Step One: Shine the Kitchen Sink

Welcome to 2013. Last week I shared my goals for 2013 with you, so since then, I've really spent a lot of time pondering how to accomplish those goals. The one simple truth I've found that is common between all of them....you can't accomplish them if you don't get started. So, here it is, January 2nd...time for me to get started.
I'm going to share with you guys how I plan to get started on my goals, because once again...it makes me accountable. I know that those of you that read this will ask me how it's going next time I see you, just to keep me in check! And that, is one of the many things I love about you guys. So, thank you for reading! It means the world to me. Alrighty...here we go.
1.) Continuing with my get fit plan. I'm off to a bumpy start on this one. I still haven't figured out how to get my bum out of bed in the morning to make breakfast. I have everything I need for a smoothie, but I'll be honest...it's 12 degrees out...I don't want a smoothie. Today I wanted that cheesy, eggy goodness wrapped up in a tortilla. So I had it. I'm not mad at myself for it. That does me no good. I just know I can do better...disappointment...probably worse than anger. So I tanked on meal one of the day. I still have two meals to go and 363 days to improve. I'm going to go to the grocery store today after work and pick up some things that I can do a little prep work in advance and have healthy options for the rest of the week (especially good this week since I work 12 hour days on Thursday and Friday). I'm also planning to go to the gym after work. I'm not up to my 4 times a week yet, but I am going more often than I ever have. And I'm noticing it. The exercises that I do are getting easier...not easy by any means...but easier. I'm able to go a little bit faster, at a little bit more of an incline, for a little bit longer on the treadmill. I'm just going to keep focusing on these little improvements. These make the gym trips worthwhile for me...even when I don't see the scale numbers going down or notice any improvement in the way my clothes fit. That will come with time.
2.) Oops. I guess I kind of combined two with one since number two was getting better about eating. Oh well....see above for my plans!
3.) Finding a new career path. Well, I have already applied for one position that I found, and I am continuing to look on a daily basis. Unfortunately, that is all the control I can have over that. So, I am trying to have a little control about the position I am currently in. I find things to keep me busy to make the days bearable. tomorrow and Friday are going to be hard. 24 hours of work during a holiday week. I don't know if there is enough to keep me going for that long, but I'm going to try!
4.) Working on my finances. Well, I already paid my first mortgage of 2013 and added an additional $32 to the payment. Ha! Funny that that is the exact amount of the increase that will soon be coming out of each of my checks thanks to the end of the tax breaks. My plan for this is to work more with what I have. I do need some new things, like workout shoes, clothes, and a few pieces of furniture, but I am making myself save up for them. I'm not allowed to go back to the old "oh the mortgage can be a month late because I need these shoes, and what are they gonna do, take my house?" move that I used to do all of the time. Bills come first. I am also planning to cut back on my fun money. I have a bad habit of going out and dropping $30-$60 on a meal and some drinks. I can still enjoy the company of my friends...at home...with food and drink...for A LOT less money. Even though I've cut back my going out drastically, I can still do more, and I am going to.
5.) Getting more settled into my house. I've already started on this one!! I rejoined Flylady last night. If you haven't seen this, and you need help getting organized and staying that way, I highly recommend it. She is a firm believer in baby steps. Like she says, "my house didn't get messy in one day, it's not going to get clean in a day either!" So, last night I unloaded my dishwasher, reloaded it with the sink full of dishes, and then I shined my sink (that's step one-seems little, but it makes a difference). Then, since it was the task for the day, I cleaned the sliding glass doors in my dining room. 15 minutes a day....I can do that! I have also started laying out plans to finish up some of the rooms in my house that will be inexpensive to complete, like my laundry room, kitchen and guest room. I have almost all of the stuff to complete them. I just need the time and motivation!
So, I'm getting there. Don't forget to keep asking me how it's going! Hope you are all having a fantastic 2013 so far!