Resolutions - 2013

In the past, I have created resolutions that were concrete. I wanted something I could measure: either I did it, or I didn't. This year, I thought I would try something new. This year, I am just going to try and be the best person I can me. What does that mean? How does that look?

Here are seven things I hope I can focus on every day...

What are your goals and resolutions for 2013?

Happy New Year!

It's time for my annual New Year's Resolution list... so here it comes!

Resolutions for 2012

1. Make a conscience effort to be healthier. I need to make my health a priority. And I need to do much better with my health goals than I did last year. (Goal 2011: Do one unassisted pull-up. I am no where near being able to do a pull up by the way. Not even close. I worked on that until I got engaged, and then wedding planning superseded gym time. Bad Kristina.)  But I think I am going to take this goal one month at a time (really one day at a time!) This month's goal(s): attempt to eat at least three veggie servings a day, and work out for 30 minutes at least three days a week. (Day three, and so far so good on the veggies, and have exercised twice!)

2. Unplug. As much as I love facebook-ing, pinterest-ing, reading blogs and writing my own, I realize how more productive I could be if I spend less time "plugged in." So... my goal is to be on there less. Same goes for the phone -- I just need to let it ring or bling-a-blong or ding or whatever. I am going to use the computer as my reward --- hard workout? BAM -- sit down for a few minutes and read a blog! Got done cleaning the house? BAM -- play on pinterest for a few minutes!  I just need to be careful not to over-reward myself. :)

3. Try new things. For me, 2011, was a year all about new things. It was an exciting year and I was really good about trying new foods, new drinks, new adventures. I want to continue that this new year. My goal is to try four new recipes a month and order something new when I go to restaurants.

4. Continue to sprinkle the world with kindness. I wish it weren't true, but it makes me a little sad to see how humanity and individuals have gotten so wrapped up in our own little worlds that we fail to pay kindness and respect to one another. I find myself getting more pessimistic and more self-centered when I am around people like that... so I will slowly rid myself of the negativity and make it a point to be uber-nice as often as I can. And, of course, to smile. Life is too short to be unhappy.

5. Enjoy life. I spend way too many minutes of my life fretting about things that just don't matter. I need to re-learn to 'Not Sweat the Small Stuff.' I need to appreciate as many minutes in as many days as I can, because really and truly, I am blessed person.

Another fresh new year is here . . .

Another year to live!

To banish worry, doubt, and fear,

To love and laugh and give! 

This bright new year is given me

To live each day with zest . . .

To daily grow and try to be 

My highest and my best! 

I have the opportunity

Once more to right some wrongs,

To pray for peace, to plant a tree, 

And sing more joyful songs! 

William Arthur Ward

Adventures in Fitness: Goals

I know, I know. It's terribly cliché ¹ to start talking about being healthier as soon as the new year hits. And to be honest, I go through this same cycle every... single... year. Each year I resolve to eat healthier, work out more, be a better person -- blah, blah, blah. Some years it has worked out for a while... others, well, not so much.

At first I had resolved that this year would be a year of no resolutions. I had resolved to not put any unneeded pressure on myself by creating resolutions I will inevitably give up because it stresses me out. That plan lasted a whole two weeks.

I caved. It basically started when Aaron and I joined the gym. He and I had been trying to work out on the at-home elliptical trainer in the office reguarly. (Admitting, he was much better at it than I; his 'regularly' was several times a week, mine was Mondays.) Then the stupid thing starting making this high-pitched squeaking noise. For some reason, this tauntingly annoying sound only reared its ugly head when my pathetic booty dragged itself aboard. That's when we joined the gym.

At the gym, they want to you to have 'goals' and 'plans.' My plan was to get my ass to the gym. But the not-so-subtle proding of the gym staff made me think... what could my goals be? I have had the lifelong goal of not being on the 'obese' (aka super-fat) end of the BMI Chart. (I would like to give mad props to myself for exiting out of the 'extremley obese' (aka super-ultra-fat) section of the chart about two years ago. Go me! But I digress...) I would be happy if I could stand proudly in the 'overweight'  (aka chubby and happy) section of the chart. But I figure that goal is always there. I needed a better one. So I stole one.

By the end of 2011, I will do one unassisted pull-up.*



* Stolen from my friend Chelsea's 30 by 30 list, featured on her blog Lovely Indeed.

¹ Cliché is in italics because it is French, and therefore needs to be in fancy pants italics. Ooh la la. You learn something new every day!