Goals, March 2013

I'd say I was not one for long term goals but that's not quite right. I think it's more that I really need to set some short term goals as well in order to sharpen the focus on achieving the long term ones.

Lori over at Finding Radiance lists her goals for the new month on the first of each and every month. I like this idea so much I'm absolutely borrowing it! Why do I like her format so much? She only lists a handful of goals in a simple format and they're relevant and achievable. Lori also does a recap at the end of each month to see how she went so I'll be doing that as well come March 31. Soooooo:

March Goals

1. Lose 5 kg - I have a new trainer, new program and a renewed sense of purpose (more details to come on that). I also have an official starting weight (shudder). All of this combined leads me to believe that 5kg is possible as it only a little more than a kilo a week.

2. Exercise a minimum of 6 days a week - again entirely doable and practically a 'must' given what my aspirations are. Exercise encompasses walking and gardening as well as training.

3. Stay on the Primal/Paleo eating plan - this is going very well again and I need to continue as it makes me feel good.

4. Work mindfully - distractions and interruptions come with my job so I need to accept them for what they are and go straight back to work after they're dealt with. That would be instead of checking email, Facebook or Twitter or all three *cough*.

5. Continue with the Autumn clean - why I have a sudden urge to deep clean I have no idea. Well maybe I do actually - life is perhaps back on track after injury and therefore I need to start anew in all facets including a purge of 'stuff' and deep cleaning. Looking to get rid of a garbage bag of 'stuff' every week and 2-3 hours per week in additional cleaning.

So that's it! Looking forward to the month in spite of the fact March means Autumn and one can sense the slight change in the seasons already.

A dose of cute to finish. You'd think butter wouldn't melt in her mouth but you'd be so very, very wrong.

Goal 1a 2013 - Grocery Shopping

I've made this Goal 1a because it really does (to me anyway) belong with Goal 1 of Menu Planning. My preferred time to shop is early am on Sundays - early enough that you miss the crowds but late enough that they have completely restocked. For me that's between 8.30 and 9am. I'm home by 10.30 at the latest and still have the majority of the day available for more desirable pursuits than grocery shopping. Not that I mind grocery shopping actually, I just loathe it when it's crowded.

The current week's list starts after the previous shop is done. Items are added during the week and then Saturday night or early Sunday morning I look at the menu for the next week and add any necessary items. I also do a round of the cupboards checking levels of such things as soap, toothpaste, toilet paper etc. D laughs at me for the way I write my list:

Top right hand corner - pantry items such as tuna, eggs, bread
Top left hand corner   - household items such as toilet paper, laundry detergent, cat litter
Bottom right hand corner - cold items such as meats, cheese, milk, deli items
Botton left hand corner     - fruit and veg

I don't know why I started doing it this way but I've done it like this for as long as I can remember and it suits me. I don't undestand how people shop without a list - as far as I can see you'd always be forgetting stuff you actually need and/or buying stuff you didn't actually need or want. I very rarely go back to the shops during the week because a. I've planned ahead and bought what we need for the week and b. grocery shops at 5-6pm on a weekday when everyone is in there 'getting something to cook for dinner' are just small little hells on earth.

So far so good with both the meal planning and grocery shopping in 2013. Definitely giving myself an A for effort so far ths year.