A New Year ... Continuing to become a new and improved me! How about you?

I was never much for New Years resolutions. To me these are plans we make, that we figure we really won't achieve, otherwise we probably wouldn't have put them off so long. So instead, I take this time to reflect. Reflect on where I was when the year began, and where I am now. Am I happy with my progress? Did I make progress? What direction are things heading in for me, and is it the direction I WANT to be heading in, or am I way off course?

Not only do I apply this practice to my weight loss surgery journey, but to all aspects of my life, as they are all so intricately woven together, and all affect the other. Have you noticed, that when you are doing good things for yourself in yur wls journey, you feel better all the way around? Or when you do something positive in other areas, it tends to make it easier and more fulfilling to take care of your wls needs? I sure have. When life gets off kilter in one area, I suffer in all areas, and I am almost willing to bet it is the same for most of us.

As Kathy said in her post, this is the perfect time to take inventory of our lives. Determine what we need to do and how we will accompli**** It can be small goals and small steps that lead us to these goals, but we need to continue to move forward to where we eventually want to see ourselves.

For me, there are many areas of focus for me in this upcoming year. Some, small things, others not so small. Here's a glimpse of what I see happening for me in this next year:
>> going back to college to get my RN degree (I am now an LPN)-planning in progress. This week I should have everything in place to embark on this goal beginning Jan 17th. Then once i have my class schedule, I can organize other aspects of my life around it. I have also decided if I have to, in order to get in my study time and homework without interruption, i will rent a space for my camper to go to it to get away from everything. Nothing will stand in my way of doing well in this.
>> Drink less coffee and more water! I drink way too much coffee and not enough water.
>> Pre-plan meals better, so when i am super busy I am not left making sub-par choices for meals.
>> Take advantageof the fitness center at the college, if it is not too overcrowded. If this is not possible, get back to my Wii fit.
>> Setting firmer boundries with others in my life, so I am able to do what I need to do for myself. Life is so very short, and it is time for me to live for me more. If those who are in my life truly care about me, they will want this for me too.
>> Take a more disciplined approach to quitting smoking and actually succeed at it this time! (Kathy, I may need a month at your place for this one..lol)
>> Have my husband contact medicare to see if he qualifies for some in home care / assistance, to take some of the load off of me. Being that he is totally blind and disabled, I am almost certain he qualifies for some help in this area. We should have done this a long time ago!
>> Live as healthfully as possible and make the most of the awesome gift I received with my WLS, to continue to ensure my long term success in it. My goal in this area is to maintain my weight and tone up a bit. (I am fairly muscular, but have some areas that could use a little work).
>> Spend more time exploring this beautiful world I live in. More outdoor time, camping, hiking, travel as am able (which will be very limited with school...) etc.

So there you have it... just some of what I look forward to accomplishing in this new year, to become an even newer and improved me.

NEXT?????? What would you like to accomplish? Where will your focus be?

I love your approach to New Years' resolutions!  You have a lot to look forward to and great things to focus on this year.

This year, with RNY scheduled for 1/3, the obvious goal for me for the upcoming year is to get down to a healthy weight.  

Along those lines, though: my secondary goal is to start playing soccer.  Hopefully this spring, but more likely in the summer or fall... I have a long way to go before I can physically keep up with the women I used to play with, and I NEED to be able to keep up since I'm already at a huge disadvantage with them based on skill level.  

I's also like to spend more time outdoors, including taking my daughter camping this summer and hiking (we enjoy letterboxing, which is a great activity to get us outdoors and active more.  I use www.atlasquest.com, but we haven't done it in a year or so, and she's been asking).

Run a 5K, or at least pick one and register for it (even if it doesn't actually take place in 2011).

Spend less time complaining about my daughter's mistakes, and more time enjoying the wonderful young lady she is becoming.

Get my house organized and keep it that way, with regular daily, weekly, and monthly routines so I feel comfortable having guests at any moment.

How kewl! I had NEVER heard of letterboxing. I went to the site and read a bit about it. Interesting...
I too need to get my house organized and keep it that way. The hardest part is keeping it that way. My husband is blind, and leaves a lot laying around, because he sets it aside and forgets about it, and cannot see it to remember to take care of it, and also he has ots of spills, which can be soooo frustrating. Usually coffee, so it leaves nice yucky spots all over the carpeting, which is a very light tan.

All of your goals sound absolutely wonderful. I must say though that my favorite is the one about your daughter. I have discovered when i spend more time praising the good and less time complaining about the little stuff, everything gets better naturally, so look forward to enjoying that young lady of yours so much more, and her enjoying you more too.

You are embarking on an amazing journey to begin the new year with, with your wls. The transformation you will experience is absolutely miraculous! There will be tough times, and frustrating tmes, but they are all a part of the journey. When things get challenging, let us help you through them. When they are good, let us celebrate with you!

Yes, I have a busy year ahead, and i am sure it won't all be easy or fun, but I am making it a point to enjoy life more! I have worked hard and gone through alot to get to where I am physically and emotionally, and plan to just keep getting better at all of it.