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.
I think small goals make a task like this easier and I also think that you are approaching this wisely. You can do it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ann. I thought your husband's ideas about conflict resolution was fascinating, if ambitious! I'm thinking you can work on inner conflict, and I'll work on drinking more water each day ;-)
ReplyDeleteHAPPY NEW YEAR.
ReplyDeleteHorseback riding helps--but your city probably is a tad crowded for that sort of thing. Though it is good on the back, and the legs and arms. Besides, four or five days a week at the barn, lifting hay, is quite a rewarding exercise as far as character-building goes. I run sometimes, because I love it, but I believe anything not kept in moderation is eventually a bad thing. Small goals are good; procrastination will someday be my downfall, I fear.
Have you read Watership Down? Fingers crossed I beat you to it.
M.E.
Happy New Year to you as well! Horseback riding (particularly 4-5 days a week) is probably out here in urban CA; plus, truth be told, I'm a wee bit scared of horses ;-) Perhaps I need to spend more time in the barn.
ReplyDeleteWatership Down has been on my to-read-list for, oh, a decade plus now. Looking good you beat me to it. I did download the audiobook, so it might make it on the workout rota soonish. Chance would be a fine thing!