Take time to make time

Hello, friends!

Before I talk too much about what is on my mind today, don't forget that Thursday is the beginning of December-- so it will kick off the December challenge for a healthier lifestyle!! What goals do you want to achieve?!?! What needs to happe

n for you to finish 2011 feeling healthy and happy!?! If you're unsure what I'm talking about, my last post talked about my December challenge and my own personal goals!

Here's what is on my mind today, though: Take time to make time. Lately with all the stuff I have had going on, it feels like the day is over just after it starts! And no one (read: not me) wants to work out at night! If you can make a night time workout work for you, good job! I can't. 8 p.m. is my limit or else I will be up all night!

So I told myself this morning, I'm going to take time to make t

ime. I keep waiting for a time when I "won't be so busy" or I will have spare time, but frankly, there is always work to be done. And if not work, there are always expectations to meet!

So tonight I am going to the gym right at 6 p.m. There are tons of other things I need to do (grade papers), but they will be there when I get back. It's important I keep on top of my physical game.

As graduation and the holidays come, I won't be less busy-- the opposite in fact! So now is the time for me to learn to plan.

What can you do to make time for yourself? How can you set yourself up for success as we close out 2011?

Have a terrific Tuesday,

Sarah

p.s. In case you want to know about my New Orleans trip, I can summarize it in one picture of me with one of my favorite professors on Bourbon Street!:

December Challenge!!!

Hello, all!

I hope you had a lovely and restful Thanksgiving! I know I did. I spent most of Yesvember (that's right, Yesvember) taking each day to be thankful! It has been a wonderful month, and it made me realize how many blessings there are around me each day that I sometimes take for granted. God has put our lives together so intricately, it's humbling to think that He took that kind of time.

And now I present to you my latest project: The December Challenge!

The December Challenge is based on a simple premise: I want to finish 2011 with a bang! Instead of holiday weight gain (which I may have experienced a bit over Thanksgiving break), I want to finish the year strong! So I am making a challenge-- what do you want to accomplish for the month of December? How can you promote a healthy lifestyle that will propel you into 2012?

My December Challenge Goals:

1. Be active 6x a week. It can be little things or a full out gym work out, but my goal is to get some activity in 6 times a week.
2. Avoid drinking sugary drinks. My weakness is sugary drinks. Soda pop, sugary coffee drinks, hot chocolate, etc. But it's such a shame to drink my points plus because it just leaves me hungry! So, no sugary drinks for the month of December.
3. Walk 50 cumulative miles over the 4 weeks. In all this activity, I would like to log 50 miles of either walking or running over the course of December. This sounds like a big number, but it is actually quite attainable.

So those are my December Challenge Goals! Who is with me in the December Challenge? What is your goal?

Happy Thanksgiving,

Sarah

Planning!!!

Today I have something on my mind: PLANNING!! Not urban planning (though I do love that). I'm talking about planning ahead for weight loss!

I have had a really hard time staying on track lately, and it hit me today: I haven't been planning ahead! I have been caught off guard by obstacles which throw me off my points plus plan! So tonight (with the help of a skype conference with my mom and sister) I planned out tomorrow's meals, that way I don't get to dinner time and say, "Shoot, no points plus left."

We'll see if it helps me get back on track. I want to knock off some extra weight because I want a cushion in case the holidays hit me harder than expected.

Honest truth, though, October is my most difficult month for staying on track. Sort of glad it's over, although it's a blast. My birthday, 2 of my best friends' birthdays, homecoming, other tailgates, and candy everywhere-- there are many obstacles! Plus, this year I had celebrated finishing my research! Finally, Halloween was a ton of fun, but full of candy, etc! My friends and I went as Sesame Street characters! I was Big Bird!

Needless to say, I made it through the month, but I did not lose extra weight like I wanted. So, let's see if my plan ahead strategy works! Vacationing this weekend-- but with my family, so it will be AWESOME to have support!!

Tune in next time when I talk more about Yesvember! Have a good weekend!