A Resolution by Any Other Name

I realize it’s only semantics, but I get intimidated by the word, “Resolution.” Every one wants to know if you’re making any New Year’s Resolution. For the past several years I have resolved to make no New Year’s Resolutions. And I have done a FABULOUS job of sticking to it! But the fact of the matter is that there are changes I can and should make in my life, and the new year is as good a time as any to get started.

1) Lose 20 pounds
A year ago I weighed 175 pounds. After a traumatic year of separation from my husband and a pending divorce, my brain had been in a shock-like fog for a year. I wanted– I needed– to begin the process of finding myself again. One thing I had always wanted to do was to be one of those “fit” people. I applied to take part in a weight loss contest sponsored by my local YMCA and a local radio station. As one of Rob’s Big Losers, I lost about 10 pounds in 13 weeks, and converted a lot fat into muscle. It was a GREAT start. But now I’m ready to revitalize that commitment and work even harder to lose weight this year. Twenty pounds in 52 weeks. That’s doable, right? I weighed myself yesterday and I was at 164 pounds. Granted, I haven’t been lifting weights as much as I had been, so I’ve lost some muscle, but I’ve kept off those 10 pounds. I want to get down to 145, which is reasonable for my 5′ 6″ frame.
(Note: As of this writing, +Rob Dempsey  is looking for more contestants for his Big Loser challenge! If you’re in the Greenville, SC area, click HERE to learn more about Rob’s story and to apply!)

2) Run. A lot.
I’ve done plenty of 5k runs. It’s time to step it up a notch. Next year, when I’m 40, I want to run my first half-marathon. So the ramp-up needs to start now. I’m already signed up to run a 5K on January 12th. I’m going to look for a 10k to run in April. And then I’ll run one 10K a month in May, June, July, and August. Wow. I’m overwhelmed just thinking about that. I have to take it in baby steps– I pledge to run 5 miles this week. That’ll give me time to find some training plans to help me get to my goal.

3) Write more.
There has always been this writer person wanting to come out of me, and I never quite let her escape. This year I WILL enter a fiction writing contest, and I will be more consistent with my blogging. You’re welcome.

4) Read more.
Part of getting back to who I am is getting back to reading. Two years ago I created a list of 24 books that I wanted to read in 2011. I maybe read one or two of them. I used to read three books a weekend. Granted, that was before I had kids, but still– I should be able to read a few books a year. So, that list is still around, ready to to be tackled. The good news is that I now own a lot of the books on that list, I just need to actually read them.

This needs to also be the year where I resuscitate my life. That divorce is still pending, my life is pretty much on hold, I am struggling to find full-time employment, and my kids and I are still living with my parents. By this time next year, I hope to be on a new path of independence. Only God knows where any of us will be next year, but that is my prayer.

What are your resol– er… goals… for 2013?