Back in January I decided to try something different in 2016 when it comes to healthy living goals. Instead of making a big lofty goal, I thought I would try mini-goals for each month.
This year I want to focus on one healthy habit each month. I hope that by focusing intensely on one thing for a month, I will turn it into a habit that sticks with me throughout the year. Here are my:
Healthy Habits for a Healthy Year
January: Drink 8 Glasses of Water Each Day
February: Eliminate Snacking
March: Exercise 4 Days a Week
April: Sleep at Least 9 Hours a Night
May: Only Two Desserts a Week
June: Stretch Each Day
July: Walk 10,000 Steps per Day
August: Eat Fruits and Vegetables at Every Meal
September: Eat a Big Salad for Lunch Each Day
October: Observe One Sabbath a Week
November: Write in a Gratitude Journal Each Day
December: Spend 10 Minutes Outside Every Day
April’s Recap
Oh, how I loved my goal for April! In April I committed to getting at least 9 hours of sleep 5 nights a week. This meant that I went to bed earlier, began unwinding from the day earlier, and focused on rest for the entire month.
I feel so much better! I was able to get a lot more sleep–that is, until Holy Week. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, our Holy Week and Pascha were the last week of April. Most Orthodox Christians spend at least 30 hours in church during Holy Week, and many of the services are late in the evening. This culminates in Pascha (Easter), which begins at midnight and goes until nearly five in the morning.
Needless to say, I didn’t get as much sleep during that week! However, because I had focused on good sleep habits all month, I entered Holy Week feeling energetic, healthy, and well-rested.
May’s Healthy Habit: Cut Back on Desserts
In May I am going to switch the focus back to creating healthy eating habits again. I have a HUGE sweet tooth, and lately I have been indulging a bit too much in desserts. I know in my head that most desserts contain empty calories that do little to fuel my body, and that most contain refined sugars that are not good for my body. However, I forget all of this knowledge when I see a bowl of ice cream or a chocolate chip cookie. This month’s habit is going to be a tough one for me!
My Plan
I find that I am more likely to follow through on a goal if I have a specific plan set up. My Type-A nature likes to follow rules and get “gold stars,” so I have a hard time breaking a commitment–even if it is just to myself. Here is the plan that I will implement as I try to cut back on desserts:
- No desserts on the weekdays. I already have a fairly regimented schedule on the weekdays. I have to get up early, go to work, play with my kids in the evenings, and work on the blog after they go to bed. I hope that it will be fairly easy to implement a strict abstinence policy during the week.
- Two desserts on the weekends. Our weekends are more relaxed. I get to play more with the kids, sleep in a bit, go to church, and read. It is an ideal time to add a celebration in the form of a dessert. By saving desserts for the weekends, I hope to make them more special and anticipated.
- Make the two desserts count. If I am only going to eat two desserts a week, I want to make them truly count. Sometimes I eat a dessert because it is there, not because I really want it. I really enjoy ice cream and dark chocolate, so these desserts are the ones that I will look forward to on the weekends. That way I won’t “waste” my desserts on things that don’t actually bring me joy.
I want to encourage you to think about your health and fitness goals for 2016. What will you do to take care of the body God gave you? How will you focus on your health so that you can love and serve others? I challenge you today to take the time to create a few goals for yourself. You are welcome to join me and focus on one habit a month.
Here’s to a healthy you!
What healthy habits do you want to implement this month?
Oh my gosh, I need this challenge! I am going to do this with you. I was actually hiding in the freezer (because that’s where I hide my Oreos so I don’t eat them) last night after dinner. 🙁 Clearly I need to find a new hiding place (and stop buying Oreos)! Will you continue to serve your family dessert on weeknights?
How funny, Alison! We actually don’t serve desserts at most meals. The kids may have an occasional sweet treat as a snack. I am much better with them than with myself. 🙂
Are you continuing to work on your other goals? Or have once the month has stopped, so have they?
That is a great question, Sarah. Some of the goals I try to continue–like getting enough rest and drinking 8 glasses of water a day. Others I am attempting more as a way to begin implementing that habit more frequently. For example, I tried a “exercise 4 times a week” habit back in March. While I am no longer doing that, I have increased the number of times that I exercise as a whole. I am hopeful that the dessert challenge will be the same. I might not be as regimented about it after May 31, but I hope that I am better off than I was at the beginning of the month!