While I'm not a fan of vague New Years resolutions or wishes, I do like thinking about what I want to do differently or better at the start of another year. I have tried to set SMART goals; goals that are realistic and actually achievable with tangible results. So I thought I would write a bit about the six goals I have for 2015 and expand on them a bit.
1. STUDY GOD'S WORD
I want to keep growing as a Christian, keep understanding more about God and keep loving like Jesus and obeying Jesus. What better way to do this than to let God's word change me? So how will I do this? I will go to Bible study regularly, read the Bible with Soong every week, read the Bible myself every week and do whatever else I can to immerse myself in His word.
2. COOK A NEW MEAL MONTHLY
Since doing the Michelle Bridges 12 Week Body Transformation I have pretty much only cooked with her recipes. I've tried new ones here and there but I have been so careful with health and calories that I haven't cooked from a normal cookbook in a long time.
I originally started 2013 with the goal to cook through Jamie Oliver's 15 Minute Meals. I want to go back and try some more but I am aware that I am going to be busy this year. One new meal a month? Surely I can find time to cook 12 new meals in a year.
3. EAT HEALTHY ON WEEKDAYS
What do I mean by this? Monday to Friday I will:
• Track what I eat on MyFitnessPal
• Limit junk food intake to a snack at Bible study or Youth Group, if I really want one
• Eat home cooked meals for dinner
• Aim for the correct serves of each food group: 5 of grains, 2.5 of dairy, 2.5 of protein, 2 of fruit and 5 of vegetables. More on the correct serving sizes here: wee.eatforhealth.gov.au
Of course there will be exceptions. Whenever it is a choice between my health goals and loving others I will choose others. But if I do this 80% of the time then the other 20% won't be a problem.
4. EXERCISE 2x A WEEK
Or 104 times in the year. Part of making sure I so this will be to book in sweat-sessions with friends. Running dates, exercise DVD dates, attend the fitness class at church when it is back on, go to the gym etc. I will need a way to track the numbers though, so if anyone knows of any fun tracking apps (one with a thermometer towards my goal would e super fun).
5. BLOG 2x A MONTH
This one may be harder to do. I don't mean blog here, this blogging is easy and relaxing. I mean blog on other blogs such as Here In The Waiting Room, and also on my joint health food blog What About Health. Blogs for other people count as well. So I am aiming for twice a month.
6. SHARE A MONTHLY MEAL WITH DIFFERENT PEOPLE FROM CHURCH
I have my church friends over a lot. God has blessed me with a comfortable cosy home that I can serve people in this year I want to go beyond just my church friends and open up my home to others at church. I think it is great and biblical to practice hospitality often and open up my home to those I don't know very well yet also. So one meal a month. 12 times a year.
Those are my goals for the year. Is anyone else setting goals?
