Category: New Year New You

The New Year: You, Part II

The New Year: You, Part II
Written by Rhonda Franz of Coffee House Mom

Back in the 80’s, Clairol had a television commercial using the slogan, “It’s You, Only Better.” This clever marketing campaign complimented women everywhere on their natural beauty, while also encouraging each woman to go one step more and add a bit of pizzazz to their locks.

I propose we approach 2012 in the same way. It’s February. How far have you come with those commitments you made last month?

Let’s face it: these resolutions tend to go by the wayside after a few weeks. Perhaps we were all ridiculously super-rested, hung-over on holiday drinks, or just so happy to be off the plane after traveling cross-country with toddlers that we’re pumped-up about a clean slate—so much so that we are overly ambitious about potential accomplishments.

It is time now to really think through your resolutions. The Excitement Of The New Beginning has worn off. You have taken down the tree, and stopped mourning the fact that the peppermint bark is all gone.

Make sure you really have the resolve to, you know, resolve.

Continue those things you didn’t follow through with last year. Now, this might look discouraging, but it will work. I’ll help.

Think, “2011: The Sequel,” or “2011, Part II.” It sounds like the title of a really bad movie, but will help you get the job done. Or at least feel good about your effort.

Last year I started out with a resolution to de-clutter and organize my house. It is now February, one year, and one month later. There are still stacks of paper in the office and piles of stuff in the garage, but I also had another child—increasing the workload, and started sending one to school—increasing the paper load. I organized only a few home spaces, but, it didn’t get worse. I’m proud of that.

For 2012, I am moving onward and upward with that same goal. My list starts out like this:

1.      Continue organizing house – room by room.
2.      Bring everyone else in family on board with the idea.
3.      Keep on working with #1, even though you haven’t accomplished #2. (There is absolutely no reason to do everything chronologically.

You can even include the proverbial weight loss and fitness goals into this kind of continued resolution:
4. Lose more weight, get more fit. (It doesn’t matter that I had a baby last year. It counts. If you had a baby, half your work is done. Go you!)

Resolve to do less this year. You know, to save time. For example:
5. I will do less ironing. (If that makes you feel lazy, simply write down what you will do instead):
5b. Instead, I will spray my clothes lightly with water, and toss pants and shirts back in the dryer for a few minutes.

Live it up a little, and go with something superficial. Your resolutions don’t necessarily have to be actual work:
6. I will, once and for all, learn how to properly apply eye shadow. (You’ll need some action steps for this):
6b. Go to YouTube and type “eye shadow tutorial” in the search bar. (I got a jump start on this one, and I can tell you – it works. Thousands of tween girls can’t be wrong about eyeliner and the proper use of the slanted brush. They’re good, my friend. Very good).

See there? Instead of changing yourself completely or launching headfirst into goals too overwhelming to even list on paper, you can run with this new inspiration. Go with the sequel-style resolution, or throw in something fun—an accomplishment you’ll really be able to cross off your list come December. You will end 2012 with the sense of satisfaction that comes from completed projects and time saved.

And if your eyes are expertly decorated for the annual holiday party, so much the better.

Rhonda Franz is the managing editor of ParentingSquad.com, and writes a food & cooking column for Peekaboo parenting magazine. She lives in the woods of Northwest Arkansas with her husband and three young sons, where she is making a bit of headway of home organization. Her usual makeup routine is a four-minute face, but she can do a fabulous smoky eye for special occasions. She blogs at coffeehousemom.com.

Setting Attainable Goals {New Year, New You}

Setting Attainable Goals
Written by Julie of Eggs and Herbs

As January comes to a close some of you may have already left those New Year’s Resolutions in the dust. Many times the problem with the resolutions we make are that we create a goal that is too unattainable in the short term. We set BIG goals for ourselves and when we have SMALL setbacks we give up. While some people may be able to set a goal they know will take months or possibly even years to accomplish and plug along without thinking twice; most of us need short-term attainable goals.

Today I want to to revisit those resolutions or intentions you’ve set for yourself and then try to break them down into more attainable bits.

Here is my BIG goal for 2012: Lose 30 or more pounds.

Is this goal possible? Absolutely!
Will I reach it in a month or two? Not likely.
Will I have setbacks? Probably.

So how can I make my goal to lose 30 or more pounds more attainable? For me what works is setting SMALL goals that will eventually lead to a better/healthier lifestyle and I include a reward when I reach that goal.

Here are my SMALL attainable goals:

Goal 1: Drink AT LEAST a liter of water every day and avoid soda.
Reward: At the end of the week (if I have reached my short term goal) I allow myself to have one glass of Soda as a treat. If I have not – I skip the reward soda.

Goal 2: Work out at least 3 times a week.
Reward: Each time I work out using a prescribed plan I pay myself $2.50. If I maintain my workout plan I should have saved enough money for a one hour massage at my favorite spa at the end of February. If I haven’t reached my goal – no massage!

I believe that by making these small changes I can eventually lose the 30 pounds I wish to rid myself of while at the same time changing my life to allow me to keep those 30 pounds OUT of my future life!

As this month comes to a close, don’t disregard the resolutions you were not able to keep. Instead, reevaluate them and set new, smaller, more attainable goals for yourself.

What choice are you going to make? {New Year, New You}

What choice are you going to make? {New Year, New You}
Written by Whitney Sutherland of Running with Whit.

Hey there! Happy New Year to you all. As a runner I sometimes skip out on setting New Year’s resolutions. For me, a resolution is just a goal and you can set goals whenever you want! While I train throughout the year, I tend to set most of my fitness goals during the warmer months when I’m doing races. I vary from year to year but generally I will pick a distance or speed that I want to train for and will work towards achieving that goal over a couple of months or even the year. For instance last year, my goal was to complete a Half Ironman.

Two years ago, my goals were more focused on running and I was working hard to run faster across various distances. It was a year full of highs and lows and one that helped me learn one of the most powerful secrets to running and in some ways life too.

I had been training for the Route 66 Half Marathon in Tulsa that year as my goal race and I really wanted to set a new PR or personal record. (A PR is the best time that you have ever run for a specific race distance.) My training that year went awesome! My running partner Anne and I had perfected our training plan and we were both feeling strong and injury free throughout the weeks leading up to the race. The goals that I set for the race reflected my training, preparation, and desire to PR:

A) Finish under 2:10

B) Finish in 2:12 range

C) Finish within 1 min above/below my PR of 2:14

D) To Finish

Race weekend came around and the weather was warm, humid, and very windy. I woke up race morning tired after hardly sleeping due to nerves. As I waited for the shuttle to the starting line I struggled to feel the confidence I should have felt. I met up with my running partner and she pumped me up…sadly it didn’t last. The course was wet with the humidity and within the first few miles I developed a side stitch and my head became full of negative thoughts. As much I as tried to listen to Anne, I couldn’t shake the grumpy thoughts and I wasn’t even running my goal pace. At mile 3 of 13.1, I officially gave up. I sent Anne on her way and then I struggled to the finish.

At 2:23:16, my time wasn’t awful but it was about 8 minutes slower than my C goal and 13 minutes slower than my A goal. I did finish so at least I had that going for me! I was really proud of Anne who picked up the pace and finished in 2:09:45 but I was embarrassed that I had combusted in such a big way. Even worse was that I knew I had to tell my friends, coach, and the blog world of my failure to PR. From the minute the race had started, I let the pressure of trying to PR get in my head and I listened to that voice inside that told me “You can’t do it.” “You can’t keep up this pace.” “You should walk.” Etc.

I took a few days to figure it all out and knew that I wanted to try again because I knew I could conquer this mental meanie in my head telling me that I couldn’t do it. I found another race one month away in Springfield, MO and made secret plans to run. I didn’t tell many people about it because I wanted to do this for me…to show myself that I am capable of setting a goal and accomplishing it. The race course was a 4 loop course around a college campus so I broke my goal down to hit 33 minutes per loop (which would equal a 2:12 finish.) This let me think about the race in smaller chunks and it wasn’t as overwhelming. The whole race I avoided checking my pace except for when I completed a loop. I used the other participants to keep myself in the moment each lap. I finished the race in a time of 2:09:05 which was a 5 minute PR and a definite improvement over the previous month. I walked away from that race knowing that I had a wonderful power…I could make the choice to succeed, to have positive self-talk, to accomplish my goals, and to PR!!!

Run for the Ranch 2010 — Post race and proud of my huge PR!

The combination of these two races taught me how important the mental aspect is in the things that we do whether it is fitness, relationships, work, etc. Now when I am in a tough situation, I know that I can make the decision to react to it better. Some of my Route 66 issues were things I couldn’t control and I failed that day because I gave up on what I could control…me! I made a choice to listen to that voice of self-doubt that we all have instead of the voice that knew how strong I was. This race will always be dear to me because without it I would never have run the second race and discovered the power of my mental strength.

As you reflect on your resolutions and goals, I hope you make the choices you need to in order to be successful each and every day. You are stronger and more powerful than you know, just trust in yourself! Don’t worry if you are behind or have given up on that resolution already. Regroup, break it down into smaller pieces and try again. Best of luck and Happy New Year, New You!

Whitney blogs at Running with Whit about her journey through the highs and lows of life as a runner and triathlete. She loves to spend time with her friends who motivate and coach her through races and life. You can find her on Twitter @runningwhit.

New Year, New Phase of Life: The Return to Work {New Year, New You}

New Year, New Phase of Life: The Return to Work {New Year, New You}
Written by Stephanie McCratic of Evolved Mommy.

At the beginning of 2011 I started to feel like I needed to be doing something professionally. My year-and-a-half old daughter had a calendar packed with play dates; I had started a new mommy group with scheduled speakers, childcare, crafts and bonding activities; but I needed something more.

Freelance writing seemed like a natural transition. My blog had been gaining readership steadily over the past couple years, and I had done some freelance magazine writing and public relations work years ago.

A friend had also talked me into starting a jewelry home show business. The money was good and it forced me to get out of the house and socialize with people whom I’d never met. It’s not anything that I’m terribly proud of, but it taught me some good lessons.

After a whirlwind and dizzying year I now find myself gainfully employed as a social media strategist for a local marketing firm. And, no kidding, some of the biggest national clients I’ve landed have come to me directly because of my home show business.

The beauty of the situation is that my schedule is a flexible 30 hours per week. I started at 20 hours per week, which was a nice way to transition back to an office /day job setting. Now at the current 30 hour schedule I still get one weekday off with my toddler-turning-preschooler. If I were working 40 hours per week I would only see her for the 2-3 hours between when she gets home and when she goes to bed each night.

This arrangement is fantastic for our family, and it isn’t an option with every job. Although, I think it should be more common than it is.

How is my day different today than it was last year at this time:

Then Now

stretchy clothes Heels
10 am play dates 7 am professional development groups
Nap strikes anxious clients and lost emails
Quality time with baby Stimulating adult conversation

Returning to work isn’t for everyone at this stage, in just the same way that staying home isn’t for everyone.

Life has changed drastically in the last two month:

–          My body weight has increase, I’m assuming from stress eating or maybe business lunches or possibly even just winter.
–          My schedule is still a little wonky.
–          My husband and I haven’t yet figured out who takes our daughter to childcare and picks her up on what days.
–          The people I see regularly are changing (and this is the hardest part). I rarely see my mommy friends these days.

Hopefully, the dust will settle soon and the mental, emotional and financial rewards will be more obviously apparent.

No matter what, though, I still want a nap at 2:00 p.m.

Stephanie McCratic is the author of EvolvedMommy.com, where she writes about technology, trends and (mostly) non-sense for the modern mom. She has recently returned to work after two years as a stay-at-home mom. Her official title is Community Shepherd, but that’s just fancy, marketing speak for social media strategist at The Belford Group in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where she tweets and blogs professionally.

Intentional Resolutions {New Year, New You}

Intentional Resolutions {New Year, New You}
Written by Heidi Clark of The Busy Nothings.

I hate New Years Resolutions.

I took a personalty test last fall and discovered my driving force is passion… followed closely by rebellion. Wait- what? Rebellion? How is that… good? SO… I’m passionately… rebellious at times and one of said times is around New Years when everyone around me is cheerily listing all the things that they are going to do better at in the New Year. Exercise, eating, you name it. I rolled my eyes at them. It seems so cheesy and like everyone puts off doing what they know is right until January 1st, then are overwhelmed with all the change at once and when they stumble or fail, feel bad then scrap the whole deal. It always seemed silly and I have obnoxiously told people in the past I made a resolution to never make a resolution.

But then, I realized I HAD been making New Years Resolutions, hypocrite that I am, just subconsciously over the year and in my own passively rebellious way:

– I started the Couch to 5K in November. I am not a runner and always spouted off that people who liked to run were probably running from some major issues in their lives. The fact is that I like to challenge myself and I wanted to see if I could ever run again and actually enjoy it too. I don’t really enjoy it yet, but I love the feeling of accomplishment that I have gotten from this fairly easy program. It’s amazing! Part of the reason that I started it in November was because my 61-year-old father told me he was training for a 5K. I was like- “Ummm- NO way my old dad will be in better shape than me!” and now we have a playful competition in which he’s totally smoking me… The other reason I decided to start running in November was to be ahead of all the people who were going to start in January. Wow. My lack of maturity staggers me at times. There’s that little rebellion with equal parts a competitive nature.

-I have not purchased new clothing from a store in MONTHS and have decided not to as long as I can, which is a part of a lot of people’s Resolution- to spend less. This has been partly because my husband lost his job last summer so I couldn’t afford to and partly because I thought it’d be a challenge to scour garage sales, local thrift and goodwill stores and see if I could still look trendy. Plus- I can buy MORE clothes for less money! Yes, an obvious fact to many! It’s a lot more fun of a challenge now that my husband has a job again! This has become a regular series on my blog as I find new ways to re-use old clothes, upcycle and accessorize cheaply.

-I have gone Gluten Free. OK, that is not a new thing actually. I cheat occasionally, but overall I’ve been Gluten Free for over a year now. What IS a new thing is trying recipes that involve some “from scratch” cooking. Don’t get me wrong- I cook from scratch a lot but when it comes to *baking* Gluten Free I’ve been a ‘from the box’ kind of girl. I baked some things from scratch that were horrible and some (a few) that were great and this year is about trying new things and experimenting in the effort to be healthier and save money. Failure is OK, I’m not perfect, (is what I keep telling myself).

-and speaking of FAILURE, I’ve started counting calories. This year. This could be viewed as some as a New Years Resolution… but it isn’t. It’s simply a decision that I made the first week of the New Year. Weird coincidence, huh? 🙂 This is hard for me- once again my rebellious nature growls at the shackles of restriction, especially in an area that I love: FOOD. But what I’ve found out almost 2 weeks in and 4 lbs less, is that it WORKS. There is freedom in self control that I have found more liberating than a bag of chips and spinach dip ever did. Barely, and not every day, but I’ve realized that I actually enjoy food more now! My goal is to be at the place where I’ve learned portion control, but in my busy, emotional eating world, counting is helping me a lot right now.

The last few year I’ve felt reactionary to everything. My husband, my little boys, and LIFE. This year I want to be more intentional- and it starts with taking care of myself. This list may seem a little selfish to some but it’s when I’m whole and healthy that I can pour out to others in a good way and my family benefits the most. I am rebellious and committing to change can be hard for me. I may joke around a lot, but the fact is that I passionately love life and want to live it in the fullest possible way and that does start with change. Which I’m making in a very non- New Year’s Resolution kind of way. 🙂

I’m Heidi, I’m a thirty-something wife and mom. I’m passionate about my boys, one of who has a rare genetic disorder which led me to cook much healthier and gluten free. I love being real and writing about my couch to 5k journey, finding fashion from thrift stores and garage sales and occasionally picking up a good DIY project. I decorate and free-lance write in my spare time. You can read more about me on my blog The Busy Nothings.

Celebrate Recovery {New Year, New You}

Celebrate Recovery {New Year, New You}
Written by Jamie Smith of Jamie’s Thots (Jamie’s blog will soon be moving to Jamiesthots.com so stay posted!)

I don’t know if I’m brave or just crazy, but for the “New Year, New You” series, I want to share about Celebrate Recovery.

It’s an interesting balance—wanting to protect my own anonymity yet wanting to shout from the rooftops about a program that, when I work it, actually makes a profound impact on my life. With that said, expect some vagueness from me. It’s not trying to be all “vague Facebook status update melodrama queen.” There’s simply just some stuff ya’ll don’t need to know. You do, however, need to know about how your life can be changed through Celebrate Recovery.

So what is Celebrate Recovery? CR is a faith-based recovery program for all of life’s “hurts, habits and hang-ups.” When most of us think of recovery programs, we think of drug addicts, alcoholics or some other obvious, possibly illegal habit. Consider this: what about the person who needs to recover from being a victim of childhood sexual abuse? Or who is struggling with self-debilitating anger towards a wayward spouse? Or someone who has a habit of being controlling and manipulative…even with the best intentions at heart?

Every hurt, habit or hang-up that consumes our lives and keeps us from functioning like a full healthy individual is something that needs recovery. Going into recovery isn’t about being weak; it’s about being strong enough to admit you can’t do it by yourself.

For me, it’s about dealing with the deeper issues that were at the root of a lot of different self-destructive habits. I’ve spent a lot of time in the last six years working to “take my life back” from lots of pain and inner turmoil that led to severe morbid obesity in the outward manifestation, and a whole lot of inner junk as the internal manifestation.

Celebrate Recovery operates from Eight Recovery Principles, all which are based on the Beatitudes. Incorporated into those Principles are the 12 Recovery Steps, which are very similar to the 12 steps that are found in most secular recovery programs.

CR is very group based with group meetings once a week where everyone is together for the first hour for a time of celebration and a lesson. The second hour is for small groups, which are based on the participant’s hurt, habit or hang-up. Small groups include Eating Issues, Divorce Recovery, Adult Child of an Alcoholic…just to name a few.

The second part, possibly the most important and most difficult, is the Step Study. This is a small group that meets together weekly and you go through the 12 steps together. This is where the real work … and the real healing happens. It’s where your heart will be torn raw, the damage will be exposed—and when you finally get to experience relief and recovery. The small groups and Step Studies are divided into groups of men and women, by the way.

Does Celebrate Recovery “fix” you? No. It doesn’t take anything away. It gives you a faith-based way of dealing with the pain and moving on in your life in a complete and healthy way. I’ve tried lots of methods for dealing with all the inner crap and this has been the only successful tool. I’ve heard addicts and other people in CR talk about the program and they say that it has been more effective in their lives than any other, secular recovery program.

So as we all start a new year and look at a “new us,” I think it’s important to look at what changes we want to make on the inside.

To me, it’s about more than making resolutions for better behavior. It’s about a life-altering, complete turnaround of our thought process, emotions and faith.

Are you ready to recover from a hurt, habit or hang-up?

*A note from the editor – Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered recovery program but is considered non-denominational and is offered at many different churches including 29 cities around Arkansas. You can click here to find a program near you or you can visit the Celebrate Recovery website to learn more about the program.

New Year, New…You? {New Year, New You}

New Year, New…You?
Written by Jasmine Brown of The Brokins.

As the clock turns over into a new year, new ad campaigns pop up along with the new year resolutions of masses: “New Year New You”. The myriad contemplate what things they will resolve to do in the year to come. These things ostensibly lean toward shedding the old you and cultivating something else. “My new year resolution is to be more fit, to eat better, to lose weight, to drink less coffee, etc. etc.” The tradition of stating a new year’s resolution bring up thoughts of change, dissatisfaction, and self-grading for some, and even promise. “If I eat better I will be a better me…a “new” me.

Are these things inherently wrong? They are not bad ideas- unless they are attached with loaded meaning. The tradition of the new year resolution is something that is attached to the ideal that if we follow through with resolution we will have accomplished something that will elevate the year we lived higher than others. The problem with “New Year New You” begs the question, “but what is wrong with the old me?”

During the new year so many of us get wrapped up in the idea that if we can become someone new and someone different, things will be better. Fact of the matter is that new data is showing a paradox in how people are discovering real happiness. It is the paradox that you cannot become different until you embrace what you are now. Moreover, many researchers and theorists in the field of Positive Psychology are contending that maybe the best you isn’t a “new you” but rather a more honest you that you have NOW. What would our new year resolutions look like if we reframed how we view ourselves? We focus so much on pathology, what is wrong with us, that we forget the power we hold in each of us. SO what that you don’t have Jillian Michael abs! She doesn’t have your sense of awesome…now does she?!

I’m only saying that the tradition of: “2012 will be the best year ever because I am going to start_______fill in the blank” might be causing more harm than good to our psyche.

Let us consider well being in a different light: what are you good at? What strengths do you have NOW? What do you adore about yourself NOW? Let us resolve to create a year where we embraced our small victories and our realities instead of creating lofty goals that fade as soon as Valentine’s Day candy rolls out.

Jasmine
banksj@jbu.edu

Jasmine Brown of The Brokins is the kind of girl you either love or really love. She is smart, wet-your-pants funny and sometimes brutally honest. She has a unique and even snarky outlook on life. You will learn a lot of things you’ve always wanted to know and even some things you didn’t on her blog The Brokins.