My SMART goal: Over the next ten weeks I will use reusable water bottles 100% of the time when drinking water and other beverages such as coffee, sports drinks and juice and I will consume 8 glasses of water a day. Over the course of the project I added the "consume 8 glasses of water a day" part because I wanted to challenge myself and drink more water through out the day.
Successes
Overall I believe that I was successful reaching my goal. I was able to use a reusable water bottle the majority of the time and I significantly increased the amount of water I drink during the day. I have also started drinking less soda, coffee, and sports drinks because they are no longer convenient.
Challenges
I faced many challenges during this lifestyle change. I found it the most difficult to stick with my goal when I was traveling and out of my normal environment. I also had a difficult time drinking 8 glasses of water a day at the beginning but as with any lifestyle change it takes time.
Future
In the future I plan on sticking with this lifestyle change. Using reusable containers and drinking more water has too many benefits to go back to the way I used to do things.
In the future I plan on sticking with this lifestyle change. Using reusable containers and drinking more water has too many benefits to go back to the way I used to do things.
Benefits
My personal benefits include: saving money, saving on waste, less headaches, drinking less soda and sports drinks, and improving my overall health.
My personal benefits include: saving money, saving on waste, less headaches, drinking less soda and sports drinks, and improving my overall health.
Behavior Change
I learned a lot about behavior change in general from this project. I learned that it takes time and focus in order to change a behavior. It took me awhile to steer away from bad habits and I had to constantly remind myself of my goal. I also learned that if you stick with something it will continue to get easier until it is a new habit.
I learned a lot about behavior change in general from this project. I learned that it takes time and focus in order to change a behavior. It took me awhile to steer away from bad habits and I had to constantly remind myself of my goal. I also learned that if you stick with something it will continue to get easier until it is a new habit.
Environmental Benefits
When deciding not to drink out of plastic bottles I also decided not to be a part of the following problems:
Americans will buy an estimated 25 billion single-serving, plastic water bottles this year. Eight out of 10 (22 billion) will end up in a landfill.
-- Container Recycling Institute
Worldwide 2.7 million tons of plastic are used to bottle water each year.
-- OneWorld
1.5 million barrels of oil is used annually to produce plastic water bottles for America alone - enough to fuel some 100,000 U.S. cars for a year.
-- Earth Policy Institute
When deciding not to drink out of plastic bottles I also decided not to be a part of the following problems:
Americans will buy an estimated 25 billion single-serving, plastic water bottles this year. Eight out of 10 (22 billion) will end up in a landfill.
-- Container Recycling Institute
Worldwide 2.7 million tons of plastic are used to bottle water each year.
-- OneWorld
1.5 million barrels of oil is used annually to produce plastic water bottles for America alone - enough to fuel some 100,000 U.S. cars for a year.
-- Earth Policy Institute
By drinking out of reusable containers I am lowering my carbon footprint and negative impact on the earth!
I Will Continue!
I will continue to use reusable containers to drink water and coffee! I will also strive to drink 8 glasses of water a day.
I will continue to use reusable containers to drink water and coffee! I will also strive to drink 8 glasses of water a day.
Recommendations
Stick with your goals and follow through!
I suggest that everyone use re-usable water bottles to cut down on the amount of plastic we use and abuse.
Blogged for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 10 hosted by http://ecochicwithamy.blogspot.com/
Stick with your goals and follow through!
I suggest that everyone use re-usable water bottles to cut down on the amount of plastic we use and abuse.
Posts
I love the pictures! I also like the facts you added toward the end of the post! It's great that you are going to stick with your lifestyle change!
ReplyDeleteI really like the facts that you uncluded..good for you for sticking with your goal!!
ReplyDelete