The Monday afternoon slump has hit, so I think it’s time to give you all part two of my birthday recap and remember the fun all over again. Part One included donuts, massages, and champagne (oh, my!). Part Two will include shopping, dining, and cheesecake (oh me, oh my!). Let’s get right to it!

I left you off after my little “affair” with Javier (the stereotypical male masseuse). It was still a bit on the early side for dinner, so I asked Peter if we could stop into Target. The Target close to our house is really random and never has anything that catches my eye, but this one got me. The one thing I wanted to pick up turned into $100 and change worth of purchases. But, I just couldn’t say no…

I bought two dresses like that and three new running shorts because my others have gotten a bit large…and I have a problem. There goes my G-Pa birthday money. You would think I’m not good with my money or something.  

Shopping worked up my appetite enough to head over for dinner after changing into my new dress in the parking lot of Target. Yet again, Peter knows me all too well. A lot of times, I get in moods for things and nothing else will satisfy. So he made sure to go to the one place that no matter what mood struck me, they would have something on the massive book of a menu.

Yep! Another Cheesecake Factory visit just a few short months after we went last for our anniversary. I didn’t mind. Not one bit.

After a decently long wait we both wanted to gnaw our arms off by the time we sat down. I immediately ordered a water and a Blue Moon beer to go with my bread basket. Hey – I was celebrating!  

Then, it took us all of forever to finally decide what we wanted. A lot of times at Cheesecake Factory I like to get a few of their small plates or appetizers to share with my dining partner. That way I can get a taste of a few of the many things that cause me to drool all over the table. Peter and I sometimes have trouble settling on what to share, but we had the same tastes last night for a change. Yes!

We created a tasting spread of the following:

Beets and Goat Cheese Small Salad

Tex-Mex Eggrolls

Two Small Flatbreads (one for each of us)

You can guess my choice, I’m sure. Roasted Pear and Blue Cheese? Get in my belly!

Everything was phenomenal and we hung around for over two hours enjoying the night, our conversation, making goofy faces at each other, and not having to rush back home for kids. We love them so dearly, but I definitely feel the importance in having some time to ourselves as well. Such a pleasurable night!

Oh, wait…it didn’t end there. You know we had to get cheesecake!!

I couldn’t decide which flavor I wanted – Red Velvet Cheesecake or Lemoncello Torte – so we got both. Duh. On your birthday you go big or go home!

We shared the Lemoncello Torte slice after getting home Saturday night and the Red Velvet slice last night. Gotta love a birthday that carries on into the next day with leftovers. Mmm Mmm Mmm. I wish every day could be my birthday!

• Do you prefer your own meal or sharing different things when dining out?

Yet another week greets us, which means another need to play catch up with our blog friends after a busy weekend away from the computer, right?  

How it should be. If you’re wanting to get all up to date with FFF happenings, here ya go!

• Running Etiquette – Potty Breaks?
• No Double Digits
• I Don’t Know What To Say (includes FFF Features) 
• He Knows Me So Well – Birthday Recap Part 1
• Self-Love Reflection: Don’t Listen to the Little Voice
• Don’t forget the Luna Protein giveaway (FIVE winners!) – ends Friday

Whew! That’s a link roundup right there! Now, why don’t we dive right into this morning’s post. I realized at the end of last week I never gave you part two of my Numbers Game panel recap. I figured Monday morning made the perfect time to make up for it. I’m sure we all have some goals we would like to tackle this upcoming week – so let’s do that in a healthy, balanced way!  

The awesome panel: Lisa, Janetha, and Beth

In Part One of the Numbers Game I focused on the positive and negative ways we can use goals. Well, that’s all fine and dandy to look at but what matters is how we apply that information. In today’s post, I want to discuss how we make sure we use numbers to motivate our goals in a balanced way that helps us achieve healthy progress.

We each had different experiences to share and key points to take away. Some of my other members have each done a great job giving their points of view on their own blogs:

• Beth’s Post – being flexible and doing things for yourself
• Lisa’s Post – it’s okay to not have specific goals

Now, it’s time for another one of mine. (with some fun outtakes again along the way)

3 WAYS TO KEEP A HEALTHY APPROACH TO GOALS AND TRACKING PROGRESS

Step One: Break It Down. Think about your goal. What does the big picture of your goal look like? Running a half marathon? Writing a book? Doing ten push-ups on your toes? Holding a challenging yoga position a full minute? Developing your blog? Achieving a healthy weight? Saving money? Reading more books? Picking your nose less? (checking you’re paying attention) What IS your goal?

Now…list out everything you can actively do to work towards that goal. Be specific. List out the many actions you can take that can help you achieve your goals.

Step Two: Focus On What You CAN Control. If you have a weight loss goal, you may find yourself frustrated when the scale doesn’t reflect your efforts. If you have a blogging related you goal, you may get discouraged should the growth you anticipated not happen. However, those numbers relate to outside sources (hormones and water weight or people clicking your site). You can’t fully control them.

Go back to that list of things you can do to work towards your goals. Those are where your focus should lie. You want to PR in a race? Make your focus getting in adequate training runs and speed work. Want to achieve a healthy weight? Focus on the number of nutritious meals you eat in a day/week/month and the number of workouts you accomplish? Want to increase blog readership? Focus on producing quality content, getting involved in the community, seeking guest post opportunities, etc.

Checking off what you CAN control and putting effort into those practices regularly WILL lead to results with time. Consider every small act you take towards achieving your goals an accomplishment and don’t forget them along the way. Setbacks will undoubtedly happen at times – boy do I know that from my overcoming binge eating goals – but you have to stay focused on the positive and believe in yourself to continue moving forward.

Step Three: Re-evaluate Often. Step back and look at your progress and ask yourself tons of questions to make sure you are still on a healthy path.

1. Have your goals changed? How do you need to adapt your actions for them?
2. Have you achieved your original goal but it doesn’t feel good enough? Why do you feel the need to do more?
3. Have you tried everything but aren’t seeing results? What ways can you alter your current choices to kick start things again? Seek advice if necessary.
4. Are you feeling unmotivated suddenly? Remember why you originally pursued the goal and determine if you still feel as strongly. If you do, focus on the why of your goal. If you don’t, consider adjusting your goal or finding new inspirational tools.
5. Are you going crazy? Do you feel overwhelmed or stressed? Take a close look at what triggers those emotions and resolve those issues. Perhaps you will need to give up counting calories or reading particular blogs or using certain tracking tools.

Stay aware of your needs and your happiness. It will make achieving your goals that much more possible.

There’s the gist of my main points for this topic. I do have about ten million more things I could delve into and talk about. Obviously I feel quite strongly about this topic. I want people to achieve their goals. I want people to dream BIG. I want everyone out there to do exactly the things they hope to do and achieve their wildest hopes and dreams. I think we all have the potential to do so…and to do so in a healthy and happy way. Go get ‘em tiger.

• Do any numbers “set you off” in a bad way with blogging or health/fitness?What things motivate you in a positive way?
• Which of the points above stick out to you the most or do you try to focus on in your own personal progress?