I’ve never been big on New Year’s challenges and preferred to just keep the status quo, but this year, I’m feeling inspired to make changes.  I always feel a little funny about setting goals based on the secular calendar, since my new year begins in Tishrei, but I think that as long as I use Tishrei to work on middos, religion and spirituality, I can join the rest of the world in January with different types of goals.

One challenge I’ve decided to take on is MoneySavingMom.com’s “12 Months to a Healthier You” challenge.  Each month has a focus area and I think that if I set my goals in a SMART way, then I can really make a difference.  By taking on small challenges every month, I’m hoping to make lifelong changes in the way I live.

12 Months to a Healthier You

Focus Areas for 2014

January: Exercise Regularly
February: Eat More Fresh Fruits & Veggies
March: Drink More Water
April: Cut Back on Sugar
May: Get More Rest
June: Create a Morning Routine
July: Read More
August: Go to Bed Earlier
September: Declutter Your Home
October: Cut Back on Caffeine
November: Keep a Gratitude Journal
December: Simplify & Say No

Some of these challenges will be harder than others (hello?  Cut back on sugar in the month of Pesach??  I will try!!), but some are so doable I wish I would’ve done them already.  As soon as I saw this list, I knew I wanted to be a part of this!

My goal for this challenge is to post at the beginning of every month with a review of the previous month and plan for the month ahead.  I’ll also try to post some updates throughout the month.  Some of my goals may seem small and silly to you, but will make a big difference to me.  We all struggle with different things and I’m hoping that by working on a small things I can do this challenge every month for many years to come.

This is the first month, so while I’m excited, I’m also really nervous that I won’t be able to fully commit to these things.  I am however going to try.  At least I’ll try to try.

January Goal:  Exercise Regularly

This month’s challenge is to start exercising regularly.  I’ve always wanted to do this, but I just don’t have a lot of time to commit to it.  Luckily I found some small ways that I can make this happen.  Again, these changes might seem silly to you, but for me they are doable and will be better than sitting on my bottom all day.

1.  Use elliptical twice a week for 30 minutes

This is a big one, but one that DH will encourage me to do.  For now I will try to use it either Saturday night or Sunday and Wednesday.  I figured that if one of my days was a weekend there was more of a chance that I would do it.  I especially like the idea of doing it after Shabbos now that Shabbos ends early.  For my second day I chose Wednesday because I think it will work with my current schedule.

I’m lucky that we have an elliptical right in our basement, so I don’t even need to leave the house for this one.  DH bought it a while ago and he really made an effort to use it.  I on the other hand didn’t.  Actually, I’ve never used it before and don’t even know how to turn it on.

Once I find my sneakers and start, I am hoping that this will become habit and I will do it more than the time I’m allotting right now.  We’ll see how it goes.

2.  30 Day Fitness Challenges

Check out http://30dayfitnesschallenges.com/.  These exercises only take a few seconds a day, but I can see how they will make a difference.  I love that I can do them on Shabbos too.  No excuses!!  While I’m upset that the app costs $2.99 and I’m too cheap to buy it, I think that I’ll be ok with just using the regular website.

So, what do you think?  Doable?

What small changes are you making this year?

Until next time,
Shaindy