checking in

So it's been nearly a month since I set my 2013 goals.  I thought a post on how those are coming along would be nice. What you will note is that I am not perfect, but I am doing really well at goal # 7 and giving myself a break when I falter.

Here goes...

1. Set (attainable) goals for the new year (check!)...DONE!

2. Complete my Facebook workout challenges- 2 girlfriends I met while on the board of Girls on the Run (both mommas themselves) started a monthly workout challenge FB group recently. I just joined this week. They are "kick your butt" workouts, and my goal is to do them each week- no matter the time. I will make the time.  They can be done in my home so no excuse about not having time to actually make it out to the gym

I have had really great weeks where I get in all workouts and then some. I have also had weeks like this one where it's Saturday and I have only gotten in 2 workouts.  Have I given my all during those 2 workouts? You bet. Are 2 workouts better than no workouts? Absolutely!  Work this week was a bit wacky with an office move, and soreness from moving and unpacking boxes + mental exhaustion after dealing with some challenging situations (Student Affairs never gets boring!) led me to give myself a bit of a break physically. Some morning yoga today, though, was very refreshing.

3. Register for a 10K race in the Spring. I have never run a 10K. 5K,7 miler, 5 miler, half marathon, even a sprint triathlon have all been in my running repertoire, but never a 10K. I really, really wanted to run the Nashville Women's Half this  year, but working + baby juggling has hampered the whole get up and run 10 miles on a Saturday morning bit. I'll get there- maybe in 2014. For this year, a 10K is where I will re-join the running world.

DONE! I am running the Talk Walk Run 10K on April 27th. What I love about this is that it benefits Hear Indiana, which is an organization near and dear to a sweet friend I met through church.  
4. Train for said 10K. Thankful for our baby jogger- a wonderful Christmas gift!

I have downloaded a training plan and begun some pre-conditioning for this. When it was nice and warm this week I even went on a 20 minute easy run outside. No jogger this time, but I do look forward to sharing my runs with my little boy soon enough.
5. Change my attitude- I will make the most of my time at home rather than wishing I had more of said time at home.

Still need to work on this. Being a working mom is TOUGH. Mentally and physically challenging each and every day. Some days I feel like I am a champ! Other days I just feel like I want to crawl into a corner and eat my hair.
6. Go to bed no later than 10 pm each week night. Yes, I will do this. If dishes lie in the sink over night, so be it. I will be in bed by 10 pm to hopefully get at least 7 full hours of sleep each night (barring the occasional wake up from baby C).

Not doing so well with this. Most nights I think I do this, but I do bring work home (part of  my flexible work hours which I really appreciate!) and I am teaching a class this semester on top of my regular work load, so that leads to some late nights (especially if I do try to get in gym time in the evenings).
7. Give myself a break. Ha! Perhaps the hardest one on here. I am not perfect.

I am getting better at this. I am no longer "throwing in the towel" when I don't get in all 4 workouts, follow the cleaning schedule I created, or make a perfect dinner. I am doing better at stating where I need help and where I need to be ok with something not getting done at the perfect time or in the perfect way.
8. Read (for fun!) at least 5 days per week. Let's be real, I should be doing this 7 days per week, but starting with at least 5, I know I can do it.

Success. I am reading two really great books right now (one for the Kindle and a good old fashioned paperback for my before bed reading)- I am the Messenger by Marcus Zusack and 11/22/63 by Stephen King. Both page turners. Both involving complete suspension of reality. Both complete escapes for me.
9. Read to baby C every single night. This is hard as he would rather chew books than be read to. But, I want to do this. I love reading aloud and snuggling with my little guy. In my next life, I will be a children's librarian.

Yep. We love Eric Carle, Dr. Suess, and Sandra Boynton!

10. Turn OFF the TV (or at least enter a room in my house while my husband watches it) at least one hour before bed (so, at 9 pm most nights). I want to use the final hour before bed for reading, meditating, writing, thinking, just being- unplugged.

Ishy ish ish ish. I don't conscientiously do this. It does happen though :)

11. Get OFF the computer, iPhone, iPad at least TWO hours before bedtime each night.

I do sometimes have to violate this to get work done since I do work from home in the evenings. But I am trying to make that the only reason I am "plugged in" at night.
12. Create a monthly household cleaning schedule. One that is simple, easy to follow, and one that does not make me feel like all I do on the weekends is clean. I am looking to Pinterest for the inspiration.

Complete! I follow it most weeks...ish :) It at least helps me feel a little more organized.  If I miss Tuesday's vacuuming, I just seek to be better at #7, give myself a break, and take up that chore the next Tuesday (unless the carpets are exceedingly in need).
13. Go meat-less at least one day per week. I have heard of others doing this. I want to start doing this- for my health, my family's health, and for our environment. Thank you, Peas and Thank You, for recipes that will make this more enjoyable.

I have not done this as consciously as I want, but I have done it. I am also focusing on more whole and natural foods in our diet.  This week has been a good week for that!  We love our Green Bean Delivery.


14. And yes, I continue to drink good coffee and read good books (see #8 above)!