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My reevaluation was a hit, not only with me and my family but with other people who were inspired to do similar endeavors.
For the New Year, I decided to expand my 2011 year of changes to include my own physical and spiritual growth. My plan was to start 2012 minus a few bad habits. You might remember my excitement in adding a Starbucks fund to my monthly budget. For too long I had given up the sweet coffee I loved and was more than thrilled to be able to add a cup or two back into my weekly routine. That quickly got out of hand. I found myself ‘borrowing’ from my book, clothing and (when my local Kroger opened a Starbucks in their store) my grocery fund to fuel this consuming habit.
Another problem I noticed was my increased intake of sodas. Diet Coke to be exact. Where I would pop the top on a can of soda maybe three times a week, I soon found myself drinking three and four a day. This too was quickly getting out of hand.
With my new physical and spiritual goal in mind, I decided December would be a great time to give up Starbucks and sodas completely. Cold Turkey. Good-bye bad habits. Start 2012 out on the right foot.
What was I thinking? That was the month we sold our house, set up a (temporary) single-wide trailer, moved2,200 sq feet of STUFF into 900 sq feet, oh and don’t forget about all the holiday hoopla.
Oh man was this a toughie. BUT I DID IT!!! I did NOT drink anything from Starbucks (not even my favorite Eggnog Latte) and I did not drink one single soda, caffeinated or otherwise. I felt great! I faced some very tough roadblocks and came out ahead.
I was pumped. Right up until January 2nd. That’s the day I drank a Diet Coke while eating out with some friends. After that, I found myself falling back into a pattern of drinking more than one per day. We even took The Kid to the Coca Cola Museum in Atlanta, Georgia and I happily tried a drink of soda from every part of the world. Some were great, some not so great. But it was that ice cold glass bottle we were given at the end of the tour that pulled me (not even kicking and screaming) right in. Man did it taste good (excuse me a minute while I run to the fridge for another one).
Okay, I’m back. Mmmmmmm… I can’t describe how good this Diet Coke is.
The only good thing about all this is that I have NOT ventured into a Starbucks. I’m actually afraid that if I do grab one small cup of Cinnamon Dolce Latte that I won’t be able to stop. Kind of silly, huh? After all, I made the resolve. Why not give myself a bit of freedom? Why not give up something else? Heck, why not even change this next year’s goals completely?
These are arguments running through my head as I struggle through my current month’s goal (you won’t read about this one until April). This would certainly be the easy thing to do.
Instead, I look at a piece of paper tacked above my computer stating exactly where I want to be by December.
You remember my post last month with the pictures of the 6 big goals I want to accomplish by July? If I don’t stay on the path I’ve lined out, I won’t make those goals. If I don’t make those goals, I won’t be able to see the conclusion I’m aiming for. See the links? Kind of hard to snap one piece without watching the whole chain come unraveled.
This i
s the beginning of my year of physical and spiritual growth. Not exactly the start I envisioned, but a bit of progress none the less. Check back with me Tuesday, March 6th to see what made me sit down and draw out a more detailed plan for 2012.
How about you? How are your 2012 goals coming along? Anyone give something up only to find yourself increasing the very act you hoped to give up? Or are you sticking with it? If so, I’d love to hear how you’ve been able to keep that resolve.
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Tami
by Tami Brothers
27 comments
Hi Tami,
The start of 2012 is going well. I managed to lose two pounds. I’m always trying to limit my junk food intake. I did snack a lot this past weekend because all the chips were on sale due to the Super Bowl.
I have not myself any goals for 2012. I may do so along the way. As for going cold turkey on anything, I don’t think my family could handle the deranged person I would become. I need a little sweet after dinner each night.
Tami, I’m not normally the finger wagging, “You should not do that type,” BUT, DON’T DRINK SODA!!!!
I’m sure you know this, but it’s so full of chemicals your body just doesn’t need. In fact, it’s all chemicals. Even diet, sugar free, caffeine free soda is awful for you. Please don’t drink it.
Hope I don’t sound like some crazed health nut…because I’m not. I eat junk, love junk, crave junk, but I don’t eat it regularly. As I’ve gotten older I’ve realized I don’t bounce back weight wize as quickly and easily as I used to. So I’ve been eating junk food much more sparingly. In fact, for the last month I’ve stayed away from it completely and lost 10 pounds.
Now, I’m not saying this to get a pat on the back, I’m saying it so you know that if i can survive without junk food, ME, the chic who could eat two and a half sleeves of Double Stuffed oreos, a 1/3 of a bag of Fritos with onion dip and then polish it all off with a whole container of Tenti Chocolate peanutbutter cupgelato in one sitting (yes, I really can do that)then you can lay off the soda.
You can do it. I know you can. You’ve accomplished soooooo much in your life (so much that I’m in awe of you) that omitting soda should be a breeze.
I have faith in you!!!!
You can do it.
Just start over today as if this is the first of the year.
And awesome job on nixing Starbucks. If nothing else, forgoing that many lattes will save you a butt load of money.
As for me, my 2012 resolutions are being met thus far. I write every single day (except last week, I was at Disney for a week with my sisters) and I’m eating right and going regularly to the gym.
I’m doing well.
And I know you will do well too.
Best wishes for success with your goals!
Have a great Tuesday
Tamara
Tami, as always, you blow me away. My plans for 2012 are, so far, going okay. The biggest hurdle is figuring out how to make enough to live on whilst going back to school. I’ll get there. I am happy to say I am writing. That is a GOOD thing. Cheers to 2012. Lindy
Ahh, the dreaded coffee cycle.
I was doing the same thing, increasing the amount of coffee I was drinking – until a few weeks ago. Now I’m down to one, very enjoyed, coffee a day.
Jane,
Congratulations on losing the two pounds. That’s wonderful. Like Mary, I haven’t set goals for 2012. I don’t drink coffee because I don’t like it, so no problem there, except when I go to Starbucks, I’ll ask for a Cinnamon or Peppermint white hot chocolate, but nothing with coffee. I don’t like soda, diet or otherwise that much, so that’s not what does me in. I do like sweets. Last night I ate chocolate ice cream before going to bed. And I like bread. And Tamara’s right, the older you get the harder it is to shed pounds. What I need is some willpower.
My daughter drank a ton of diet coke and now she’s quit drinking that, which can only be a good thing.
I admire you Tammy. You set goals and achieve them and I like reading about how you do it.
Hi Tami,
In January hubby & I realized we were drinking about 6-8 cups of (decafe) coffee almost every day. We’ve cut back to about 1-2 cups a week. I also have about 1 soda a week…maybe.
We made a decision to lose some weight & exercise more & we’re sticking w/ it.
I’m proud of how well you’ve done…GO GIRL!!!
Tami,
I’ve said it before, You’re a force to be reckoned with. I’m proud of you. I believe the physical and spirital go hand in hand. By balancing them, you’ll be able to control them better. IMO.
My weakness is Dr. Pepper, regular, no diet. I try and wean off them. Tamara is right, they are so bad for you. They dehydrate you. Nothing good is going in. Hubby said I’m allowed one bad habit and my problem is the caffeine. I don’t drink coffee or tea. DP is the only caffeine I get and I need that pick me up in the middle of the day. Especially when I sub for middle school.
I’m going to keep trying to fight my DP cravings and sometimes I get down to 2 oz a day.
Wishing you luck and willpower to achieve your goals.
Great post! I have ADDED something instead of taking away….ok, substituted would be a better word. But every a.m.&p.m. I drink 2 cups herbal green tea w\fresh lemon juice. Then I can have coffee, & I drink it cold w/ lots of almomd milk. We used to have a heavy cola habit in our family, but we’ve overcome it. Well, most of us have, anyway.
Combined w/lots (lots!) of water, I feel so much more energetic & clear-headed.
Good for you! Keep up the good work; can’t wait to see us all healthier in December!
Tami,
You are amazing. You set goals, tell the goals and DO them!
I have been writing a lot more this year – I know this is only the 6th week, but so far, it’s good. Still going to the gym, but if I didn’t, I don’t think dynamite could get me to move very much. Lots of other “need to” things, but if I can keep these two up, I’ll get lots accomplished.
Good luck! We all say it – you are amazing!
Tami, good luck with the soda thing! Even though you aren’t doing as well as you hoped, you’re doing better than you were.
My 2012 plans are going fairly well. I’ve lost just under 3 pounds by eating less overall. I drink water with meals and in between, and I snack on fruit or yogurt.
The biggest thing is the TBR pile, which is slowly dropping. Anytime I buy books, I then have to read at least that many plus one before I can buy another (except research books).
I have half a Diet Sprite a day, my compromise on the soda front.
The writing isn’t going as well as I’d like, but I’m working on it.
Hi!!!! (big wave while eating a burrito and drinking a diet coke – sorry Tamara!!!!)
Jumping in to say hi during a toooo short lunch break. I’m in the middle of a crazy complicated class with HOMEWORK and TESTS. So I’ll have to stop by and reply to all you awesome people tonight.
I am so impressed with everyone and all you guys are doing. Your encouragement is phenomenal and your dedication to your goals are inspiring.
I promise to do my VERY BEST to cut back (again) on those Diet Cokes… I promise. Right after this one.
Back to class. See ya all later.
Tami
I drink straight black coffee and rarely drink sodas of any kind. But I can become addicted to any computer game in about two seconds. I cannot play just one. Or two. Or even ten. It’s been a painful process. So now I never play anything on computer or other device. And I desperately LOVE Words with Friends. Sigh. As someone once said, “I feel your pain.”
Tami – good for you to keep working so hard at reaching your goals. It’s easier to just give up when you step off the path once or twice, but you keep going back to your list. Good for you. I think a lot of people would be surprised by what they consume and spend at a Starbucks. Great place, but it does become addictive.
Hi Tami,
great post and hope I can add – since my current work in progress is full of health, nutrition and fitness – it takes 21 days to change a habit. Yep! I’m working with a leading fitness instructor, doctor and health coach for my current novel research. The doc works with members of the Florida Panthers, Atlanta Braves and partners with Microsoft Corp. as the official weight management program … so the truth is it takes 21 days as well to add a new habit too.
It’s a question of mind over matter and you’ve already done the hard bit – setting your mind to it. Now you just have to take control over your taste buds (matter) everytime you confront that habit / cafe / soda bottles (whatever) and tune yourself to a healthier habit.
I faced a month-long habit change period when tuning myself to have salad only for lunch – it was hard but once I got over the initial month… the habit stays forever! Good luck and let us know how it goes!
Hi Tami – Thank you for your honesty. I’m working on a vision board that has made me focus on what I want, not just this year but afterwards too. I’m stopped drinking coffee, I only drink it on occasion now. I don’t drink soda, sometimes I’ll drink fizzie water because it’s fun. I did not make any resolutions my goal that I began late last year was to slow down, spend more time at home and so far that one is progressing well. Great Post!!
Oh, Tami. I feel your pain. Like Sia, however, my weakness is Dr. Pepper. I get a little better each year, but it’s still there. One sip, and I want another–I swear there’s crack in there or something.
Good luck, and I know you can do it! And I like Pamela’s idea of starting with green tea before proceeding to coffee….
I’m back! Sorry so late. The Kid wouldn’t let me get on the computer until I finished my homework… Darn him.
Hi Jane!!! Awesome job on the weight loss. Junk food is the absolute hardest to give up and these holidays really make it tough. Those darn Cadbury chocolate eggs are mocking me! Hopefully those chips will go fast and then you’ll be good to go.
Hey Mary! LOL on the deranged person thing. I totally think The Kid would say I have ventured into that territory a few times the past few months. Gotta love it. Definitely make some goals as you go. I say do what works. I can say with absolute confidence that there is no way I would have been able to do the things I’m doing now five years ago. You really have to be in that state of mind to make it happen.
Hi Tamara! Okay, okay. You have convinced me. Now I just need to wrap my head around it. We’ve been eating out a LOT, which hasn’t helped in that regard. I usually drink water but I’ve found some restaurants have some nasty tasting water. If I can convince hubby to cook more…
I like the idea of starting over today. Of course, since I have two more days of class… I might start over on Friday????
I love that you have been writing every day (Disney is totally excusable. Good thing I don’t love in Florida or I would never get anything done.) Awesome job with the regular gym trips. I totally wish you all the best with your goals, too. We’ll have to compare when we see each other at our monthly GRW meetings.
Hugs!
Tami
Hey Lindy!!! It was great seeing you this past weekend. We will definitely have to do that more often.
I know you will find that balance. Going back to school is incredibly hard with everything else life throws at you, but I totally believe you can do it. You have that vibe that says “I am woman! Hear me roar!” I hope you take that in a good way. AND I can’t wait to see/hear how your new writing project comes out. It sounds awesome!
Hi Janel! Girl, you are right there where I want to be. Way to go on keeping that down to one.
Hi Marilyn! That Peppermint white hot chocolate is amazing. I can see why you like it. I had not thought about bread. I have no idea if I could give that up. Thanks so much for your support. It’s tough to do some of these things without the help from friends.
It was great seeing you, too, Marilyn! I can’t wait til we plan the next girls afternoon.
Tami
Hey Sandy! Wow on cutting back on the coffee so much. You guys are a team to be reckoned with when you set your minds to something. I love that about you two.
Hi Sia!!! LOL! Just read that reckoned with statement. Great minds…
Hubby and The Kid drink a LOT of Dr. Pepper. We are trying to come to an “agreement” on this soda thing. I’m not sure if I will win this one or not.
I can’t imagine taking on all those kids without some type of pick-me-up. No idea what you would even swap it with. Maybe chocolate???
Hey Pamela!!! I like that herbal green tea idea. I’m not a big tea drinker, but The Kid is trying to get me to switch over. He really likes it (cold). You guys are very convincing on that water thing. I’ve gone through phases where I drink a lot of water. I’m thinking I need to force that phase back around.
Thank you guys for stopping by!!!
Hugs
Tami
Hey Maxine! I hope that Zumba works out for you. Please let me know how it goes and I might have to join you.
Awesome job on sticking with the gym. I know that if I don’t make myself accountable to something/someone, then I tend to let things slack.
Hi Nancy!!! I can soooo relate to that TBR pile. I need to follow in your footsteps and do the one for one thing + 1. My biggest problem at the moment is all those free Kindle books. I keep adding those to my pile and that is definitely adding up. AWESOME job on the weight loss. Great job with snacking on fruit and yogurt. I totally need to do that, too.
I’m crossing my fingers that we ALL can get back onto that writing kick. I know we can do it.
Tami
Chiming in late here because I’ve been working on my goal: Getting my third Miranda’s Rights book done. As of right now, I’m up to 63,720 words (about 40,000 of them written since Jan 1) and I’m at the thrilling conclusion. I’m happy and can’t wait till I type “THE END.”
I also can’t wait to see what you have for us next month. You are such a tease.
PS: I agree with Tamara about the soft drinks. Now the Starbucks, that’s a horse of a different color…
Hey Carol! My Kid is totally with you on those video games. My trainer at work does the exact same thing. She uses the games to wind down after some very stressful days. I think her favorite is Little Big Planet. She has some younger kids that think she’s hilarious for playing with them. Oh man that Words with Friends is addictive. I have to stay away from that one. Crossing my fingers that it gets easier for ya.
Hi Dianna! Oh man do those coffees add up. It was easy to justify them until I actually added up a month of debit card receipts. And those were just the single coffees I bought. Didn’t even add in the ones I paid for with my groceries or cash when I was headed out on trips. I think that was a bigger factor than my health. LOL! Maybe.
Hey Anju! I love following your posts on The Healthy Writer blog. Going to have to work at that 21 day thing. Hopefully, I can keep from starting back on that bad habit. I can’t wait to see what you come up with in your research. Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Hildie! AWESOME idea on that vision board. I would love to see a picture of it sometime. So very cool on keeping up with last year’s goal. I am honestly working on that one myself. Haven’t quite made it there yet, but I am working on it.
Hey Sally! Hahahahahaha on that crack thing. We keep telling the couple at our local Daylight Donuts that they are cooking crack into their donuts. We used some of their boxes to move and boy did those make us hungry. You could smell the donut scent every time you picked up a box. The friends we had helping us thought it was a conspiracy. Awesome job on your dedication to your running. You are truly and inspiration.
Tami
Awesome Linsey!!!! You are really doing an amazing job with these. I know how good writing The End feels and I can’t wait till I get to that point myself.
LOL on the Starbucks.
Hugs!
Tami
Tami, good luck kicking that Diet Coke habit. I’m having to limit my caffeine intake because it interferes with my sleep. That’s never good. So, much less Diet Coke for me. Some tea, and I never drank coffee because (like Marilyn B) I don’t like the taste.
I find myself drinking more tea when I cut back on the Diet Cokes. So, I think I’ll be making a separate pitcher of decaf for my after 3 p.m. drinking pleasure.
Sorry I’m chiming in so late, Tami; 2012 was going pretty well until this week, when circumstances beyond my control kind of knocked me on my behind. I allowed myself a couple of days of self-pity and a little too much wine and now I am back on track. I think that’s the secret: forgiving yourself for being human and then picking right back up where you left off. If anybody can do it, YOU can!
I’m laughing. I love my iced tea mixture of herbals and regular tea. I also like Diet Coke, Coke Zero, and will drink Dirt Pepsi. When I am sleep deprived, I grab a diet soft drink.
I am tutoring so many hours I sometimes just must have more than tea.
Good blog! I’m not a big goal setter!