This is Month 3 of my completely made-up diet called The Sparkle Plan. Check out Month 1 here and Month 2 here. The Sparkle Plan consists of big and small goals. The big goals are to keep you motivated throughout the year and the small goals are your monthly objectives.
My BFF went on a trip around the world (literally) and came back with this little nugget she likes to throw in my face when I’m being particularly annoying and/or hard on myself, “Expectations Reduce Joy.” 
I expected to be down about 7-8 pounds by this point. Guess what? I’m not. Naturally, I got all angsty and agitated about this and was ready to berate myself. A hard task, when I gave up criticizing myself for Lent. So let’s take a positive look at this situation.
I haven’t gained any weight, I’m still recovering from an injury that turned out to be a lot worse than I thought and I have finally started running again. Sounds awesome to me!
Let’s take a look at how I did with last month’s small goals and set some new ones for the coming month.
Small Goals – Month 2
- No eating after 9pm and eat M&Ms only one day a week at work.
- Walk three times a week for at least 40 minutes – either outside or on the treadmill at the gym.
- Do 10 pushups (yes, of the girl variety) a day, as well as arm circles.
- Do 50 crunches (in various forms) a day.
I did really well with these goals. In all honesty, I think there were only a couple nights I ate after 9pm. I stayed away from the M&Ms. Happily, I got my walk on! Not only did this give me more physical energy, but I just felt better mentally. And toward the end of the month, I finally started running again. Short distances – 1 mile – but I’m really proud of myself. I did the arm circles, pushups and crunches ALMOST every day.
Tip of the Month:
This comes courtesy of Mary Ann – one of my roommates from college. She suggested that you either flex your hands or form fists while doing arm circles. This works different muscles. I did this, as well as regular arm circles and definitely felt the difference! Thanks, Mary Ann!
Small Goals – Month 3
Every year, I have an incredibly busy March and April, due to my day job. This year, I will be doing A LOT of traveling in addition to a very heavy work and writing schedule. So my goals for this month are to continue with my small goals from months 1 & 2 and to give myself a bit of a break. Here is my one goal:
- Throughout all of my conferences, travel, etc., I vow to get at least 8,000 steps per day.
Your turn – I want to know how you did! If you made a goal last month, share in the comments your challenges and successes. If you’re new to The Sparkle Plan, feel free to let us know what your goal is now. Or just give us all a supportive box of marshmallow peeps and Cadbury eggs. Wait, no! I meant give us an internet hug. 😉
*I am not a doctor or anything close to a doctor. In fact, I wouldn’t even be able to play a doctor on TV – too many technical words and I don’t look cute in scrubs. Always consult your own physician before embarking on any fitness or eating plan.
Internet hug!!! I can’t believe it’s been a month already. Kerri, that’s wonderful! I’m so proud of you. I’ve been doing a great job meeting my writing goals. My exercise goals, on the other hand…. Hmmm….
I learned a really good tip during the Ruby’s WWF this year. If you aren’t meeting your goals, lower them! I’m going to lower my exercise goals to something itty bitty. Something even I can do. How about: get on the treadmill everyday. Doesn’t matter how long I’m on it. As long as I get on it and walk a single step, that counts. It’s like saying as long as you open up your writing document and write a single word, that counts. I’ve never done this before but I’m hoping I’m able to trick myself! Will let you know.
Lowering your goal is a fabulous idea! If you tell yourself you only need to write 100 words a day, that doesn’t seem very daunting. Plus, you’ll more than likely write more than 100 anyway. Same with getting on the treadmill, even if it’s for one minute.
Yes, I like this! Let me know how it goes. 😉
Kerri,
My own Sparkle Plan is failing miserably. Although I kinda revised the first 42,000 words of my WIP, I am about to revise that revision–which will affect the rest of the book. So…bleh.
Regarding exercise…even my small goals were unachieved. I’m being so lazy this month. I wanted to start walking each day, but I pulled a groin muscle pulling luggage through NYC. Wish I had just paid for a cab at this point. Which means walking was out, and I can barely walk up and down stairs. It sucks. I’m feeling you on having your own body get in the way of your goals.
But, congrats on the walking and M&Ms. I think I’ll throw the arm circles into my goal, considering I can’t do anything with the legs right now. So, yay for Mary Ann. She rocks, and you rock. And the Sparkle Plan rocks too!
Will let you know if I meet any goals next month.
Kim – ouch!!!! That doesn’t sound good! What’s up with our bodies lately? Grrrrr!
Congrats on the kinda revised 42K words – that’s awesomesauce!
You can do the arm circles. Takes like a minute and easy to do while watching TV. 😉
You are sparkly and awesome! Love the plan, and when we get together next, help me create my own sparkly, okay? Great post Mermaid Kerri!
Thanks Denny-Mermaid! I will totally help you and it will involve lists and sub-lists and color-coded… Okay, I’m sorry. I got carried away. 😉
(Hugs) I’m so excited and proud of you – 2014 has been a great year for you!!! I commend you for your push ups as I know you hate them 🙂
My exciting accomplishment last month was to finally be back to my pre-baby weight (although not everything fits, it is easier to step on the scale, which I avoided since Feb 2013). Goal for March, start running again. This past Tuesday I joined my running group for the first time since May – it was so nice and 3 days later I am still sore…the post run beers were a nice reward too!
Keep up the goal setting, you are doing great! I am still inspired
Thanks Bunny! Yes, I do believe you left me a voicemail after those beers! But I’m proud of you for getting back to your pre-pregnancy weight AND for getting back to running. Isn’t that the bestest! 😉 Keep it up and come back next month and let us know how the running is going.
You inspired me to get off my ass and go to the gym for the first time in a while. I’m so impressed with your stamina and goal setting!
Thanks Lynne! My stamina *might* be slowing down a bit this week, but I’m still pushing. Yay for getting back to the gym. Keep it up! 😉
Thanks, Diana-Mermaid! I’m super excited about the Marlene and can’t wait for Retreat!!!
Mostly getting my 10000 steps, even though my knee is killing me…still waiting for medical help. Not drinking enough water and my decluttering…not so good! Perhaps I need to break that down in to more doable goals. A goal for this month is to get my taxes done! Also want to add some small exercises.
Your posts are great…otherwise I would forget about my goals!! Keep sparkling!
Thanks, Mom! Getting your taxes done is a fabulous goal – you can do it!
Yay, Kerry! I have no plan at the moment and am running kind of low on sparkle, due to the horrid frozen tundra today! Icky! Go away winter! My bedroom floor is buckled and the bathroom door won’t shut!
Other than that, it’s all good. Sort of. Congrats on sticking to the Sparkle Plan! My plan for the next month is doing a serious BICHOK and getting through the Fresh First Draft of Lake Effect.
I love first drafts, Susan-Mermaid. So much possibility! Much good luck to you. And I’m with you on the weather – today is wretched!
Your sparkle is rubbing off on us! I love reading your monthly progress so thank you for sharing. I still can’t believe your ability to avoid MnMs! Here’s to a sparkly rest of the month and next. I know it’s your busiest but you can do it Hero!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks, Hero! But I must confess – I did have some office M&Ms today. Le sigh! 😉