New Year's Resolutions

Hi Everyone,

Are you going to be staying up until the ball drops tonight?  I'm hoping to, since we'll be going out with good friends.  But, I bet we head for the cab ride home at about 12:01 AM! 

As many of you know, I'm a lifetime Weight Watcher.  I love that organization, because it's just so practical to not deny yourself any foods, and to use the combination of a healthy diet, plenty of exercise, and the support of others.  At a meeting this week, we were asked to look back on 2011, and write down three things we accomplished during the year to improve our state of wellness.  I liked that exercise, and the holistic approach.  We didn't have to limit ourselves to writing down things that had to do with food and/or exercise.  I also liked, of course, that it was an exercise in optimism!  :-)  One thing I wrote down was that I started this blog!  Another item I listed was that I started playing ping pong with a good friend, almost daily, and therefore developed a new (healthy) passion.  The third thing, sorry, is private.  But, be assured, it was a very positive accomplishment.

So, after that, it was time to look to next year, and write down three healthy goals.  Are you a resolution person?  I know that people are clearly either way.  Either, someone is like myself, and really enjoys taking a look at what they can improve on, or try; while others, and I respect this, feel there is no need to make resolutions on January 1, but prefer working on self-improvement on an ongoing basis.  I guess I just like to do both!  Some studies have shown that if you share your goals too much, you are less likely to stick to them, so that's something to keep in mind.  What seems to work for me is to go ahead and talk about my goals to a few key people, and then to hold myself accountable by keeping a chart of some kind, at least until I've reached the three week habit-forming mark.

That being said, I won't share too much, so I don't jinx myself.  But, one goal that I'd love for people to hold me accountable for is to schedule an appointment with myself, at least one day a week, perhaps at the library, where I spend several hours working on my book.  As many of you know, I'm working on a workbook for middle-schoolers, where they get to work on their self images, while at the same time learn about wellness in general.  Feel free to bug me about this one, OK?  It's something I always want to do, but often find myself doing so many other things I like to do instead, most of all that require moving around, rather than sitting and focusing on something for long periods of time.  Hmmmmmm,  does this sound like adult ADHD?  If so, I love it all, so I'm not too concerned.  I am clearly committed to finishing that book someday, but the sooner the better.

That's all for this year, folks!  I wish you a very happy and HEALTHY new year!  If you'd like to share any of your reflections for 2011, or resolutions for 2012, I'd love to hear about them. 

I wish you wellness.

Mary