November Goals – Starting Today

When I work with my health coaching clients the first thing we do is set out 1 month, 3 month and 6 month goals, however setting the goals just isn’t enough it’s what comes after.  Once you set your goals it’s time to make action steps which are the steps you need to take to achieve your goals.  Below are my goals for November (which I am starting today October 26, 2011) and the action steps I will be taking to achieve my goals.

1. Exercise 5-6x per week and yoga 7x per week. I am currently training for my first half marathon but I know I need to step up my cross training, weights and yoga. To help increase my exercise I am hosting a  November yoga challenge; 30 days of yoga and there is an incentive for those who want to participate. I will be doing Option B; to help motivate me I will do at least one class per week either at a local studio or at our gym.  I am also doing 3 days of running per week per my training schedule (Jeff Galloway method). For the other 2-3 days I will go to the gym withm y husband to do cross training (swimming, biking, elliptical) and of weights. 
   
2. Drink more water. Each day I will have 1 glass of water upon waking up and then upon arriving to work fill up my 1L cup at work at least twice (drinking all of it).  Evenings I will then drink at least additional liter of water.  On weekends I’ll carry a water bottle with me so that I can stay hydrated no matter where I am.
3. Cut back on alcohol. This has proven to be more of a challenge since my husband starting brewing his own beer.  Most nights I only have at max one drink (if any) however I want to take steps to continually improve my health.  So from now on Monday-Thursday no drinks and setting a 2 drink per day max on weekends.
4. Keep my kitchen clean. Between my husband brewing and me cooking almost three meals per day our kitchen can get messy and a messy kitchen is no fun to cook in.  To help keep my kitchen clean I am going to spend 30 minutes per day picking up my kitchen.  If the kitchen is already clean or it takes less than 30 minutes to clean it then I will spend the remaining time picking up another area in the house.
5. Do something for me (and him).  This month the Hubz and I are going to use one of our Living Social deals to go get ourselves a massage because we desire it.  We work hard and rarely treat ourselves to the spa.  It is really important to take time to take care of yourself.  So I am going to go and schedule an appointment by Sunday night for sometime this month.

I just realized I forgot all about updating you on my September goals and blogging about my October so here we go!

Review of September 2011 Goals

1. Start Training for my first half-marathon.  Two 30-45 minute runs and one mileage run per week PLUS two days of cross training and at least one day of yoga. <—I started this but it was abruptly cut short due to Neil’s biking accident.  In other news thought Neil and I have signed up for a new half marathon for February!

2. Meal Plan.  Neil and I are both training for our first half marathon and part of training is eating well and learning what our bodies need.  Additionally, we have 4 months to figure out what the best fuel for us is when it comes to long run days. In order to keep on track we need to continue to improve our diet and incorporate new healthy foods that are good for runners. <–This is going really well

3. Organize my kitchen. <—–Did not complete last month. My kitchen is by no means a mess but it just isn’t in top order as I would like it to be.  I actually cleaned out my fridge this morning and it felt great.  Looking forward to doing more.<—I started!

4. Early to bed, Early to Rise.  <—–Still need to work on. Lately we have been more like Late to Bed, Early to Rise and it is starting to wear on me.  My goal is to be in bed by 9:30pm with my book and read until I fall asleep.  Then up by 5am to work, stretch and/or workout (not necessarily in that order). <–Going really well! 

5. Read two new books. I haven’t decided which ones yet but I need to read more. I only read one book last month and again did not achieve my goal.<–Did not happen.

October Goals

1. Run 3 days per week and start my half marathon training (again).  Since Neil got in his bike accident our dreams of doing the Disney Half have been put on hold so we decided to sign up for a new half marathon! This time it is in New Hampshire and well in February- but it’s going to be so much fun!

2. Improve my photo taking. Since I am spending more time in the kitchen creating recipes again I need to take more time to improve my photos.  I had been doing well at that and then my blog worthy recipe creating was limited so I got out of practice and now it’s time to get back into it.

3. Finish the giant book I started.  I just started Paul Pitchford Healing With Whole Foods, it’s a huge book and I’m really excited to finish it this month.

4. Do yoga twice per week.  I miss yoga and have not been doing enough at all and it’s time to commit and get back into it.

5. Drink more water. It’s funny how I can drink tons of water some weeks and others not enough.  I notice a huge difference and that means I need to drink more.

What are you October Goals?