After posting my spiritual and financial goals for 2010, I was planning to combine the final two areas – physical and personal – into one post. However, once I got started, I realized that it would be WAY too long; therefore, I’m sticking to just physical goals for today.
I am trying to move past judging my health by a number on the scales. While I typically weigh myself a couple of times a week, my continuing goal is to move my body more and eat healthier foods so that I will feel good and have the energy I need to do the things I want to do. Beyond that, as a wife and mother, I want to do all that I can to help the rest of my family be as healthy as possible.
In the past couple of months, I have realized that our daughters are confronted with candy and sweets at every turn. (At one point in the month of December, the amount of candy they had was so staggering that I offered to pay them a nickel for every piece they gave to me instead of eating. Let’s just say that my seven-year-old made 75 cents in one night! Some of the candy went into the trash and some was given away or saved for some other occasion.)
Since I’m not always going to be around with that incentive, I am trying to teach them, as well as myself, to pay attention to how your body feels after you eat a sugary treat, compared with how you feel after eating a piece of fruit or other healthier snack. When I think of their young bodies and all the nutrients that they need to grow, I want to do all I can to meet those physical needs in the best way possible. I believe it to be on ongoing learning process, striving to make nutritious choices while still enjoying some special treats from time to time.
Now, I will get down off my soap box and share my three basic physical goals for the year.
- Re-read In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan. This is one of my favorite books and was one of the first ones that really got me thinking about my food choices. I have already reserved a copy at the library and will pick it up next week. I should just buy the book; a few months ago, I put it on my wish list at PaperBackSwap and I’m now number 595 of 1,364 people wanting that book!!
- Eat three servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Yes, that is three. You must understand the point from which I’m starting. It’s not that I eat potato chips and cookies all day, but I’m used to such snacks as granola bars or crackers and tend to fill my meals with bread and starches as opposed to anything green. Three fruits or vegetables a day is attainable and I’m hoping to be consistent enough with it that I’ll move to four or five servings per day in a couple of months.
- Exercise four times a week. This is much easier in the spring and summer since I enjoy walking or bike riding after supper when it’s light later into the evenings. Now I’m going to make a concerted effort to get out sometime earlier in the day to burn some calories.
So, there you have it! I’m hoping to be a fitter, healthier version of myself twelve months from now!
I love your idea of paying your daughters for their candy. I think your goal about the 3 servings a day is great…I may have to start that. Blessings!
I couldn't afford to pay Madison for all of her candy and sweets! LOL That girl loves her some candy. Your suggestions and ideas have given me something to think about…I want to be eat healthier and become more active this year. We eat pretty healthy, just make poor choices when it come time for a snack.
Oh, I wish someone would have paid me a nickel for every piece of candy I had! What a great idea to do that for your girls. I, too, loved In Defense of Food. Our goal is to also eat better, especially after the last couple of months.
Looks like some great goals! I have been so off my exercising routine. I use our Wii Fit A LOT and I actually miss my Golds Gym Kick Boxing..
Hope you enjoy working on all your goals!!
I soo need to get back into working out. My parents just left today after being here for 2 weeks, so need to high tail it into gear.