Two Goals This Year

I made two goals for myself this year. 1. Learn French and 2. Get in Shape.

Goal #1 is on its way since I've been here a year. But here's what I'm doing this year so far to continue.

• Tuesdays I have a class with Justin's MBA colleagues. The school offers the class gratuit (free) for spouses of students. 
• We attend a French church. I've been so excited to understand the sermons the last few Sundays! The church has a women's prayer time once a month. I will attend this for good practice. 
• Make French-speaking friends. The church ties into this. I have met several ladies who are not French but are fluent in French at church. I just need to make some rendez-vous's (appointments) to get some time with them.
• Memorize Scripture in French. This is a great way to increase my vocabulary and have something I can say to French speakers! Not that I would just randomly speak Scripture to someone, but when all else fails...
• Purchase and read French children's books with Henry. He has to learn French too. So far his teacher (whom we all love) has yet to hear any French come out of Henry's mouth and doubts his comprehension when given commands like 'partager' (share) and 'rangement' (put away the toys). I tell him we have the same doubts in our house. We bought him a few books today that will hopefully help him associate his English and his French. And as he learns so will I!
• Watch French television. I watch Henry's cartoons a little bit but because I don't know the language completely it is very easily tuned out. I need to watch more and not cartoons because watching the mouths of the speakers or hearing and seeing their expressions all create a better understanding of context for the language being used. Oddly, Dora's mouth moves exactly the same way in French as it does in English. Not that helpful.

For goal #2 I'm looking at another Beach Body product (a la P90X) called TurboFire. I've done some of the P90X with Justin and it's a great product. However, it's not my style of exercise. I am not looking to 'get ripped' necessarily. I think TurboFire's goal is very similar to P90X's, but the process appeals a little more to me. It's high intensity cardio and high energy music with a very spunky and high energy trainer. 

Justin found the program including the nutritional guide, goal tracker journal, etc. on a file sharing website and downloaded it. I've looked at all the pieces and watched bits of the videos the last two days to really consider what I want to commit to. I think all workout programs in general can work. The Beach Body ones are well put together and have all the elements one needs for success. The problem is the commitment level on my end. If I don't commit and persevere of course I won't see results. I'm trying to take this seriously since it's just one of two goals and a very serious one at that. 

My hang up comes with the food. I don't know how much I'm willing to adjust my family's meals for the program. It's just one more lifestyle change and complicated! I mean, I plan to record what I eat and increase better foods and decrease badder foods. This program has you counting calories, etc. Ugh. That makes me want to eat a whole cake by myself just in rebellion against that. Is that just me? Any suggestions or motivating words here? 

I also want to find a Scripture or two to memorize for help. I honestly believe I won't accomplish any of this without the power of God. I am so rebellious to the roots (see above paragraph). I'll get one week into something and say to myself, 'Self, you can do whatever you want. You want a Coke Classic? Have one! You're free!' I'm pretty sure the serpent used the same tactic in the Garden ('You want that apple? Have it! You're free!' Uh-huh.). So, Lord help me if I think I could do this on my own. Got a verse you like? Send it my way!

Rewards. This is my kind of goal-setting. I need a reward at the end so I can be motivated. We've decided to put a dollar amount on my weight loss but I don't know how much. There is a lot of great shopping to be done here in France as you might imagine, and I've discovered a couple of stores that I could really go crazy in (Zara, you may be my next child's name. I am in love with you). Donations are welcome ;). For the French, well, the reward will be speaking clearly to the people around me. I'd take some money for it too though. I'm open to that. Double reward is kind of like a double rainbow!

So there they are. I'll hopefully keep you updated on how these are going throughout the year. I also hope to look back this time next year and have a Zara wardrobe and fluent français!  On y va! (Let's Go!)