Okay, I’ve read the research and I’ve tried to encompass everything I've learned into my long list of New Year’s Resolutions. With the exception of the first one, I am not expecting absolutes. I am focusing on small goals vs. the outcome of the resolutions. The outcomes for all are very positive and most of the expected outcomes I haven’t even mentioned here. What I am trying to do is commit to beginning and sustaining really good, healthy habits in 2012 until it becomes second nature! And that will be awesome. So without further ado, here they are, in no particular order.
1) No Gluten: This is my only absolute resolution. I need to cut out gluten completely. Why? I have a sensitivity to gluten. What will change if I eliminate it? Less gluten means less carbs so potential weight loss. Plus replacing the gluten with healthier options (think vegetables) will make my diet better overall. My asthma will improve, I'll feel better and I will be less tired. How do I know this? Because I spent a year gluten free and felt the best ever. But I let it creep back in so out it goes with 2011!
2) Drink More Water: No measurement here. Just drink more than I do now, which is zero. I think I will start out small and drink a cup every morning when I get up and start from there! What’s in it for me? I am a Diet Pepsi fanatic. I know it’s not good for me and I drink way too much. If I drink more alternatives like water, I may be able to cut down on my Diet Pepsi habit! Water is healthy. Water helps you lose weight! Water helps keep headaches away and clears your head. All good things!
3) Make a Dinner Menu: Make a weekly menu at least twice a month. No, I can’t commit to making one every single week but I can try at least twice a month! What’s in it for me? My grocery bill will be lower. I’ll have a specific list instead of wandering through the store, throwing things in my cart we really don’t need but look good as I’m passing through. I’ll have a plan for every night. So instead of getting home at 5:30 and wondering what I am going to make for dinner, I’ll already have it planned out! I can probably do a lot of it the night before since it’s written down. I’ll be sure that we have gluten free options because I won’t be desperate and clueless and resort to boiling some noodles for a meal. And I am quite sure we will eat healthier too. More planning means better choices!
4) Exercise: I will exercise at least 3 times a week. More than just a casual stroll around the block with Truman. I mean longer walks, getting on the treadmill, popping in a yoga DVD, etc. By spring I would like to be back into running. That would make me very happy! What else is in it for me? Stress relief. Feeling better about myself. Gaining strength.
5) Drink Coffee: I am not a big coffee drinker and this probably seems like a strange resolution. But an article in my Real Simple magazine says that women who drink 3 cups of coffee a day are less likely to be depressed! And my Psychology Today magazine says coffee helps your brain. Plus, as with water, if I drink more of a different liquid, I may be able to get off my Diet Pepsi kick! My goal? Small. One cup a day. I have a little Keurig single cup maker so I’m all set.
6) Bring My Lunch To Work: Lots of good reasons for this. It will save me about $25 dollars a week. Yeah! It will help me stick with my gluten free promise to myself. It will help me eat less and better because I will plan ahead. The trick is I need to pack my lunch at night so I’m ready to go in the morning. The reason why I don’t bring my lunch ever day now is that I don’t have anything prepared and don’t want to take the time in the morning.
7) Use My State Park Sticker: I get a state park sticker every year for Christmas. Thank you! And I love the state parks. But this year, I only used it once, which is disappointing. There are many reasons to visit the state parks. If I visit the state parks more often, it will mean I am spending more time outside in nature, which I love. It will also mean I’m getting more exercise, hiking the trails or biking. And if I bring Truman, he will get more exercise too! And I’ll get some great pictures! So I need to put that State Park Sticker to good use this year!
8) Volunteer Less: What? This probably sounds bad. But I spend a fair amount of time volunteering. My daughter and I spend a good deal of time volunteering for a local animal rescue organization. See “Volunteering Is Not For Sissies” in my past blogs. This year I was also asked to be on the Planning Committee for the local Walk to Defeat ALS. My friend Lola was battling the disease and of course I said yes when they asked me to volunteer. Little did I know it would be so all-consuming. My friend Lola passed away just shortly before the walk. So it was bittersweet and I was so thankful I was able to help. But the Planning Committee on top of the Animal Rescue on top of a very time-consuming job, was honestly too much for me. I was exhausted and I didn’t do as great of a job as I would have liked to for each of the groups, which was a personal disappointment. I will still volunteer and help out where I’m needed but I will be more mindful of my time so I can do a great job with my volunteer work!
9) Better Balance Between Work and Home: This has always been a struggle for me. I summoned up a lot of courage this week and requested a flexible work arrangement. And surprisingly, it was approved. I wasn’t expecting that! Now I need to figure out how this is going to work! I will work four 10+ hour days a week and have a day off instead of working 5 days a week. So that’s a step in the right direction! The trick is going to be not spending my day off, working on stuff for work! Let’s see how I do!
10) Spend More Time With Friends: I did not do a good job of this in 2011. Part of it is because I am an introvert. I recharge by spending quiet time along and I was so tired this year, I just didn’t have the energy to spend a lot of time with friends. Take a look at all the resolutions above to figure out why I was so tired! I have wonderful friends who love me no matter how much of a hermit I am and I really enjoy being with them. So I need to make a bigger effort to be there in 2012! Life is sometimes very short. I learned that the hard way this year. And regret is not easy to live with.
So there it is. My long list of New Year’s Resolutions! Just under the wire! I’ll check back in from time to time to evaluate my progress!!
Happy New Year to everyone! May 2012 bring you a host of excellent habits, strong friendship, love and success! And may you find humor in whatever comes your way!
Keep on smiling!
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