Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 10: Overall Project Reflection

What was your SMART goal? Did it change at all during the project? Explain.

My SMART goal was to stop drinking pop and start drinking out of a reusable water bottle. Towards the end I decided to add on to my SMART goal to eat healthier.

 

 What helped you be successful? What things got in your way? How can you address these in the future?

 I have always wanted to do something like this, but was never very motivated. When I started this goal I was really excited for it and was determined to be successful. When ever someone offered me a pop I made sure to stay strong and decline. Giving up pop for 10 whole weeks made me realize, I do not need it. Sure, I can have one once in a while, but I feel so much better and not so "sluggish" if I don't drink it.

 How did you benefit from this project? What did you learn about yourself? What did you learn about behavior change? 

 This project has been very beneficial for me. I learned that I was drinking waaay too much pop and drinking out of non reusable water bottles. It's nice because I have learned that drinking out of a water bottle not only keeps me dehydrated (since I fill it all the time) but keeps me from drinking unhealthy fluids. I learned that I am way more "upbeat" when I drink healthier fluids.

 How did others and/or the environment benefit from you changing this behavior?

 I had my roommates try giving up pop for a week and they went through with it and actually bought reusable water bottles. They agreed that it was beneficial and they were not as sluggish either. The environment also benefited from my SMART goal because I was not using so much plastic. I thought it was really cool how me being healthy could benefit the environment!

 Will you continue this behavior? Why or why not?

 I will definitely continue this behavior. I love how I feel when I drink healthy fluids and it makes me want to eat healthier. Before this lifestyle change I was getting headaches because I was so dehydrated. After I started my SMART goal my headaches went away and I feel great!

What recommendations do you have for others about making a lifestyle change?

 I would strongly recommend that they are motivated going into the change so they have motivation throughout the challenge. I would also tell them that it is definitely worth it and you feel more accomplished!

Blogged for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 10 hosted by Amy@Eco-Chic with Amy

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 9: Weekly Update

My SMART goal

My SMART goal is to give up pop and drink only healthy fluids out of a re-usable water bottle. This is to keep me healthier and more motivated by giving up pop.

Successes and Challenges

I went home for Thanksgiving. I was around a lot of junk food and just food in general. Even though I did not eat healthy like I planned to do, I still stuck to my SMART goal and used my waterbottle instead of drinking pop. I have been drinking a lot of tea which is caffinated so I mix the powder with water and put it into my waterbottle, which is how I get my engergy. I faced challenges because when I eat unhealthy foods, I tend to want to drink unhealthy liquids so that was a little difficult. I am glad I did not give in and only drank healthy liquids.

Feelings

Like I said, it was more difficult being home, eating things I would not usually eat up here at college. I set a goal which was to start eating healthier when I came back up to Duluth, which I have been doing a great job of and it feels excellent! I had a week at home to be lazy, but now that I am back in school I am more motivated to work out and eat/drink healthy.

What I learned

I learned a lot this week. I realized that there may be some weeks that you feel more sluggish and a little more unmotivated, and that's okay, sometimes your body needs a break. However, I learned how important it is get back on track and stick to your goals. Whenever I work out and eat healthy I feel a million times better. Sure it is great to have pizza now and then and to pig out once in a while, but you need to do that in moderation.

Plans for Next Week

I plan to eat/drink healthy, work out, and use my re-usable water bottle for next week. After I got back from Thanksgiving break I realized how important it is for me to get back on track. I feel a million times better when I stick to my goals!

Blogged for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 9 hosted by Amy@Eco-Chic with Amy

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 8: Weekly Update

SMART Goal:

My SMART goal is to stop drinking pop,drink out of a water bottle and drink healthy fluids out of it. I also added eating healthier foods to my goal because I have found that I feel more productive when I do so.

Successes and Challenges:

This past week has been more successful in the fact that I ate healthier foods and did not drink any pop.  There were not really any challenges because I have realized that when I eat and drink healthy foods/fluids, I tend to be more productive and more motivated.

Feelings:

I felt very motivated this past week and loved the way I felt! I worked out three times and drank a lot of water and tea. I was proud of myself for keeping on track with my SMART goal and bringing my water bottle to each class.


What I Learned: 
I have realized that I love the way I feel when I do not eat junk food. It may be delicious, but the end results are being sluggish.

Next Week:   

Next week I plan to bring my water bottle to class, eat healthier, and not drink any pop. I liked how I felt this past week and I want to get back on the right track! 






Blogged for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 8 hosted by Amy@Eco-Chic with Amy

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 7: Weekly Update

Smart Goal
My SMART goal for the semester is to drink out of a reusable water bottle and stop drinking pop. By doing this, I am saving the environment. Little things like using a reusable water bottle can make a difference. :)

Successes and Challenges
 I have been doing very well with my SMART goal. I have been bringing my water bottle to all my classes and have tried putting new liquids in it such as tea and apple cider. The only bad thing is I have not been eating as healthy as I have been the previous weeks so I have become more sluggish. I felt that drinking more water helped improve my work out and eating habbits so I would like to get back on that track.

Feelings
 I feel good about my goal and am proud of myself for keeping it up. It is a little more tempting to say yes to a pop because like I said, I have not been eating as healthy. At least I am still bringing my water bottle to class and achieving my goal.


What I learned
I learned I feel much better when I drink water and eat less junk food. Not drinking any pop makes me feel healthier overall. Plus, I am spending less money by not buying it. :)

Next Week....

Next week I plan to bring my water bottle to each class and I plan to work out more and eat healthier so I don't feel so sluggish.

Blogged for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 7 hosted by Amy@Eco-Chic with Amy.

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 6: Weekly Update

My SMART Goal

My SMART goal is to stop drinking pop and start using a re-usable water bottle.

Strategies to Being Successful

Last week I gave in and drank two diet cokes. Doing that made me realize I do not need to drink pop and there are other healthier alternatives I can lean on instead. There were not many challenges for me this week because I was determined to stick to my SMART goal. I am very proud of myself that I didn't give in to any temptations this week!

My Feelings

I felt great not only for denying pop, but I felt a lot healthier in general. I have been working out a lot instead of sitting on the couch and watching TV and I have felt a lot more motivated and better all around.

What Did I learn

My roommate and I have been working out a lot and trying to stay healthy. Giving up pop has been a huge factor in helping us stay healthy. Staying healthy to us means giving up things we used to drink/eat that have not always been the best for us such as chips and pop. Giving these things up has made us more determined to stay healthy and work out. After working out the last thing I think about is wanting a pop, which feel amazing!!

Plans for Next Week

I plan to keep up my good work and stay motivated. I have learned that if I come home after class and sit on the couch I become extremely lazy and unmotivated. Lately, I have gone on more adventures and walks in order to avoid the couch and I feel great!

Blogged for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 6 hosted by Amy@Eco-Chic with Amy.

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 5: Weekly Update

                         
                 SMART GOAL

My SMART goal is to stop drinking pop and start drinking healthier fluids out of a re-usable water bottle. 

      Successes and Challenges

The good news is I used my water bottle all week long and brought it to every class. The bad news is that I splurged this weekend and had two pops. It had not been too difficult for me the following weeks, but my friends all had a pop and so I gave in. :(

                           How I feel
I will admit, I am a little disappointed in myself. I had been doing very well and felt very healthy. When I think about it though, I used to drink pop all the time and me having 2 pops in about 4 weeks is actually very good for me.

                             What I Learned

After drinking two cokes it made me realize I am just fine without drinking pop, and I love how I feel drinking water. I have felt a lot healthier these past 4 weeks. I have been working out a lot and drinking lots of healthy fluids. I used to think I needed a pop every time I felt a little sluggish to wake me up. I have learned that is definitely not the case and there are other healthier drinks that will have the same affect.

              Plans for Next Week 
Next week I plan to not "give in" to any temptations and stay committed with my SMART goal. Overall I am proud of myself. I love how I feel when I do not drink pop and I want to stick with the original plan :). 

Blogged for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 5 hosted by Amy@Eco-Chic with Amy.

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 4: Weekly Update

SMART Goal- How I Achieved My Goal.

My SMART goal is to stop drinking pop and start drinking out of a reusable water bottle.

Successes and Challenges

Week 4 went by really fast for me, yet very well. I am impressed with how well my SMART goal is working out for me! I went home last weekend. Home is usually where I drink the most pop because I like pop with home cooked meals (for some odd reason). My mom offered me one multiple times and I was very happy with myself when I turned it down.

Feelings I Experienced
I felt great when I turned down pop and choice a more healthy choice. It made me feel more determined to achieve my goal. Also, when I tell people I have given up pop for this semester people really respect it and think it is really cool.

What I learned This Week

I feel each week I have wanted pop less and less. I also got a new pink water bottle which I am pretty excited about. I have been filling that up multiple times a day to keep hydrated.

Next week I plan to put orange juice in my water bottle and bring it to my morning classes, then drink water the rest of the day :)


Blogged for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 4 hosted by Amy@Eco-Chic with Amy

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 3: Weekly Update

My SMART goal is to stop drinking pop and start drinking more water in a re-usable water bottle. I must say week two was extremely successful and a piece of cake! I am very proud of myself!

Unfortunately, I, like everyone else, was sick last week so i was not in the mood for pop one bit. I brought my water bottle to each class and filled up an average of 5 times each day. My roommates were all sick as well so I brought them to the store to get re-usable water bottles.... gotta keep hydrated!

Besides the fact that I was sick, I felt really good since I have gone 2 weeks without drinking pop. It feels sooo good to finally be dehydrated!

This week I learned how important it is for your body to drink a lot of water and juice (which I filled up my re-usable water bottle with one day). My plans for next week will be to hopefully recover from my cold and keep staying dehydrated with a lot of healthy liquids. I will also try to make sure my roommates do this as well. :)

Blogged for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 3 hosted by Amy@Eco-Chic with Amy

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Chnage Week 2: Weekly Update

My SMART Goal for this semester is to stop drinking pop and start drinking more water, while using a re-usable water bottle. It is already a little challenging because I have always drank a lot of pop, so it has been hard to give it up. However, I have been drinking a lot of water, which I had been lacking lately. Drinking more water made me feel a lot healthier and more "up beat". 

Knowing that I am helping the planet by using a re-usable water bottle and helping myself be healhier is a huge fator is why I am staying motivated. I have been experiencing many feelings on this challenge. I have been frustrated when I have wanted to drink pop, yet, motivated most of the time and excited to see how I progress. 

This week I have learned to stay strong and keep motivated in order to achieve my goal.

Next week I plan to do the same thing. I am trying to get my roommates to do this as well so that it will be easier to stay strong. 

Blogged for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 2 hosted by Amy@Eco-Chic with Amy

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Chnage Week: 1 My SMART Goal

My SMART lifestyle change goal is to give up drinking pop and start drinking 3 glasses of water a day in a re-usable water bottle. This lifesyle change is eco-chic because I will stop throwing away several plastic bottles per week, which I feel is great for the environment.

I chose to start using a re-usable water bottle because i started drinking way too much pop and not enough water, causing myself to become dehydrated often. By giving up pop I will hopefully feel more healthy, and also I will be doing the environment a favor by not throwing away multiple bottles per week.

I am very excited to start this process because I have wanted a reason to give up drinking pop. Now, I can help myself and the environment at the same tim. :)

Welcome to Carrie's Environment

                                                       Welcome to Carrie's Environment!

My name is Carrie Jones. I am a Junior at UMD with a Community Health major and a Psychology minor. I love to work out, hang out with family and friends, travel, and cruise around the lake. This is the second blog I have ever made, so I am still new to blogs. I have already learned a lot of new and exciting things. My blog is going to be about tdifferent things we can do to help the environment such as recycling everything that needs to be recycled, car pool, and use the reusable bags for the grocery store. My main goal is to start drinking a lot more water so I am going to buy a reusable water bottle instead of throwing the plastic ones away every day. :)



There are 6 possible types of posts on my blog. They include:

1. Advocacy Project
2. Eye Openers
3. Reflections
4. Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change
5. Read 'n' Seed
6. Share and Voice

If you notice at the bottom of this post, the categories will be listed as labels. This post is has been labeled with all five kinds of posts.


       1.Carrie  http://carriesenviornment.blogspot.com/
       2. Kayla http://kaylasgreenland.blogspot.com/
       3. Danielle S http://daniellesdandyenvironment.blogspot.com/
       4. Rita  http://ritasrealm.blogspot.com/

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I plan on learning a lot in Environmental Studies and I Know that my "bad habbits" will start to change very quickly and I will try to educate my friends, family, and other peers on what I can to help change the environment.

Blogged for the Welcome Linky Party hosted by Amy@Eco-Chic with Amy



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