I’m not sure about you, but sometimes all the talk about resolutions and goal-setting can be somewhat overwhelming. If you want a fresh start in your love life, you can join one of the online dating programs.  Didn’t quite meet your weight loss goals? There are numerous weight loss programs and gyms you can join.

I guess there is always a place in my subconscious where I set goals.  For instance, I wanted to finish my MBA in 2012, and I walked on December 15.  I also wanted to go on an overseas trip in 2012, but I only managed to travel to Detroit for a family event.

Let’s start with the topic that I’m most familiar with – weight loss and weight gain.  As I stated in previous blogs, I have lost a total of 60 pounds, and for the most part I have managed to maintain this weight loss (http://powermylifetx.com/a-candid-story-of-a-healthier-me/.)  However, my birthday was at the end of September, and I will admit I have been having a “food celebration” of sorts ever since.  There was my birthday cake, followed by sibling’s birthday cakes in October and November and my graduation cake in December.  Do I even need to mention Thanksgiving and Christmas?  While I have maintained my exercise routine, these “celebrations” have added a new snugness in the waistband of several of my clothes.

This reiterates the importance of keeping three action items in mind when reaching for your goal:

1. Make a plan.

2. Never give up (no matter the number of restarts.)

3. Take control.

Make a plan.

Here I will lean on my own past advice.  In previous blogs I spoke of the need to increase daily water intake, cut down on fast food and maintain a consistent exercise routine http://powermylifetx.com/a-candid-story-of-how-i-became-a-healthier-me-part-ii/.)  Implementing these three simple goals will help me jump start my new year.  I’m not looking to lose all my extra weight at once, for this is an overwhelming and sometimes unreasonable plan.  It is about more than just losing a few unwanted pounds; it is also about developing and building a healthy lifestyle.

Never give up.

You may have already succumbed to over-eating certain foods or you may have dropped your exercise routine. No need to worry, because each day we are given is yet another chance to start over. Instead of using your energy to throw a pity party (with tears and pizza), choose to shake off this minor setback and move forward! Your biggest battle is the one in your mind.  The key thing to remember is to never give up. Also, please stop comparing yourself with someone who is smaller than you or more athletic than you.  If you spend too much time watching someone else’s journey you might miss out on your own.

Take control.

I need to give full credit to my fellow blogger Tina S on this one.  She wrote an incredible blog regarding taking control.  What truly stood out to me were her tips to take “baby steps” and make a new goal each month.  As she states, “I can’t fail…I can use this mantra to apply to any area of my life I would like to control.”  Please remember if you go on a food binge or if don’t make it to the gym for two weeks, you are not a failure. It just means you need to make the decision to regain control and push yourself even harder the next round.

(Please read Tina’s blog at: http://powermylifetx.com/take-control/)

I hope this encourages you as it has me.  And remember, you can use our three steps in any area of your life where you would like to see an improvement. I look forward to celebrating your achievements this year and making new ones in 2014.

 “Electric Corner” – At the end of each blog I will add a factoid to help readers better understand some aspect of electricity.

Today’s tip: Advanced Meters

With the installation of advanced meters, customers in the Oncor service area are part of the nation-wide SmartGrid technology. This technology, along with other equipment, helps provide a greener, more efficient and more reliable electric grid (www.oncor.com).

However, some people may not be aware of all the benefits of this new technology.  Here are a few facts:

• Customers can use the advance technology to track their usage and better manage their consumption even before receiving their bill! (See link below)
• Customers can potentially lower their electric bill by making better decisions based on their consumption tracking
• Oncor can record and monitor meter signals 24/7, providing prompt problem-resolution when necessary.

Related web pages:

www.smartmetertexas.com

http://oncor.com/EN/Pages/Advanced-Meters.aspx