad’ undermines healthy eating
I too am not a great goal setter. Overall my lifestyle is healthy but am I out of my comfort zone? No.
Because I’m not yet 2 weeks post marathon, I’m going easy(ish) this month but am going gluten free and unprocessed with lots of yoga in there too.
You’re so right, Christine – consistency is key! I’m here for you if you decide to throw some KB swings and burpees into the mix, but either way, let’s keep supporting one another to stay consistent!
Smart for you – I like that! And that’s a great goal to remain calm during this season – it shouldn’t be madness, right? I love that you’re focusing on family and tradition – what neat things to keep everything in perspective! Thanks for the comment, Tamara.
2 weeks post-marathon – so amazing! Easy(ish) sounds good after that! I’m with you on not being big on goals…hopefully we can stay consistent without as much structure as others need.
BOOM! Those are some challenges! I’m digging the images and what you are accomplishing. And I love your handstand-cartwheel move.
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Thanks for the encouragement – means a lot to me, Brian! And that fun handstand-cartwheel shot? Located in the beautiful Golden State (of course) near Half Moon Bay. You always remind me of home, and now with you’re encouragement I’ll keep focused on these 30 days and then beyond! Thanks for the comment.
ahhh you are fighting the 5 pounds too! I absolutely love this post Bonnie…you have a knack for being very inspiring. I wish we lived close by so we could go have coffee because I so relate to you on many levels. I have the same issue with not making goals…and spending time with God as well. Glad you are trying to get focused and I wish you the best with it. I can’t decide if doing any kind of diet plan is right for me. After the marathons, I’ll re-evaluate. Thanks for your comment today, btw!
Ericka @ The Sweet Life recently posted..Philadelphia Marathon: I’m Doing It
man oh man, i am so guilty of the 15 minutes with God. I leave my devotional out all day so i can sit and do it, yet some days it get passed, like today! I love the challenges, thats how i am. NO goals, just challenges.
lindsay recently posted..Things to Come & New Finds
you know i love challenges, so i am a huge fan of this! also a huge fan of the cute graphic you made
excited to follow you on it. xoxo
janetha recently posted..let’s talk small talk.
Me? Cute graphic? Thanks, J!
Excited to hear updates about your challenge too since you sparked this in me (for which I should say “thanks!”). 
Yes! Likewise! I think many of us struggle with being still in such a fast-paced world. In fact, bed’s around the corner and I’m going to spend some time reading right now.
Love you, friend! Let’s be goal-less but full of challenges together.
We are SO on the same page right now, Ericka…I definitely understand how you feel. I’d love to live close to you for coffee chats, runs and accountability too! I still remember how you were the one who invited me to run with you and the big group the first morning of the Healthy Living Blog conference last year (or was that already 2 years ago? in Philly?)…so kind and welcoming.
Let’s keep in touch as we both move toward our goals and support one another! 
Thanks again for your note, Ericka.