While I’ve been separated from my ex for many years, I still had a lot of stuff taking up mental space with regards to the never ending divorce process. I’m thrilled to say that after almost 5 years from the time I knew our marriage would never be the same, I am now divorced. The late part of 2015 was the official end of my marriage. 2016 is an official fresh start. It’s my year!
My goals for 2016 were to find accountability in my faith, fitness, healthy eating, personal finance and business.
Faith
I’m a part of two bible studies. Because of illnesses in our house and travel I haven’t been able to get to Wednesday nights. I meet a small group of gals in a friend’s home too on Tuesday mornings. We all come from different religious backgrounds and get together to share our love for God. And I was invited to participate in a Wednesday morning fellowship with another group of women. It’s encouraging to be around women who while each of us very different, we all share the love of Jesus.Being in bible studies is a great first step but I need to add more depth to this area. But I need to set aside devotional time with Him daily also.
Fitness
After joining a gym mid-November and going a few times a week whenever I felt like it, at the beginning of the year, I made a commitment to go 5 days a week. 8 weeks later, I’m proud to say I’m still doing it. The week I went to Mexico, I went to a gym next to my hotel and got in 4 workouts. I gave myself a pat on the back for that. It’s become a part of my routine and I’m so thankful. Working out gives me more energy, confidence and strength. The people at the gym are so encouraging, friendly and motivating. While there are guys at the gym doing hang cleans with crazy amount of weight, I am not. Every day varies but things I do often are rowing, skiing, biking, kettlebell swings, push ups and other body weight work and even pushing a sled. I do some lifting with the bar and weights but not a lot. It’s taken almost 40 years to finally start listening to my body by modifying exercises or choosing not to do particular exercises in general. I know that makes my mama proud. 🙂 What I love about No Limit Fitness is the workout variety, accountability (I could have a million dollar facility in my basement and I wouldn’t use it), encouragement, and having a workout partner that pushes me to do more.
Healthy Eating
I joined a 5 day clean eating challenge to help me get back on track with healthy eating. Well, I didn’t eat clean all 5 days but it did help me with my focus. I’ve been limiting the processed foods I eat, still drinking 10 glasses of water a day, and overall feeling better for it. Shifting from unhealthy habits to healthy, I struggle with consuming enough calories. When I remove the processed foods, I cut out a lot of calories but don’t replace it with good calories. It’s not intentional but I’m not craving the good foods yet and I just don’t add calories at all. I’ve noticed this over the past week that I need to consume more of the right foods cause I’m feeling light headed at the gym at times. We burn on average 500-700 calories at the gym so I know I’m in an extreme calorie deficit now and that needs to change. Joining Jen’s group helped me with getting my focus where it needs to be. Remember that soda I gave up… yeah, so since the first of the year, I’ve consumed over 30 POUNDS LESS of sugar just by cutting out Mountain Dew. I’m taking baby steps that will snowball into a better lifestyle. Maybe next week, will be the week I will eat clean for 7 days! 🙂
Personal Finance
I’ve met with a financial advisor to create long and short term goals. I have not started using it yet this year but plan to use You Need a Budget. I’ve used it in the past. It’s like a digital version of Dave Ramsey’s envelope system. It helps keep track of all your expenses and creates a budget.
Business
My photography business Sweet Lemonade Photography started 4 years ago, shortly after my world got flipped upside down. Initially I was thankful for the outlet to do something, anything. I’d been a stay at home mom for 10 years and the reality of my marriage failing was all consuming. There were days early in the process that a successful day was getting the kids to school on time, showering and having something made for dinner. Photography forced me to get out of the house when all I wanted to do was stay in bed all day. My kids were, and still are, my reason for getting out of bed each morning but I feel in many ways photography saved me. It was my lifeline. And I loved it. Still do. The past few years, I’ve been thankful for the steady growth each and every year. I photographed mostly weddings, families and seniors last year.
Now, 2016 is a year for making plans, creating goals, analyzing my business, marketing and really going after my dreams with this business and make it a full time job. Until now, I haven’t had the mental energy to handle anything big. Now I do. I’ve found accountability with my business in two different people. I’m investing more in education, offering more products and plan to create an even better year long experience for seniors who come to Sweet Lemonade for their senior portraits.
And you know what… it’s 2:30 am and I can’t sleep. I’m making plans, setting goals, and excited for the future.
What do you want to do? What are you waiting for? Most of us live like our time here on Earth is unlimited. Tomorrow, I challenge you to wake up and ask yourself ‘What now?’ Don’t settle. Go out and chase after what you want. Live with no regrets.
Dream, plan, do! Do it with me!
Heather is the owner of Sweet Lemonade Photography and Sweet Darling Weddings. Life gave her a bunch of lemons (you can read a little more here) and by keeping her focus on God, finding the positive in each day, and surrounding herself with supporting, loving and encouraging people she has turned those lemons into the sweetest lemonade. This blog has been created to share her heart, her adventures and find ways to bless others. You can contact her at heather@sweetlemonadelife.com.
You go girl! You are inspiring me from afar : )
Thanks Terri! 🙂