Setting goals

Today I learned a lot about myself. Not deep, soul searching information, just stuff. My face has been breaking out a lot lately and I attributed it to not keeping up with my skin care like I should. However, I have been vigilant the past two weeks and it still looks nothing like it did a few months ago. So i thought about what has changed and the answer - my diet. I went off the diet pill and no carb that the doctor prescribed and while i feel healthier and I actually have an appetite (no more force feeding myself), there are some down sides to not being on it. I think the no carb, no sugar, no processed food helped clear up my skin. I know that no carbs is not healthy, so I am going to try no sugar, no processed food, and limit carb intake. I am sure the first few days will be rough because I'll go through sugar withdrawal, but I brought this on myself. I have the motivation so I'll see how far it will push me.

I also returned to physical therapy today. I talked with my therapist about my concerns for my knees. It appears that I have a torn miniscus and my patella is not tracking properly, all of which is worsening my arthritis. I am looking at more physical therapy but better that than surgery! So with yoga twice a week, PT twice a week, and swimming on sundays, I think I can stop doing Jillian's workout for a little while. Besides I have made so many changes to accomodate my knees that I'm not sure I can even call it Jillian's workout anymore. But don't worry - I shall return!

I spent the day listening to podcasts, mostly news and how stuff works. I checked out Dave Ramsey's show for the first time and I picked the right episode to try. It was all about goals and the new year. He talked about how most people fail at thier resolutions because they are more like wishes, not actual goals they intend to complete. According to Dave, there are 5 things that a goal needs to be successful:

1. They are specific.
2. They are measurable.
3. They are your goals.
4. There is a time limit.
5. They are in writing.

I thought this was brilliant. So I am going to give this a try. I am going to lose 20 lbs by June because I want to look and feel better and keep up with my neice and nephew 9and sister!). I am going to go to yoga twice a week for the next 6 months because I enjoy the class and it helps me cope with stress. I am going to strictly follow my skin care routine until my dermotologist appointment on 1/20 so that I can have better skin or tell her what is wrong if it doesn't work. And I will follow the diet advice in Jillian Michaels Master Metabolism and podcasts until March so that I can have a healthier body, clear skin, and no toxins. Now this may seem like a lot but I am already doing some of this, albeit half assed, but still it's a start. I just need to do it right. All I need is motivation, determination, and support all of which I have.

I get all my podcasts off of itunes so check them out, they have anything and everything on there and can be very inspiring and entertaining. The best advice I recieved today was from Dave Ramsey. He said "The definition of success is that you fail forward." While I don't have any intention of failing, if I do I just need to make sure I take the lesson with me as I move on to the next thing.

Talk to you later!