“It’s not how you start the race, it’s how you finish it”

The pastor at my old church was known for using this saying a lot. And I am thankful for it! It’s one of those things that has stuck with me for years. I hear it when I am tired or feel like giving up or at times of the year where it seems like it would make sense to just coast.

It seems like the easy thing to do is just relax until 2016 wraps up and start fresh for 2017. But you know what? Three weeks (four when I started writing this!) is still a very long time, about a twelfth of the year. If we counted out the four weeks at the end of summer, and the four weeks at the end of school, well then we just gave up about a quarter of the year. I feel like I’d be pretty upset with myself if I just let this time go by without any focus. Maybe you’re focused ALL the time and need the holidays to be more relaxed. thats c

I am REALLY not into the “what’s your excuse” hub-bub. Actually it ticks me off. One of my pet peeves. “What’s your excuse” for not losing weight? Or working out every day? Oh my good gracious!!! Every time I see these posts I want to lose my mind! Here is the thing. Just because YOUR priority is to do these things right now, it doesn’t have to be everyone’s!

Excuse : a reason or explanation put forward to defend or justify a fault or offense.

Asking “what’s your excuse” means that you think that people are GUILTY of something. There is no fault in weight loss not being my primary focus! Yes, being healthy is good. Yes, taking care of your body is good. Yes, being at a healthy weight is good. A lot of other things are good as well.

Feeding the hungry.

Playing with your kids.

Giving money to the poor.

Creating.

Being there for friends.

Reading.

Studying.

So many good things. And we get to choose. People don’t often ask “what’s your excuse for not giving all of your money to those in need” but somehow it became acceptable to pressure people into feeling guilt of not putting their appearance first (yes, yes, health too, but often not the true focus).

And the funny thing is that I AM working at losing weight. I don’t think there is anything wrong with trying to be fit and healthy. I just remember feeling so angry when I saw those posts. It is so easy to judge someone when we don’t see what they are really going through. Be careful of that. So that was a rabbit trail of a rant….

What I was MEANING to talk about is that a lot can happen in three weeks. We all know that new year’s resolutions are pretty much crap, so why hold off on doing what we want until January 1st. We can start now. Not by setting lofty, nice sounding accolades, but my figuring out what you want out of life, and the steps that you can take to get there. Goal setting is where it’s at! I have great aspirations for 2017 but that doesn’t mean I am ready to close the book on 2016. There are lots of good and positive things that can still happen this year.

There are lots of parties and festivities (Both my husband and I’s birthdays are next week and my daughters is the week after Christmas….so I get that for sure!) but it doesn’t mean that I should write off the entire month/rest of the year. My personality loves goals and points and charts, so I created this healthy habits star chart for myself. Cheesy, yes. Helpful, also yes!

This may not work for you, but just because you didn’t meet ALL of your goals for 2016 doesn’t mean you have to give up now! There are probably some that you can still action. And if not, make some weekly SMART goals for the rest of the year. (but hey if you want to just relax and enjoy the rest of the year in indulgence, you will get no judgement from me!)

I just know that I love feeling like I have accomplished things, and when things are all over the place, busy, hectic and out of routine, I love being able to see that I still did healthy things for me, my family and my business. But maybe it’s simpler for you, eat one vegetable a day. Go for a 20 minute walk this week. Do something kind for a stranger. I don’t know what lines up with what your goals and values, but there’s likely something there!

I am excited to finish the year strong! Stronger than I started. Excited for what is to come and thankful for the rest of this year that is not yet done! (and to keep me accountable until the end, I will be sharing my star chart by Jan 3)

I will encourage you though, to start planning for your 2017. If you want next year to be different than this year was, you need to make it that way. Plan the things that you want! More on this in coming weeks!

I’d love to hear what you plan on doing to finish the year strong!