Goals

This post is long overdue (sorry to my loyal readers!).

Lately, it seems like there has been a lot of talk regarding goals. It's a common question as I get nearer to a goal weight, then what? My goals are not just about the number on the scale; they are about strengthening my relationship with Jesus and becoming healthier.  Those are the big goals- have a strong, vibrant relationship with Jesus. Be able to rely on Him in EVERY situation. He is my strength when I am weak. I need to spend more time in the Word and more time with God in order to be able to rely on Him. In order to do that, I will read my devo at least 4 morning out of the week and spend quality time in prayer every night. I will be obedient to God.

The other big goal is to be as healthy as I can be. Of course with these goals, come smaller, more measurable goals.

Awhile ago a friend and I were discussing my journey and she said you made small goals for yourself along the way. In all honesty, I hadn't really thought about it. I was just doing what needed to be done at the time and then doing better the next time around. But she was right, I was setting small goals for myself, achieving them and setting the next one. One of them being to run a 5k, so I did that. Then I ran a 8k. Unfortunately, that is the longest race I have done to date, but who knows, maybe there's a 10k or half marathon in my future?!

So that is what I am going to keep doing- setting small goals for myself to attain a much larger goal. In my head, I have set some goals, and then my trainer will push me and BOOM goal accomplished before I could even think about it!

One of my goals was to be able to run the entire time to the top of Elver Hill by the end of summer. There was one day that he was like everyone is going to keep running until the fence at the top. The definition of running is both feet at not on the ground at the same time, so I tried and you know what...I thought I was going to die, but I did it. Now that hasn't happened every single time I've run up Elver, but it's progress and I know I can do it with a little motivation and positive thinking.

Another one of my goals is to be able to do 20 good toe pushups by my one year anniversary of bootcamp (October 15). The other day, after running the hill, and running around, we had to do 15 pushups. Naturally, I did them on my knees. The trainer said "Everyone should do them on your toes. Everyone is strong enough to do them on your toes." Clearly, he wasn't talking to me, so I stayed on my knees. Until he repeated himself- alright, maybe he was talking to me, on the toes it is. And just like that 15 toe pushups! They weren't the best, and 20 is still on my goal list, but I'm closer than I was a year ago.

I want to be able to  plank (front, left and right side) for one minute each. If I'm being honest and I really tried, I probably could do that right now. I just seem to give up to easily at this point. So by the end of September 2013- I'll be doing some awesome planking!

Of course, there is always the coveted pullup-- just one, one is all I'm asking for by the end of the year. I'm getting so close though- I can almost feel it.

The other day at bootcamp, we had to so step ups onto the picnic table (yes, the part that you would normally eat off of). I tried it once, and then the trainer said give it one more try, so I did. I wasn't quite there yet, but he said goal for next spring. Awesome! Add it to the goal list- step ups onto the picnic table by spring 2014. Another bootcamper joked that my legs probably aren't going to grow, it's true..they aren't going to grow, but the muscles will get stronger and my balance will improve and before you know it I'll be stepping all over picnic tables.

My last goal is to be eating healthy 90% of the time. I have to be able to give myself cheat meals and indulge once in awhile, but not all the time. Since I have been on this journey for over a year and half, sometimes it's hard to remember the sacrifices that I made in the beginning.

I'm sure that more goals will come, and these goals will expand (more pushups, faster time up Elver, longer plank, etc), but for now this is what I'm focusing on- being obedient to God in my decisions so that I can accomplish these goals.