Goal update (seeing that's what this blog is supposed to be all about)

Health & Fitness

Lose 20kg
Not there yet by any means. In fact, it's safe to say I haven't lost any weight (or what I had lost I have put back on). I have started a new healthy eating regime today though and I am writing down what I eat...long may it continue.

Aim for 3 Curves workouts every week
I haven't been to Curves regularly for about 2 and a half months which is shocking...I am determined to get back into it though and will be aiming for 2 workouts this coming week.

Do at least 1 other type of exercise each week (swimming, long walk, badminton etc)
To some extent I have been managing this although it's only ever been taking the dog for a walk. I got on the treadmill this morning for 15 minutes and hope to do that 3 times this week (plus 2 curves workouts will mean 5 lots of exercise).

Stop taking the pill and monitor effects to see if my health improves
I've done this! (Yay, something I can say I have completed!) Am feeling much better having come off the pill - things still aren't quite back to normal hormone wise but I'm pretty certain they are gradually coming right. I'm so glad I did this.

Attend meditation or yoga class for relaxation (and if I like it - continue to attend)
Something else I've done! I did go to a meditation class but I'm not convinced it was for me so haven't pursued that any further. I am trying to find other ways of relaxing (which don't involve emptying my mind...too difficult!)

Cut MSG out of diet completely
I've not done too badly with this. I had a relapse a couple of weeks ago where I was craving salt and vinegar crisps and all other things MSG. I'm trying to get back on the wagon now though and have discovered Salt and Vinegar Pringles don't contain MSG which is a big help!

Writing
Edit novel completed during NaNo 2007 and submit to at least one contest
Haven't got very far with this although I did start looking at the novel a couple of months back but haven't done anything further on it since.

Write at least one 50,000 word novel
I am planning to do NaNoWriMo again this year which is when I will write this year's novel.

Research and submit query for 2 magazine/newspaper articles
Nothing here yet but there is still time.

Wedding
Get a date confirmed for the wedding
It feels like we have gone backwards rather then forwards on this. There is definetly nothing confirmed and we have really had to go back to square 1 in terms of location as well.

Work out a wedding budget
We have done this to some extent which is how we ended up at Square 1. The plan to get married in Italy just isn't going to be feasible due to budget restraints.

Work out a plan of what needs to be done when and put into action
Need to work on this some more once we have decided if we are going to get married in NZ next year...which is the current plan.

Try wedding dresses on once lost 15kg
Not yet - see Health and Fitness!

Relationships
Update K and G NZ blog regularly (at least once a month) so family and friends can see what we are up to
I'm managing this and trying to update weekly or fortnightly which is pretty good going. Whether or not anyone is reading it is another matter...but I feel good knowing the updates are there if people want to read them!

Commit to one evening (or weekend afternoon) per week of quality time with Graeme, by ourselves (ie, go out for dinner, watch a movie together, play a game etc)
Well, we haven't set a certain day each week for this but I think we are doing okay here. Mostly spending time together at home, for example - curling up on the sofa and watching Ice Age last night or playing Singstar.

Email, text or phone one of my close friends/family members at least once a week to keep in touch
I've been trying with this one...there's definetly more room for improvement but I'm not doing too badly. Have been texting and speaking to family and trying to email and Facebook message friends.

Creativity/Personal Development
Make time at least once per month for scrap-booking or other crafts
Am definetly achieving this goal. I am so pleased with the amount of creativity I have achieved so far this year! Lots of scrapbooking pages and other projects. I am currently taking an online scrapbooking class which is proving lots of fun, I am taking part in the monthly scrap your day challenge and I have been attending classes locally too! I am having lots of fun being creative.

Attend a class/workshop to learn a new skill (Italian for beginners, drawing, painting, ceramics)
Well - I am counting the Herbs course as this goal so another thing ticked off! I may go and do something else like ceramics later on and I am really keen to do a photgraphy course but not sure I will get that done this year.

Update this blog regularly (aim for once a week) to keep tabs on where I am at with achieving my goals and what obstacles are in my way
Well I certainly haven't been updating and monitoring my goals weekly which is probably why the health and fitness goals have gone out the window. Today is a new day though and I will be trying hard to keep on top of my goals.

Overall

I'm fairly pleased with how I have done so far. I could do with a little bit more balance in the areas...it seems I am overdoing it in some areas which is affecting my success in others...but that has always been my problem.

I feel that if I can get the health and fitness routine back up and running and make some decisions about the wedding that it will all be coming together.

Weekend...woo hoo!

Yay! It's the weekend - just what I need! It's been a long and tiring week.

I have quite a lot to do this weekend (eeek!)...

I am going to a Learn to Meditate class on Sunday afternoon so come the end of the weekend I should be centred and enlightened....here's hoping!

I have a job interview next week so I have to prepare for that.

I need to go to work for a wee while tomorrow to get some stuff finished before a heavy week next week.

I need to get to the gym and have a go on the Treadmill again (which I've had a couple of go's on so far and man, do I have a long way to go!)

I want to get some writing done this weekend.

Plus I want to sleep...

In fact, I'll think I'll go and make a start on that last one just now

You cannot be serious

No, but really, someone please tell me how it got to be MARCH already? !
Where has this year gone! I know I was away for the first few weeks of January but February flew by be with the blink of an eye. Is the whole year going to be like this?

It already feels like so long since I saw everyone in the UK over Christmas and New Year and now, to realise it's March! I have a lot to get done in the next 12 months so I better get crackin'!

I started a food diary yesterday (yawn!)...I hate doing it but have to to make sure I am scoffing the right foods. I have a plan in action - I want to average a loss of 0.5kg per week between now and next May. It's do-able - I just need to stay committed. Now, I just want the treadmill to be delivered (impatient? me? never!) while I have some motivation so I can have a go at that!

I like Autumn - it's probably my favourite season but I am looking out the window at the trees blowing all over the place and the sleet-ish rain coming down and realise I'm not quite ready for summer to end yet...I need a bit more sunshine to keep me motivated at least until I can get a healthy new routine in place. I'm gonna wish for a few more weeks of sunshine...at least until the clocks change on the 6th April!

Woo-hoo! I'm now the proud owner...

...of this beast!
Now I just need to wait for it to be delivered (hopefully over the next few days) and then I can start some kind of programme of walking and building up to jogging and then to running.

All part of my masterplan to take over the world of course (insert evil laugh here)...well, to look good in my wedding dress anyway!

Motivational TV + Music

I am loving The Biggest Loser at the moment...it's very motivational - almost makes me want to go out and run up mountains to prove to myself I can...of course I could only do this with the lovely Bob (personal trainer) by my side ;-)
Isn't he bendy in this photo....hmmm, intriguing!

I am also trying to come up with a motivational playlist (exercise wise) for my iPod. I'm looking for songs that will get me moving quicker and will keep me going when the going gets tough. So far I'm thinking of these:

• Start Me Up - Rolling Stones
• Stronger - Kanye West
• Eye of the Tiger - by whoever sang that!
• She Moves in her own way - The Kooks
• Some Jimi Hendrix
• Some Killers
• Whole Lotta Love - Led Zepplin
• Don't Stop Movin' - S Club 7
• Beautiful Day - U2
• She's a Rainbow - Rolling Stones
• Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol
• (Doing naughty things) in the bushes - Oasis *name changed for polite purposes!
• A little less conversation - Elvis
• Carnaval de Paris - Dario G
• I wasn't built to get up - The Supernaturals
• Last Night - The Strokes
• Nowhere to Run - Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
• Lots of Stereophonics
• Filthy Gorgeous - Scissor Sisters

Ok - it's official - I have the strangest mix of music possible! I have also just discovered a heap of music on iTunes I forgot I even had so I am going to go and play! The exercise playlist might need a bit of tweaking but hopefully it's a good start!

Where I'm at

Nearly 2 weeks since I last posted - oops! I have thought about doing it a few times but then haven't got around to it. Nevermind - I am updating now! And just in time too. I think by updating this it will help me see where my goals are coming along nicely and where they need some more work!

Health and Fitness update

• Weight lost so far - I seem to be losing and putting back on the same couple of 100g these last few weeks so need to do better at watching what I am eating and getting my exercise levels up.


• I only managed 1 curves workout last week and I haven't been to curves yet this week. I am planning to go tonight and then Saturday plus either Thursday or Friday.


• I did the 7km walk last week but this week I missed it (was feeling really lethargic and had some other stuff that was more important - my job application!)


• Also, on the other exercise front - we are looking at buying a Treadmill (from TradeMe) as we can both use it and I can build up my running without feeling like a red faced bad runner on the streets! It will be good for the winter too when I don't want to go out walking or to the gym when it's dark and cold.


• My hormones have been all over the place with coming off the pill. I am taking Evening Primrose and Bio-zinc to try and balance myself out and just need to see what happens. I've heard it can take anywhere between a month and 18 months to get back to normal after coming off the pill having been on it for a long time. The average seems to be about 6 months so I just need to wait and see.


• I have found details of a Learn to Meditate class that is taking place locally on Sunday 9th March so have called to book in for that and managed to rope in a friend to come along as well I hope. It's a 3 hour class and costing $30Nz which I thought was quite reasonable. I'm hoping it's enough of a taster to see if it works for me and if it's something I should pursue further.


• As for MSG - I have virtually cut it out. The 2 times I have eaten it in the last few weeks I have really felt the consequences afterwards - my allergy symptoms go crazy, my nose runs constantly and I feel really tired. Must remember to check all labels before I eat anything!


• No chocolate - that's going well although I haven;t been a complete angel! From 6th February to today (27th) I have had 4 days where I have had chocolate. So it's not completely out but I am pleased I have had so many days without it!

Writing Update

• I am working on editing my NaNo novel. I'm currently trying to story board my plot so I can work out where there are holes that I need to fill and also to see if there are any scenes that don't move the story on. Unfortunately it's not going to be edited in time to submit to the end of February NZ Romance Writers contest but hopefully I will find another contest later on in the year I can submit it to.


• I have had a few ideas for a 2nd story so need to start noting these down so I have something to work on when I'm ready to start.

Wedding Update

• The only thing we've been able to work on so far has been the budget. We have had some disappointing news that we aren't going to get some money through that we were hoping for and that we had planned to use on the wedding. So it's a case of trying to work out what we can afford, how we can get the money together and then getting something booked.


• Obviously with the money not coming through it's put a huge strain on the idea of getting married in a Italian castle. We talked about it though and we want to get married there - even if we have to have fewer guests and pizzas for dinner rather then a la carte food at the reception! So we need to do some serious maths equations and work out how the hell we're gonna make it happen!

Relationships Update

• I put a post on the K & G NZ blog last week and will aim to do another over the next 7 days so I'm happy people are getting a glance at what we've been up to. I think maybe I need to email round to remind people the blog is still there and I am finally posting to it again though!


• We had a lovely Valentines Day together with a meal out. We have also spent some time with friends out together which has been good. I need to try and plan something for this weekend which is cheap (to save for the wedding!) and fun that we can do together. We did play Singstar last weekend by ourselves which was heaps of fun and may be considered 'quality time'!


• I managed to catch up with 2 NZ friends that are not in Palmy anymore over the weekend which was great. Now I need to make sure I'm replying to friends and family back in the UK that have sent emails. I'm not doing too badly at this!

Creativity/Personal Development

• I've been in touch with my scrapbooking buddy (!) and we've agreed to meet up in April to get going on the scrapbooking again which is good. I've spent a small amount of time looking over pages I'd planned etc over the last couple of weeks and hope to spend some time scrapbooking over the next few weekends (if the weather turns bad - if it's good, I will make the most of it and save the crafty stuff for when it's cold and dark!).


• I've had 2 out of 4 of my All About Herbs class so far which has been interesting. I also learnt about Herbal Crafts this week so that appeased my crafty side! Next week we look at Herbs used in Medicine and the final lesson is about Herbs in cooking.


• I've not updated this blog regularly over the last 2 weeks but I'm updating it today. Will try and do little posts in between these big full update posts just to keep my goals fresh in my mind.

Phew - so that's the update on my goals!

I'm also in the process of applying for a promotion at work and have spent quite a few hours trying to decide if it's the right thing to do. I am hoping to finish my application tonight and submit it tomorrow (it closes on Friday) and then it's all up to fate. At least this way I won't look back and wished I'd done more. I can only apply and see what happens.

And maybe one of these days I'll get around to telling some of my friends that this blog is here ;-)

Mid Week Update

Not a bad week so far.

Health/Fitness - I haven't had any chocolate since last Tuesday (5th Feb) so the stickers are lining up nicely on the calendar each day (heart shaped ones in bright colours!)

I went to Curves on Monday so 2 more work outs to go before Sunday (hopefully Friday and Saturday).

I also walked the 7km Striders walk/run last night. Did it in about 1hr 14min which seemed quite slow. It did rain for most of the walk though so I was soaked through and needed windscreen swipers for my glasses by the time I got to the end!

My healthy eating could be healthier so I need to try harder there...I have been busy concentrating on no chocolate at this stage. Once that becomes easier/more of a habit I will kick start that.

Writing has been a total no go-er...there is a competition I would like to enter my novel into that closes at the end of February. That means I need to get some serious editing done between now and then. We shall see. It definetly isn't ready to be submitted as it is.

I have booked next Monday off as one of my lieu days after being in Auckland recently. This gives me the opportunity and time to have a good look at it and make a decision about whether I am submitting it to the soon to close competition.

And I have signed up (with Graeme) to do a 4 week evening class at a local school that offers night classes. It's called All About Herbs and teaches you how to grow and look after them and then how to cook with them and use them in beauty products too. That should be fun and counts as one of my creativity and personal development goals. Talking of creativity - I also made Graeme a Valentine's card so have stretched my artistic craft muscles this week!

My relationships goals are being covered this week as I will be spending time with Graeme tomorrow in honour of Valentines Day (we are probably going out for dinner). I've also updated the NZ blog in the last week so working to keep in touch with friends and family.

And last but not least - the wedding....I spoke to my Dad over the weekend regarding the wedding as we are currently trying to work out our budgets and what we can afford so I needed to speak to him and ask some questions.

All in all, I think I am trying and gradually working towards the things I want to achieve.

Some good, some bad...

I have not yet eaten any chocolate so I am doing well on that front.
I have a shiny heart sticker on the calendar from not eating chocolate yesterday and am well on the way to getting another today.
I must be quite a visual person and I defiently like stickers as seeing the stickers line up during the month of November as I was reaching my daily word count for NaNoWriMo prompted me onwards. I hope using them for the No Chocolate thing will help me stick with it.

As for this week's other goals....

• I was doing fairly well at bed before 10.30pm but blew it last night when I stayed in the bath for an hour with my iPod blaring (from speakers - I wasn't wearing my earphones in the bath!) and reading a book. I will make sure I get to bed before 10.30pm tonight and tomorrow (Friday) as well.
• It's been a bit hit and miss with the vegetables so I must try harder with this and keep track so I know how many I've eaten.
• I haven't made it to curves once yet this week (eek!) but did take the dog for a long walk on Wednesday. I'm going to pack my gym stuff to take to work tomorrow. If I don't go to the gym tomorrow I will go swimming with Graeme and I will definetly go to Curves on Saturday morning.
• I haven't done any editing of my NaNo manuscript yet this week so need to get some done over the weekend.

I feel really quite tired and have been quite emotional these last few days. I think this could be a reaction to coming off the pill. It's now been 15 days since I last took it. I have been taking Evening Primrose Oil and Vitamin B6 as they are supposed to be good for regulating hormones so will see how that goes. It's hard to find motivation when I am in this kind of mood and I've spent most of my 'free' time reading the last few days rather then focussing on my goals.
I am going to plan the weekend so I get a combination of things I need to do and things I want to do in the hope I do complete some tasks by rewarding myself with relaxation!

I'll see how it goes!

My focus for this week

I am back in Palmy after a long weekend away in Auckland for work. I didn't get much down-time at all so unfortunately got no further with the editing of my novel. I did manage to do some planning for this week though.

I am going to try and review my goals each week and decide which ones I need to focus on and how I am going to do this. I plan to do this each Sunday.

So for this week I will be focusing on WRITING and HEALTH & FITNESS.

For the WRITING side of things I want to try and manage 6 hours of editing on my novel this week. Wednesday is a public holiday so I will spend a couple of hours then and also Saturday and Sunday.

As for HEALTH & FITNESS I need to catch up on some sleep and rest after a busy weekend so plan to be in bed by 10.30pm each work night this week. I also want to eat 3 portions of veggies every day, do 3 curves workouts this week (hopefully today or tomorrow, Friday and Saturday) and go for 1 long walk (possibly the 7km Manawatu Striders walk on Tuesday, if not - a big walk with the dog on Wednesday).

I'm going to try and keep Wednesday free from any arrangments with other people. It will be nice to have a quiet day with Graeme, get some things done I want and then relax without any time constraints.

While I was away, Graeme got me the 'Eat that Frog!' anti-procrastination book from the library so I will also be taking some time to read that this week.

And it's my Mum's birthday today so I will be speaking her tonight and telling her how great she is!

And maybe...just maybe, I might go public with this blog this week and email a link to my closest friends so I can get a little support along the way...

Researching...

In typical Kate fashion I have been doing lots of reading up on goal setting.

I tend to spend lots of time doing this then run out of steam when it comes to the actions required! But I am feeling determined this time.

I came across an interesting series of articles in Next magazine written by a life coach. The issue I have has installment 4 of 12 but I was lucky enough to find the previous articles on the life coaches website. There are also some work sheets and things on there that might be useful.

I am also interested to read a book that the life coach recommends...mainly because of it's quirky sounding title: 'Eat that Frog: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done' by Brian Tracy. They have it at the library so will try and get my hands on that one. I, obviously, could do with some tips for stopping procrastination!

I'm off to Auckland with work tomorrow (Thursday) until Sunday. It's a new part of my job which I haven't experienced yet so I'm looking forward to that aspect but I'm not really happy about that length of time away from home at the moment. Having just got settled again at home after our big trip overseas and feeling really run down, working long days and being away from my bed and Graeme and the dog is going to be upsetting.

On the health side of things, I ended up at the doctor's on Monday lunchtime due to on-and-off chest pains I'd been having since Friday night. After an hour of being monitored I got to see a doctor and apparently I have acid reflux which really doesn't seem all that bad compared to the excruciating pain I was in. I've got some medication to take although I have been warned (by a friend) that the tablets can cause more problems then good. At this stage it's good because the pain has stopped but I shall monitor how I am feeling and make sure the pills don't do me any harm.

I haven't done much exercise this week and won't get started on that now until next week.

I do plan to take my NaNo manuscript with me to Auckland on the offchance I get some time to myself and can continue with my read through and editing. And I will be giving lots of thought to my goals and doing some more 'research' if I get the time.

And today I picked out images from Google Images that suit each of the catergories for my goals (2 examples above)...to help me visually link what I am saying to each of my goals.

My Goals for 2008

Hot on the foot of my first welcome post, here are my goals for 2008 along with a brief introduction:

The main priority for me this year is going to be my health and fitness. I have spent too many years wanting to lose weight and get fitter without enough results. I am planning to get married in May 2009 so I hope this will work as a deadline for me to get to a weight and shape I am happy with.

I feel I had a successful 2007 in terms of writing because it was the first year I wrote a 50k novel and I want to carry on this year by editing the first novel and working on a second.

Planning the wedding may take up a lot of my time later in the year so I am going to include reference to this in my goals.

Health & Fitness

• Lose 20kg
• Aim for 3 Curves workouts every week
• Do at least 1 other type of exercise each week (swimming, long walk, badminton etc)
• Stop taking the pill and monitor effects to see if my health improves
• Attend meditation or yoga class for relaxation (and if I like it - continue to attend)
• Cut MSG out of diet completely
  

Writing

• Edit novel completed during NaNo 2007 and submit to at least one contest
• Write at least one 50,000 word novel
• Research and submit query for 2 magazine/newspaper articles

Wedding

• Get a date confirmed for the wedding
• Work out a wedding budget
• Work out a plan of what needs to be done when and put into action
• Try wedding dresses on once lost 15kg

Relationships

• Update K and G NZ blog regularly (at least once a month) so family and friends can see what we are up to
• Commit to one evening (or weekend afternoon) per week of quality time with Graeme, by ourselves (ie, go out for dinner, watch a movie together, play a game etc)
• Email, text or phone one of my close friends/family members at least once a week to keep in touch

Creativity/Personal Development

• Make time at least once per month for scrap-booking or other crafts
• Attend a class/workshop to learn a new skill (Italian for beginners, drawing, painting, ceramics)
• Update this blog regularly (aim for once a week) to keep tabs on where I am at with achieving my goals and what obstacles are in my way