DETERMINED

I'm gonna cover a lot here....going forward my plan is to make more frequent posts (but much shorter!) It seems like if I let a couple of days go by it turns into a week without me even noticing....anyone else?!?!

MY ONE WORD
First thing I want to talk about is my ONE-WORD for 2013. I thought I was the last person on earth to hear about this idea, but when I posted it there were a lot of people who were with me in my ignorance :) Here's the idea, instead of making New Years' Resolutions you think of one word. One word that inspires you, represents the change you want to make or the person you want to become; one word that will motivate and keep you on track as you try to reach your goals.

My word: DETERMINED.

I have SO many goals that I've set for myself this year. I have big picture goals and LOTS of small ones along the way. One of the main things I really want to accomplish this year is to be more forgiving with myself. Usually, I'm an all or nothing kind of girl. This is a serious disadvantage when I take-on something new or when it comes to things I want to achieve. What happens is any little slip-up and I throw in the towel. That's it...I failed! What I need to do is accept that there are going to be challenges and that I'm going to mess-up and make mistakes. I need to forgive myself, really THINK about why the mistake happened and what I can do to prevent it in the future...and then....MOVE ON....MOVE FORWARD.

Duh right? But that's always been a problem for me. No more. I'm DETERMINED to meet the goals I've set for myself. That pursuit and constant effort toward improvement will be an on-going process. I'm in-it to win-it...so this year...I'm seeing things through.

THE COMPACT
The goal and commitment we made to do The Compact (for one month) is in full swing. I am really proud of the work I've been doing to declutter and STOP mindlessly purchasing "stuff" we really don't need.

Here are some things I've done:

-Unsubscribed from over 30 store email lists and flash sale groups. Seriously, it's no wonder that every time I got online I'd end-up shopping. My inbox was flooded with emails ALL DAY LONG. This simple step has made a huge difference. If I don't SEE the ads and the specials I'm not tempted to even look. KEEPIN' IT REAL CONFESSION: I haven't unsubscribed from zulily or Livingsocial...just...yet....LOL.

-Donating unused items! I've been going through different rooms and piles, a little at a time so it's not too overwhelming. I've made several trips to Goodwill, The Catholic Worker House and a couple of other local charitable organizations. It's embarrassing to me to think of how much we have in our home, that is just sitting...when there people with REAL needs. It was a good feeling knowing that I was giving things to people who really needed them.

-I've been really serious about sticking to lists when shopping for groceries and staying in the GROCERY section of the store. As soon as I vary from that path and head toward my usual "lap" around Target...things get tricky. KEEPIN' IT REAL CONFESSION: Yesterday I made my first non-essential NEW purchase that was in direct violation of our commitment....I got my daughter a pair of shoes....50% off...BUT...I'm keepin 'em. Sorry...they go with her special Birthday dress perfectly. In reality she didn't need a new pair of shoes...she could have wore a different pair that didn't match...but that just won't work with my OCD nature.

-A few things have come up that kinda felt like "cheats" but I don't think they were. I figure I'll put them out there and you can all judge for yourselves. I had some things that I ordered online (prior to taking-on The Compact challenge). Part of me thought that if I were really committed, I'd return them...but I'm not...so sue me. One package had some dresses I ordered for Harper before Christmas...and they came all the way from Australia....and they're GORGEOUS. One is for her Birthday. Not going back. Another was a Christmas gift I ordered for her that didn't come in time...so I decided to keep it and set it back for her Birthday. Another thing...a big purchase...we got NEW mattresses for each of the kids' beds. They needed them...and it just wasn't something I was willing to buy used. So there...I've confessed. But really...part of the nice thing about The Compact is you can make your own rules. I don't plan on bending them so I can just go out shopping all the time, but clearly...there are some situations that I didn't really think about before.

Overall I feel really proud of how we've been doing. I'm going to keep doing better...and I really (REALLY) like how much it makes me THINK about the crap we buy. Really...crap...stuff we don't need.

FARRELL'S
One of my BIG goals this year is to get HEALTHY. I know there will be plenty of posts on this topic...so I'm just going to touch on the surface here. Bottom line, I am in terrible shape and feel awful....every...single...day.

I had joined Weight Watchers over the summer and was doing great. When I followed the program, it worked. But then, the holidays came...I got off-track and never went back. Story of my life ya'll. The problem for me has always been making time and really committing to doing something like this for myself...FOREVER. Not just for a few months.

I felt like I needed to do something drastic and really just get after it. So....I signed-up for the 10 Week Bootcamp at Farrell's Extreme Body Shaping.

Let me just say...YIKES! I know what I'm in for...I did the program before (between pregnancies). I know it works and I am DETERMINED to push myself and really commit to this program.

We had orientation on Saturday. After sit-ups, push-ups, a 4 minute step-test, measurements and horrifying "before" pics...we ran the mile. I seriously almost DIED. I have a cold...and I inhaled a cough drop about a quarter mile in. So...that was awesome - LOL! I looked like a flippin' lunatic. After I hacked up the coughdrop and stopped hyperventilating I finished (walking) the rest...I can't lie...I felt GOOD. Out of shape...yeah...but it felt GOOD that I was there doing something about it....finally.

Tonight I made a TON of food for the week...diced chicken, broiled tilapia filets, roasted asparagus, whole wheat penne pasta. Lots to grab and go.

Tomorrow is my first "real" day. I can't lie...I'm nervous...I know what to expect, but still. Plus...I'm frickin' SORE from all that testing stuff. I mean seriously....every time I cough my ribs and stomach hurt and my legs have been killing me all day.

I just keep telling myself that every day I'm getting stronger than the day before...even if I don't FEEL that way - lol!

Okay...PHEW...I warned ya...it was gonna be a long one!

AND...I promise to start checking in more frequently...it helps me remember more of the details of what I'm doing if I track it right away anyways :)

~Audrey