TIP OF THE DAY - MONDAY

CONGRATULATIONS!!! You have worked hard for an entire month to help make your dreams a reality. By now, you are well on your way to achieving all of your goals. Use what you've learned here to keep going and set new goals in the future.
I am not sure what if anything you have learned, but as for me starting February 1st I am going to write in my journal more again, put a sticker on the calendar every day I watch what I eat and I am going to print out copies of my goal which is to lose 50 pounds this year and I am going to print out my mantra which is, "IF IT IS TO BE, IT'S UP TO ME". I am doing pretty good about exercising at least 5 days a week sometimes 6 days and I like that I have increased the exercising time to 35-40 minutes. Look at your goals, review them, revise them if necessary, write them down and read them several times a day. Know your goals so you can work on them daily. It is very simple if you don't know what your goals are how do you expect to achieve them.

TIP OF THE DAY - SUNDAY

GET BACK ON TRACK... Slip ups are normal and they don't mean failure. Instead of beating yourself up for your mistakes, tell yourself that one error doesn't mean much. Don't wait until tomorrow, next week, or next month to get back on track. Start right away. Put your mistake into the past and move forward. Even the most successful people in the world make mistakes.
This is such a common sense tip. Too often when we mess up instead of getting back on track we tell our self we messed up already this week, we might as well just enjoy the rest of the week and eat what we want and then start again on Monday. The problem with this thinking is that many, many times Monday doesn't come for several weeks and we find that we have put on several pounds and we are discouraged and wanting to give up. We can't do that so tell yourself; just suck it up, take a big girl pill, put your big girl panties on, whatever you need to say to get yourself back on track where you know you want to be.

TIP OF THE DAY - SATURDAY

CREATE YOUR REALITY... The mind doesn't know the difference between imagined events and reality. Picture success. Try goal-related affirmations each day and your behavior will reflect what you want to be.
Okay this is an odd tip to me. I think it is like the quote, "as a man thinketh, so is he" or "you are what you eat". I just can't picture what it would be like to be skinny, just because it has been 30 plus years since I was skinny. I have tried it just does not work for me.

TIP OF THE DAY - FRIDAY

ADD VARIETY! To prevent boredom, try new things. Enroll in a class, find a local support group, try a new workout, or anything that keeps you excited.
This makes sense... but don't think it is going to be a chore to add a variety, it can be as easy as wearing different shoes to exercise, exercise in a different room, and if you walk outside, change up your route. Be creative. Sometimes I will exercise in jammies in the front room and that is just a tiny bit different but just enough of a change so I don't get bored.

TIP OF THE DAY - THURSDAY

GET THE RIGHT TOOLS... Sticking to your goals may require some supplies, like good shoes to exercise, or finance software to reduce debt. Choose the tools that keep you safe, first and foremost and help you measure your progress.
This is a good tip and one I never thought about. For our purposes, which is diet and exercise tools can really help. Good shoes for exercising, a small scale for measuring food if that is part of your diet program, a good bathroom scale for your weekly weigh-ins, and a journal or notebook for keeping track of your progress might all be helpful in reaching your goals. For me with the diet program I am in, I also needed a blender for mixing my shakes that I drink everyday.

TIP OF THE DAY - WEDNESDAY

CELEBRATE MILESTONES... While your long-term goal may be to lose 50 pounds, like me, each step lost is a step closer to your goal and each deserves recognition! Call a friend or write in your journal. You never know who you might inspire.
I love the rewards part of dieting. I do disagree the 1 pound losses. Yes I agree that every pound lost is a big deal but you can go up and down 1 or 2 pounds fairly easy so for me 5 pounds is a big deal. I celebrate them. I have lost 1/2 pound each week this new year. That isn't all that much and at this rate it will take me a year to lose that weight. But I am thrilled to be losing again. I just wished it was more of course.

TIP OF THE DAY - TUESDAY

DO LESS... Bombarding yourself with too many goals can be stressful. The more items you focus on, the more each task suffers from a lack of priority, attention and accuracy. Whittle down your to-do list to focus on what is really important.
I am one who loves to-do lists. The longer the list the more items I can check off and with each item checked off I feel like I am really accomplishing something. I use to-do lists when we are going camping, going to see family, getting Calvin ready to go hunting and with all the activities and lessons I am asked to do. The lists keep me on track and assured I will meet the goal date. I wish it worked that way with my weight. I don't have my to-do list for that. I set just two goals. I want to exercise at least 5 days a week and diet everyday. I want to lose at least 40 pounds this year.

TIP OF THE DAY - MONDAY

MAKE YOURSELF A PRIORITY... You do a lot for others, but tend to neglect yourself. Give yourself the care, attention and love that you need. Your goals are important and you deserve to take time for yourself each day in order to achieve them.
This is a good and hard tip to follow. Good tip in that it reminds us to take time for our self. I have said it before on here and I will remind you once again, "IF YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT YOURSELF WHO WILL? The hard part of this tip is very simply following it. We seem to have time for anyone and everyone but when it comes to our self we are either too tired, too busy, or just don't want to mess with it. PLEASE TAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF. Read a little longer, walk a little farther, take a longer bath or shower, just to relax, paint a room if that would relax you. Do something for yourself and START TODAY...

TIP OF THE DAY - SUNDAY

LEARN SOMETHING NEW THAT INSPIRES YOU. If you want to quit smoking for example read about successful quitters whose lives have improved, or about how smoking affects your health. Find new, specific tips for your current stage.
When I first started reading this I thought of learning or relearning something that inspires me in a different way. I want to start a new sampler quilt for my bed, so to me learning these new quilt blocks will inspire me to keep going with my diet because I want to have the finished quilt machine quilted and that can only be done when I lose another 40 pounds. That inspires me. Find out what inspires you and then just grow on that.
I just got out of a very hot shower, hoping it will help my chest cold and discovered that my smaller bath towel, that used to be used for my long hair now goes all the way around me. Talk about inspiration. Find something that you couldn't use or wear last year or the year before and now seems to work better. Keep a pair of jeans or a dress out that you can try on maybe once a month and see if that doesn't inspire you. Maybe we don't need something new we just need to be reminded of what inspired us before.

TIP OF THE DAY - SATURDAY

SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE... Could someone else benefit from what you have learned so far? Acting as a mentor can strengthen your own commitment to your goals and inspire others to create positive change in their own lives.
You know what? These tips from Sparkpeople are really pretty good. I like this one but I would just say you don't have to be a mentor and work a lot with others, just post a comment or post here on our blog. This is a great place to share your knowledge and that in turn will help motivate myself and others..

TIP OF THE DAY - FRIDAY

VISUALIZE...Sit comfortably, breathing deeply, with your eyes closed. Envision yourself reaching that goal. How has your life changed? How does it feel to accomplish it? Picture all the steps you took to reach that point and believe in yourself.
This is a cool tip, but I can't do it. I just can't picture myself any different than I am now. I look in a mirror and can't even believe it's me. I look like a old lady and not to be mean, I think I look like a mixture of my sisters and mother and there is nothing wrong with that. I do think I will be healthier and therefore I will be happier but I don't think I will be different.

TIP OF THE DAY - THURSDAY

ON A CALENDAR, PLACE A BIG STICKER, STAR, OR CHECK MARK ON EVERY DAY THAT YOU MET YOUR GOALS OR TOOK POSITIVE ACTION STEPS... Over time your calendar will become a visual reminder of your progress towards your long term goals. It will also remind you that the occasional bad day doesn't have to effect you in the long-run.
I really like this idea and I did it for a few months last year but stopped, probably because I was having more bad days than good. Maybe this will keep me on track.

TIP OF THE DAY - WEDNESDAY

WRITE ABOUT YOUR MOTIVATION IN YOUR JOURNAL... There are many reasons you chose your goals-better health, self esteem, or happiness. Put all these reasons on paper and read them when you need motivation.
This is a good idea and since we are talking about journals, I would like to remind you that you do not have to write everyday. I think that is why I stopped writing in my journal last November. After writing almost every day for two years I just got tired of writing, "NOTHING". I am going to try to write about the week on Sundays. My life is pretty simple, plain and boring and so I am going to slow down on the journal. It is important to keep a journal just to keep track of what and how you are doing, to write down your goals and progress on how you are reaching your goals and what seems to work for you. Your journal can really help you get or stay motivated.

TIP OF THE DAY - TUESDAY

AVOID SABOTEURS. People will try to persuade you to go against your plan, whether they feel guilty themselves or jealous of you. Ignore them. Share your goals with positive people and stay away from these topics around the negative ones.
I have friends who once in a while, especially on a Monday or Tuesday will bring me a big Dr. Pepper and a 3 Musketeer or two. They might know that I am having a bad day, am suffering from cabin fever, am missing Calvin or just because I am loved and they are thinking about me. I love them for it. They don't mean to be saboteur. They don't mean to be and I am a grown adult and can say no thank you, but I DON'T. I tell myself that just one soda and one candy bar won't hurt. But I am not fooling anyone especially myself. Be very careful of well meaning friends and family members. Their love and friendship can add pounds.

TIP OF THE DAY - MONDAY

YOU'RE HALFWAY THERE... Today look back on your progress and reevaluate your goals. Are you on track with your timetable? Are you still motivated? Is your goal still important to you? Make changes to your goals, if necessary, to keep the momentum going strong.
This is a hard one to do without getting discouraged. Yes I am still motivated, I even doubled my exercise time. Yes my goal is still very important to me. Am I still on track? NO NO NO...I am never going to lose this last 40 pounds the way I am going. Plateau last two weeks of January. Lost one pound the first week of January and it looks like I am going to be on a plateau at least tomorrow unless something miraculous happens over night and doubt that. Don't get upset with yourself, like it says REMEMBER where you started and pat yourself on the back with your progress so far.

TIP OF THE DAY - SUNDAY

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TECHNOLOGY... Sign up for motivational emails or text messages, set reminders on your computer, or have a friend call and check in on you. These little things will keep you focused no matter where you are.
I love my laptop. I spend a several hours on it every day, especially when Calvin is gone.I look up and read all kinds of diet tips. Some are very informational while others are way out there, but even the ones I don't do or even agree with they give me something to think about.

TIP OF THE DAY - SATURDAY

DEVELOP A PLAN B... Work, travel, or kids can and will disrupt your routine, so create alternatives such as walking during lunch, choose healthy fast foods, or wake up earlier. Doing something is always better than doing nothing.
This one is just for me because I WON'T exercise if Calvin is in the room. We have a plan B here. It is fairly simple, IF I am going to exercise he is going to leave, the room if not the house. VERY EFFECTIVE.

TIP OF THE DAY - FRIDAY

PRACTICE SAYING, THINKING AND WRITING POSITIVE THINGS ABOUT YOURSELF... acknowledge and take credit for the things you've done well, and recognize your abilities and talents. Keep a list to add to, think about, and read to yourself daily.
This is where your journals will come in handy. Speaking of journals... last week we talked about the importance of keeping one. Have you started one yet? I have a secret, I said I was going to start this past weekend and have not, but don't tell anyone. I am going to get off here and start mine again NOW.

TIP OF THE DAY - THURSDAY

DON'T EXPECT PERFECTION... You will make mistakes, you will mess up, and forget along the way. The key is persistence and a willingness to learn from your mistakes. Focus on what you have done right instead of dwelling on the negatives.
This was all of 2010 for me. I was up and down and ended right back where I was in January. The thing I have to remember as do you is that as long as we don't let our mistakes multiply and we learn from the mistakes rather then to keep repeating them and we get right back on track we are going to be okay. If we do then we will reach our goals and lose the weight we want to lose.

TIP OF THE DAY - WEDNESDAY

ENLIST A DIVERSE SUPPORT SYSTEM INSTEAD OF JUST ONE BUDDY. These people should be encouraging or knowledgeable in helpful ways, whether swapping healthy recipes, exercising with enthusiasm, or sharing weight loss tips.
I think we have this. Maybe not exercising with others, but the encouragement and even recipes and enthusiasm. You can all help by adding to this blog anytime. If you don't want to do the blog directly, just leave a comment or send me an email with articles, recipes, suggestions, or encouragement and I will add it for you.

TIP OF THE DAY - TUESDAY

A LITTLE MORE ABOUT SHARING... Share your goals and the plan to achieve them with family and friends for invaluable support and assistance. Providing in others is a powerful motivator for helping you remain consistence and persistent, Some may be willing to modify their own lives to help you giving up soda or watching the kids while you hit the gym for example.
I know this is important so I will start with me. I want to lose 40 pounds this year. I have doubled my exercise time to 30-40 minutes instead of 20 minutes. I am being more careful with my calories and of course I am also drinking all the water I am suppose to. I want to get to writing in a journal as well. I know this sounds like a repeat but if it gets us, and by that I mean me, to get busy and on track again then I guess this is worth it.

TIP OF THE DAY - MONDAY

READY SET GO...GOALS? Okay it is Monday and we were suppose to spend the weekend getting ready to lose the weight we want and reach our goals, so may I just ask you;
1) Have you set your goals? 2) Do you have a plan on how to achieve those goals? 3) Have you written down and posted your goals so you can see them? 4) Have you started a journal so you can keep track and monitor them? Now there is just one more step, well maybe 2 more. First, share your goals, if you are comfortable doing that, with others. It will help keep you motivated and it will keep you honest and second "JUST GET GOING..." Good luck and please drop me an email and let me know what your goals are and how you plan to achieve them. We will share them on here.

TIP OF THE DAY - SUNDAY

DON'T FORGET YOUR REWARDS... This week we have been talking about setting your goals, working on a plan to achieve those goals, and writing the goals down in a journal as well as posting them up so you can see. As you are working on all these steps this weekend don't forget the rewards.
For each milestone you reach, plan something fun. Rather than using food or skipping a workout to celebrate, stay on track with; new clothes, a massage, a vacation, (I wish) a movie, a new book, a day off work or a gym membership.
I am down to babysitting just 2 days a week so I have way too much free time. I am going to make a new sampler quilt for my bed and so for one of my big rewards, maybe after I lose 40 pounds, I am going to have the quilt machine quilted. Little rewards for me are always new clothes, shoes, and jewelry. Maybe a little more practical would be a new book or a new DVD.

TIP OF THE DAY - SATURDAY

START A JOURNAL... This can be a simple notebook or a computer document. Use it to track your progress, record your successes and learn from your mistakes. When you have a bad day, use it to remember why you chose these goals and how far you have come.
I kept a journal all through 2009 and most of 2010 and then I think in November or October I got lazy and did not write. It really did help when I was writing everyday, if for no other reason than to remind myself what I was working for. It really can keep you motivated. It is a great place to write your thoughts, good or bad after all no one should be reading this unless you want them to. I have promised myself that I would start writing in mine again this weekend.

TIP OF THE DAY - FRIDAY

MAKE A REALISTIC TIMELINE TO STAY ON TRACK... Deadlines turn wishes into goals. Give yourself adequate time to complete each action step and choose a date when you hope to reach your overall goal. If you have not started working on your goals yet, today is a good day to start.
I know this says start today, but if you have been following this blog then you know that yesterday I said to review, write down your goals, and set your rewards, and start working on them Monday. So I guess it is up to you when you start.

TIP OF THE DAY - THURSDAY

LET'S TAKE A QUICK REVIEW... January's tips are going to be "31 days to unbreakable resolutions." We have talked about the importance of setting goals, of then writing them down and then coming up with a plan to achieve those goals.
Behavior experts say that it takes about one month to form a new habit, and many people try to create (or break) habits at the start of each year. With the right attitude and focus, you can stick to your New Year's resolutions and achieve long-term success.
This is the 6th of January and so this is a good time to take a few minutes and review what goals you have decided to work on. If you have chosen to work on a dozen goals, maybe that list should be cut some. Remember to start slow.
I love Mondays... Mondays are the start of a new week. This past Monday I added more time to my exercise program and am working harder on watching the calories. Take the next few days to evaluate your goals and your action plan for reaching them, then when you are sure you have the goals best for you set them in stone, (or paper) and start on Monday to achieve them.

TIP OF THE DAY - WEDNESDAY

DEVELOP AN ACTION FOR EVERY GOAL SET. For example, a healthy eating resolution may involve: learning more about good nutrition, visiting a dietitian, finding ways to adapt your recipes, buying containers to pick to pack lunches, learning how to prepare new foods, and planning extra time for shopping and cooking. Don't overwhelm yourself with every action step at once, but focus on a few things each day.
I am just going to stick with the metlife, or whatever it is called until I lose the 40 pounds as long as we can afford it. I am also going to to increase my exercise time from 20 minutes until 30 minutes and stick to 6 days a week instead of 5. We will see how that works to start. I do like the idea of setting the goal and then setting a plan to achieve that goal. I am hoping this works for me.

TIP OF THE DAY - TUESDAY

POST YOUR WRITTEN GOALS IN PLACES YOU WILL SEE THEM OFTEN-on your computer, on the fridge, on a mirror, in a picture frame on your desk, as a bookmark, in the car, and in your wallet. These reminders will keep you on track on keep you focus.
I really like this tip and I am going to print out about a dozen copies of my goal and see where all I can put them up. If it works like it is suppose to then having it posted through out the house and car is worth it.

TIP OF THE DAY - MONDAY

ARE YOUR GOALS SPECIFIC AND POSITIVE? Rather than vowing "to exercise", for example, reword each goal so that it is clear and measurable. "I will work out 30 minutes each day." OR "I will complete a 5K this year." OR "I will do a yoga DVD twice a week." These are all clearer and set your goals out there for you to strive for.
I just want to lose my 40 pounds during 2011 and I will do everything I can to make that happen. That is my one and only goal.

TIP OF THE DAY - SUNDAY HAPPY NEW YEAR!

31 DAYS TO UNBREAKABLE RESOLUTIONS... If you haven't yet settled on your top goals for the year, do so today. Writing down your goals in specific terms, means you are more likely to achieve them.
Today is Sunday and what better day and time to take a few minutes and write those goals down in a journal or just on a sheet of paper and stick them on the fridge. Just make sure you can see them often as a reminder of what they are, remember also to list your rewards along with your goals. This works for me every time.