Sunday, January 3, 2010

New Years Resolution

Here it is again, that time of year when we all decide to do something different in our lives. The new year brings us a new opportunity to change those things that we aren't happy about. Some people may choose to diet, or further their education, or a variety of other things. I am choosing to do those things and many more this year. In order to hold myself accountable, I am choosing to share my resolutions publicly. I challenge my readers to do two things. Check in on me, I want you to hold me accountable too. I will be posting about progress (and frustrations) here for you to read. The second challenge, if you feel comfortable, share your resolutions with me, if anything to just make me not feel alone. :-) We can all support each other grow in this new year.

The first resolution, and I know I am not alone in this, is to be healthier. I am back on the Body for Life program. I have planned my week, went to the store and bought everything I need. My problem is I am away from home for about 12 hours a day. When I get home, I don't feel like cooking. I usually either pick something up on the way home, or pull something quick from the refrigerator or pantry, not usually the healthiest. Today (and every Sunday) I plan on cooking up a storm, portioning out my meals for the week and enjoy. No more hitting the fast food on the trip home, with having meals already prepared, I can come home and heat and eat something healthy.

The other half of being healthy is getting myself to move! One of the things that is a huge challenge for me is working out. I have a torn tendon in my ankle that scares me. I am prone to turning it and re-injuring it. I was starting to be a runner (granted it was years ago) and I enjoyed it. I plan on starting out slow and am seeing a surgeon to try to take steps to repair the ankle for good. Until then, I am taking things slow. I found a Wii under the Christmas tree this year. I went out yesterday and purchased the "Your Shape" for the Wii. I started with my profile and did the initial fitness test. (I will mention that I "tested" well, but I am a bit sore today already! No pain, no gain, or I guess in my case, loss...) There were several things I like about this game, and therefore, the reasons I purchased it. First of all, I didn't need to purchase the Wii Fit. Since it is after Christmas, the finances just weren't there to fund this purchase, although it is something I will most likely buy in the near future. The second reason I decided to purchase this game is that the package comes with a camera that attaches to the Wii sensor bar. The camera detects your movements to ensure you are doing the motions properly. One of the most frustrating things about exercising is doing all this work and not seeing the results. I am excited about having someone to check my form and not be in a gym for all to see my being corrected. I am just not ready for that kind of public humiliation. :-) The game also scans your body (and no I didn't try to suck anything in!) to get an accurate representation of your body. This scan allows for the computer to suggest areas that you might need help on. There is a calendar that allows you to select the number of work outs you want to schedule per month and time. I am excited to get to working out with this program. I think that the fact that it is "game like" and in my home may make it harder to ignore. It allows me the flexibility to work out at any time. We will see how it goes....

The second thing that I am going to focus on this year is myself. Ok so I know being healthy is focusing on myself, but there are other parts of me to focus on. I am going to further my education and get a certification to help further my career. I am also going to focus on being more organized. I can be really focused and organized at work, but I need to bring that home. I am going to get into a routine to make life easier. I am hoping that since I have my Sundays planned out with cooking that I can portion out the rest of the tedious tasks around the house during the rest of the week. If I schedule out my evenings, I can accommodate not only the work out routine, but also the dusting, laundry etc. I am hoping that becoming a mom with a routine will help encourage my daughters to do the same. I also want to ensure that if I have scheduled myself to do all of these things in the time allowed, it will allow for me to do some of the things I love. I want to write more as well. I have said it before, but writing is the door to my soul and provides me with sanity. I am doing more to ensure that my stress level is in check. I am hoping that writing will help me with that.

I will continue to be a dreamer this year though. There are dreams that I refuse to give up on. Dreaming makes me happy. I don't think I am unrealistic in my dreams. I know what I love to do, where I would love to be, and who I would love to be. After all dreaming is the imaginative thoughts indulged while awake.

As I write I am enjoying one of my protein shakes. I guess that is a good start. Now if you'll forgive me, I have some cooking to do. I hope you all have a blessed new year and it brings you all that you dream about.