How Things Are Going

I can't believe that over 4 weeks have gone by since my massive overhaul...well, in my thinking, anyway. It has been less of an overhaul in my real life, because I have problems following through, illness creeps in and other mundane reality things I let get in the way. However, there have been changes. I am doing this - no, not on the massive scale that I went into it with, but pretty extraordinary, I might say. And considering that 30% of people have given up their new year's resolutions by now and I am still going strong...well, I am dang proud of that.

Goal #1: Get our financial house in order. We are doing pretty good with that. Are we the gazelles that Dave Ramsay talks about? Uh, NO. But it is hard for me to focus that intently and still lead a contented life. But we are doing his steps and it feels GOOD. We started the snowball and have already paid off a couple hundred in monthly bills with the hopes to pay two of the other three off in the next few months. That makes me proud...and a little sheepish that we didn't do this a LOT sooner. Live and learn, I guess.
And I am doing what I can to save money. I do a yearly photobook to put together the past year, and due to my blog ready of the thrifty category, I got one for free (only paid shipping!). That was fantastic. I am working hard at sticking to a weekly grocery budget and finding deals...the latter part is going far better than the former, however I am working on it and I am conscious of it, which is more than I could say a few months ago. I am trying to "run to the store" way less, saving those $7 or $12 here and there. I have gone overboard on shopping a bit, due to all of the deals, and our upcoming vacation. But I have really tried to put on the brakes in the last week since I have pretty much everything I need and/or want for vacation. I am not looking at the promo emails and am just staying put! Save that money for the actual vacation, honey!

Goal #2 - Get my healthy self in order. This one has been harder for me to implement, probably because it only affects me (it affects everyone if I am not healthy, but really only I am the one getting myself together for this one). It is also the first one to go when someone gets sick or I get my period or we have a busy day. If I get into a routine and committ to it, it goes well. And the last few weeks have been good. I do the treadmill M W F (W is iffy, sometimes have to move it around since W is my "bad day"), then yoga through iTunes on T Th. I am trying to get off my butt a bit on the weekends and treadmill a bit, but it is spotty. Mostly I do that when I see my husby running on it and then I guilt myself into doing it, too. Whatever works! Anyway, I can already tell the difference with both the yoga and the treadmill. My legs are back to where they were a few months ago and yoga is getting easier (as is the treadmill - have already kicked it up a notch!). I want to add weights on T Th, but I have Oren those days and it is mentally exhausting for me and I am wiped out by day's end. Maybe someday.
The eating hasn't been great but I did have a breakthrough this week. I have cut out the soda and am drinking sparkling water. The pop really makes me munchy and makes that need totally uncontrollable for me. But with the water, it is much more manageable and that is a relief. It is still hard in the evenings, mostly because my brain is racing for something caloric and I am telling myself that I need/deserve/have to have something, but for now, that is ok. Maybe it is something I can work on down the road.

Goal #3 - Getting my house in order. This one is a bit of an ongoing process! With a house of 5 people, 3 of whom don't "get it", it is a 100 hour a week job to keep up on the house. However, I did do my closet, which has been awesome. The house is kind of together right now, since we just had Jack's birthday. We cleaned out the mudroom which is also AWESOME. Our bedroom is next....just not sure when.

I am getting there. I can do this, I feel that. These are not unreasonable goals and I am actively working on them...maybe not every minute, but definately everyday and I think that is amazing. I am very proud of myself and my family.