Writing it Down, Keeping a Record, and Measuring the Progress

I have about three goals that I want to work toward over the next year.  I don't want to consider these goals resolutions because they are really ongoing and will always be ongoing..but this is the end of the year when we reflect over the last year and say, wow, I wish I had done or next year I will do...  

• I will lose the weight that I gained over the last few months. That means I will go back to journaling my food intake, avoiding glider foods, and counting my calories
• I will start running again.   This requires me going to the gym and working out on the treadmill and with weights.  I have a trainer who is going to work with me three times a week.
• I am going to say no.   I say yes to everyone and as a result, I spread myself way too thin.
• I am going to pamper myself.   I have let my hair go until it is way longer than it needs to be for my age; plus, I have four free massages that I have not used and why I don't know...I am going to make four appointments and get the spa treatment with the massages.   
• I have to give up some of this caffeine.   I'm going to replace the diet coke with water and cut the coffee down to one cup a day.   My plane is start cutting it out slowly over the next few weeks.   

I'll let you guys know how this all turns out...hopefully I will do a monthly update.    

Who else is going to join me in the newer and improved us.  

I hate New Year's resolutions, because I hate making promises I can't keep. However, I'm going to join you because I need some accountability. 

I've thought about this today so here goes:

I'm going to start journaling my foods too. I had success on MyFitnessPal, so I'm going back to that. 

I need to get some strength into my quads, so I will start using the weights on my leg lifts. My left leg is very weak. 

Once I'm over this sinus crud, I'm going to look into joining the Y. Now that I've paid off one bill, I have a little more. I love swimming, but haven't been able to do it because of the cost. 

I make no promises about losing weight because I don't want to break them. I just want to form better habits. 

Eileen,

The PT guy said the best thing I can do for my knees is to build up my quads...and he said to do it very slowly.   Swimming is the one thing that I love to do too, but it requires so much time for me.    My job affords me the use of a trainer or a trainer at a very low price and we did our consultation and he suggested starting out doing pool exercises and doing a little swimming.   But, he also said walking is an excellent way to build up my legs too.   Baby steps is what we both will focus on.    I have to lose the weight or buy a larger pair of pants and I am not doing that. LOL.    I am eager to hear your progress. 

Hello Jeannie....here I am!!!

Like Eileen, I am not going to post how much I lose. I will be glad at any amount. I will try harder to eat healthier!

I will walk the halls as often as I can. I will increase the length of the walks and speed as I can. If it wasn't for my falling down I would set a goal to get rid of my walker. Maybe at some point I can. It will be baby steps for me.

I do have weights and will use them as I can. 

I did pamper myself and had my long hair cut off about three months ago. I have it very short and it feels so good. I have natural curl so it is easy to fix. I shower, put some mousse in it, lift through it with my fingers. That's it!!! I also have my hair highlighted.

Hope we get a few others to join in. Thanks for starting this for us!!

Love and hugs to you....connie d

Connie, 

When I began having so much problems with my knee and had to cut out every activity that I was doing to keep my weight down, I walked the halls at work.   It was a safe place to walk slowly and I plan to keep doing the every hour walk up and down the hall.   I like your determination and I know once you get going and build up your stamina, you will be doing so much better mentally.   You are like me, a girl who needs to be on the go.  

Hi Jeannie....I was a strong and energetic person only a couple years ago. I could and would do anything. Now I am a shell of who I was. Someone even said that to me last week.

I am walking the halls here in the evenings mostly when everyone is in for the night. Some days are better then others. I hate how I feel, like I have let myself down. I have so much fatigue and pain it just never stops unless I take a narcotic. I will not live having to take narcotics. They only last about 4 hours. They aren't worth it to me!!It takes me the whole morning to shower and dress. It just goes on and on. Sorry to blab. I just get so depressed over my so called life!!

I will walk as much as I can....I will try to push a little each day if I can. There is no way I can walk every hour. So far twice a day is it. I will do this!!

Love you....HUGS....connie d

Hi Jeannie,

Like Connie said, thanks for suggesting this.  I also need accountability.

My goals are:

* Journal my food and exercise each day. 

* Meditate each day.  I'll start with ten minutes and work toward 30 minutes each day.

*Go to the Y daily, alternating swimming, elliptical, and machines.  I want to work up to 30 minutes on the elliptical, and swimming.  Having not done anything in months, I will be lucky to get ten minutes done right now.

* Clean up my diet.  Carbs are my downfall.  I want it to be as clean as it was before my alcohol relapse in December '07.  

I like being held accountable.

Patricia,

Accountability works for me too.   I think if we just drop a line once a week to get it off our chest and do a little bragging on our progress we will do better.  

Sounds great to me.

Thanks.

I said I would do it and I meant it...tenants will NOT be FIRST anymore!! I AM!!!!!