2012 Resolution #3 - Set (and measure!) Monthly Health and Fitness Goals

Um, isn't this everyone's New Year's Resolution? Lose weight.  Eat more healthy foods.  Get in shape.

Well, that's all well and good, but I've been trying to lose 10 pounds for about 10 years now, and all I have to show for it are the extra 8 pounds I've put on since the wedding.  (I'm not fat, I'm fluffy.)

However, with the passing of my grandfather and the advent of my 30th birthday this past year, I have decided that 2012 is about genes, not jeans.  Yes, it'd be fab to fit in a size four (um, I'm not really sure what that even looks like), but I'd so much rather live 89 HEALTHY years being able to enjoy the activities I choose.  So health and fitness goals it is.

In the name of accountability, I have decided that I will choose 1-2 monthly goals to concentrate on for each month of 2012.  These are going to be small, daily changes in my lifestyle that will hopefully create a long-lasting impact for my health and well-being.  Because, let's face it, I'm not giving up chocolate for the rest of my life.  I'm probably not even giving up chocolate for the rest of the day.

The challenge (besides, you know, actually achieving a goal) will be that these are cumulative goals.  Since the purpose of each of these goals is to create a lasting habit, each month will (hopefully) build on the ones that come before.  It's all about grace around here, though, so if I don't achieve a monthly goal, I'll have to figure out what went wrong and tackle it again.

Please feel free to chime in with advice and encouragement.  I have a feeling I'm going to need it.

2012 Resolution #2 - 52 New Recipes

It's amazing that no matter how many great recipes I have, I frequently find myself thinking "I have no idea what to cook for dinner!"  I love falling back on familiar favorites, but it's time to expand that list of familiar favorites - or at least find a few new things to whip out at dinner parties.

For the next year, I am determined to try 52 new recipes, averaging one recipe per week.  To further specify, at least 26 of these recipe must be main courses so that I can hopefully add to my collection of "favorites".

Suggestions are welcome, and be sure the check back for recipes and reviews!

Reading Challenges Galore!

Since I'm planning on reading 100+ books anyway... I might as well join a few challenges to keep me on my toes.

#1 : The Pulitzer 2's

I really wanted to join this challenge last year (when it was The Pulitzer 1's!), but between wrapping up a school year, planning a wedding, and executing a move, I wisely decided to refrain.  This year I'm all in, and I'm looking forward to acquainting myself with a variety of Pulitzer Prize winners (Although I am grateful to have already read The Good Earth, because I have no need to revisit that one!).

#2 : The Chunkster Challenge

Reading "big books" is not intimidating to me, but I want to ensure that I don't fill up my list with lightening quick reads starting in November.  I will be participating at the "Do These Books Make My Butt Look Big" level (six books, 2 at 450+, 2 at 550+, and 2 at 750+).

#3: The Victorian Challenge

I'm modifying this one a bit.  I will try to read one novel by each of the highlighted author's per month, for a total of 12 books.  Many of the authors I have read before, so I will enjoy exploring new works.  A few are on my "should read" or "why the heck haven't I read" list, and it's always nice to check those off!

There are several more tempting challenges, but I think three is enough to get started!  Happy reading, 2012!

2012 Resolution #1 - 104 Books

I have flirted with making New Year's resolutions off and on for most of the last 30 years, although it has always seemed strange timing.  To me, the new year has always begun in September, with the advent of the new school year.  However, considering I am not presently involved in a school year, I thought it might be time to reinvigorate the idea of setting some goals for 2012.

As a lifelong reader, I actually have no idea how many books I have read throughout the years.  If you were to ask me how many books I read this year, the answer would be "a lot".  Not very satisfactory.  So this year I am giving myself a personal goal, and we will see how easy or difficult this goal is to achieve.

And, of course, the internet comes to my rescue, because not only do I have the opportunity to make my goal public, but I also have the opportunity to join in a "formal" challenge hosted by Book Chick City.  So consider me formally engaged for the year!

My personal goal: Read 104 books in 2012, averaging 2 books per week

There are very few formal rules for this challenge, but I have created some of my own to prompt me in challenging myself:

1. Print and e-books are acceptable (as permitted by all challenges)
2. No Young Adult books
3. A book can only count for two challenges, if crossovers are permitted
4. Anthologies are permitted, if the entire book is read.
5. NO REREADING!

Fingers crossed and wish me luck - I'll be updating as I go!