Goal Check...Thursday!?!

Hi!

I know, I know, it's not Monday.  This week has been insanely busy!  Not really a good excuse but I figured, better late than never?  (You still love me though.)

Anyway, it's time to check the progress I have made towards my goals! 

1. Improve my relationship and walk with God
• I was feeling particularly down yesterday evening, to the point of tears, but when I opened my Bible app, the verse of the day was so encouraging and I went from tears of pain to tears of joy.  I know God put it there just for me to see and I include it below to encourage you, dear reader.
• "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." -- Psalm 37:4
• Also, still working on listening the first time I hear something.  Sometimes I say no because it just seems so crazy that it has to be my own mind playing tricks on me.  Most times, I should have listened anyway, even if it seemed ludicrous. 
• I'm on day 125 of my reading plan.
2. Lose 50-100 lbs healthily
• I'm up like 2 lbs since last GCM and all these holiday parties are not helping at all.  Needless to say, I've kinda given up on losing any weight before the end of the year.  But, starting in January, several of my colleagues and I will be participating in a weight loss challenge at work.  It'll be a great way to kickoff my weight loss for next year, as I'm kinda competitive and challenges are a great way to motivate me.
• Weight Loss Tip of the Week:  track your caloric intake using one of the many apps they have out there!  My personal favorites are MyFitnessPal, Calorie Counter by FatSecret, and Lose it!, in no particular order.  If you're a person who likes numbers, as I do, seeing the amount of calories you're taking in per day is fascinating, but also keeps you from being tempted to go over because you'll have to log it and admit that you ate it.
• Been so thirsty lately, so my water intake is still pretty high.  It's like I can't drink enough water!
3. Eliminate my debt
• Still haven't used my credit cards.  I think my Christmas present to myself will be to pay off all my credit cards and student loans.  (Then I could check off this goal!)

Congrats to all who have graduated this month!  Proud of ya!

K

GCM (It's Finals Week!)

Hi!

It's Monday again and, as you can see, I failed to post something between my last GCM post.  (But that's ok, because I didn't buy anything during "Cyber Week".)

Anyway, it's time to check the progress I have made towards my goals! 

1. Improve my relationship and walk with God
• And I'm STILL trying to get back to spending more time with Jesus.  I was suppose to take a break from the world this weekend and re-focus but that plan backfired and, if anything, I ended up spending LESS time than normal.  (Honestly, I can't wait for these 3 goals to be habits.)  Anyway, I think I may switch the time of day that I do my Bible reading.  I did a little impromptu test run this morning, and it wasn't terrible.  Maybe I should do 2-a-days? 
• Also, still working on listening the first time I hear something.  (That way I say, "Yea, Jesus, You were right.  I should have done ____ when You told me to.  Would have made things much easier." a lot less during the aftermath of my decisions and more "Alright, Jesus, sounds like a plan." beforehand.)
• I'm on day 119 of my reading plan.
2. Lose 50-100 lbs healthily
• I'm up 0.8 lbs since last GCM...but I went to the gym at lunch today!  (Yay! Progress! Woot!  Granted I probably undid all my good work with the amount of sweets I've had while at work today...)
• Calorie counting will start back as soon as I finish the (DELICIOUS) pizza I ordered yesterday.  But I'm going to be good and spread that pizza out over the week.  (It's going to be my last pizza splurge for quite awhile!)
• Still drinking water like it's going outta style!  (Seriously, I kinda wish I had a larger bladder so that these bathroom trips wouldn't be as frequent...guys are sooo lucky...)
3. Eliminate my debt
• Came soooo close to using my credit card last Thursday but I resisted and my streak is still going...actually, it's been about 3 months since I've used a credit card... woot!
• Now I should clarify...I won't stop using them forever.  I just want to clear the balances (and keep them clear!) before I start using them as just a way to have good credit

It's finals week for a lot of my friends, and college students across the nation, so GOOD LUCK!!!  I'm praying for y'all, because I haven't been out of your shoes for too long.

K

Goal Check (Cyber!) Monday

Hi!

Happy (Cyber) Monday!  No, I haven't made any online purchases today (shocking, I know) but for those who have poured out their wallets today, I send you a special greeting. :)

And of course, since it is indeed Monday, it's time to check the progress I have made towards my goals! 

1. Improve my relationship and walk with God
• Still trying to get back to spending more time with Jesus.  I have seriously been noticing the effect of not spending time with Him, but instead thinking and dwelling on worries/troubles/problems/etc.  It's been hard for me to stop "snatching" my problems back from where I placed them in Jesus' more than capable hands, and lugging them around on my shoulders once more.  The struggle is real, y'all!  I consider myself an independent person but being independent of Jesus is outta the question.  (If only I could convince myself to stop taking my burdens back from where I cast them?)
• I'm on day 115 of my reading plan.
2. Lose 50-100 lbs healthily
• I'm up from last GCM (I think) but forgot to calculate the exact amount.  Didn't hit the gym today but plan to start back working out this week.  (Hoping to drop by a friend's fit camp tomorrow to get the ball rolling!)
• One thing I've found that really helps me is measuring out my food/serving sizes.  I really like numbers, so seeing and "controlling" the number of calories I intake daily goes a long way with my weight loss ventures.  ("This little piece of candy is 200 calories? Nah, I'll go eat a salad.")
• Still doing pretty well on water intake, though got a little bit dehydrated during Thanksgiving "vacation".  I think this was mostly due to my "routine" being broken.  Back on track today though.
3. Eliminate my debt
• Still haven't used my credit cards at all and paid some more on my cc/studloans.  Had a scare there for a little while, thinking that I'd overpaid on my studloans and would have to eat soup all week. Lol.
• Avoiding Black Friday shopping, which my budget is definitely thrilled about, but some of these "Cyber Week" deals might be too good to pass up...

That's about it from me for today.  Will try my very best to get another post up before next GCM.  (Perhaps detailing my Cyber Week purchase?!)

K