baby steps

I've never been one to make New Years Resolutions.
Probably for the same reason that most people don't-- I probably would fail at keeping them, or get busy and forget, or just try to make them "too big".

However, I'm really good at short-term goals.  Small ones.  Baby steps.

Last year, I started trying this idea out with my goals of no technology (cell phone, computer) within an hour of bedtime. Then, I started forcing myself to go to bed earlier. 
I made a goal to do each of these for 30 days, and I was pretty successful.

But then.....the holidays hit.
And I slacked off.
A lot.
In fact, I've been on my phone or computer before bed....and I've been staying up WAY too late.

That doesn't mean I'm throwing in the towel and saying it's over.
I just needed to recognize that my bad habits were creeping back (for lack of a better reason-- because I was busy and stressed and felt like I "needed" it) and decide that I'm going to hop back on the healthy train.

So, here's my plan.
You could call it a "resolution"....but I'm calling it a plan.  

Every month this year, I'm going to focus on a new healthy habit.  If I feel like I can keep going with that habit without being Mrs. Crabby Pants, I'll stick with it and add a new one.  If not, I'll just start the new habit of the month.

January's goal is to only eat food from home. 

First of all, this means no going out to lunch with my co-workers (for those who know me well, this is going to be tough!) and no ordering Jimmy Johns to deliver my lunch either.  All of my lunches need to come from home.   Sure....I can stock up the Lean Cuisine meals, but it will still be healthier than what I would get at Panera or Wendy's or Noodles.  And-- it will be much cheaper.

For dinner, this means planning ahead, grocery shopping on a regular basis, and cooking healthy meals for myself instead of stopping at a drive thru or getting take out on the way home from work.  If I get really good, I could even make the dinner leftovers become my lunch the next day. 

I haven't planned out the rest of my goals for each month of the year yet, so if you have any ideas for me I'd love to hear them.  Anything related to becoming a healthier person is what I'm looking for-- eating habits, exercise, decreasing stress, improving my immune system, sleep habits, etc.

Oh Wendy's....I will miss you.