Another Year Gone

As I sit here alone on another New Year’s Eve I realize that I have a problem. The problem is that I never finish anything I start. Sound familiar? If you’re anything like me it will – I think I have ADD.  Oh, and once again I am bringing in another new year alone…. bummer huh.

The being alone part isn’t necessarily a bad thing considering I seem to have a lousy sense of judgment when it comes to choosing a mate but it would be nice to at least have a good friend to share some time with.  The few friends I have managed to keep over the years have moved away.   Although we keep in touch it isn’t the same as having someone to hang out with.

If I had a nickel for every project I have started without completion I would have actually had a retirement plan.  But, since I haven’t I’m sitting here looking at a mid-life situation that could turn into a real crisis if I don’t learn to finish some projects and create some sort of retirement plan other that just winging it.

Of course every year I, like most people, I make New Year’s resolutions.   And like most people my resolutions aren’t kept.  Why?  Probably for the same reason most people’s resolutions fail – lack of a good plan, motivation and perseverance.

Part of my plan this year is to write down my goals, which is what I am going to do here.  I also will post a list on my refrigerator so I’ll see it everyday.  Hopefully this will help me complete this project.

I currently weigh 230 lbs standing at 5’5” so obviously losing weight is a priority.  I am 45 years old with a birthday around the corner in April so while I’m looking at age 50 just around a few more corners and feeling how every joint in my body hurts when I try to pull myself out of my lazy chair I’m thinking it is time to make losing weight a priority in my life.  While I was still closer to the 200 mark than the 250 I was at least still feeling good but the last 20 lbs has started to make me feel sick and in a lot of pain.  So, now is a good time to get serious about losing weight.  Goal #1 – Lose at least 25 lbs by the end of this first year.  My end goal is the lose 100 pounds by the time I turn 50.  I might be able to accomplish this all in one year but I think I would be safer with trying to lose about 2 lbs a month versus 8 – at least then if I only lose 2 lbs I won’t feel like a failure and give up. 

First part of the weight loss plan is to stop snacking while watching TV.  I figure this is when I eat most of the unhealthy foods so this step alone should cut out many calories of my normal diet.  Second step is to exercise at least 30 mins. per day.  I go swimming about three times a week so I just need to find something to do on the other 4 days.  Time to open that Pilates DVD I bought a few years ago.

I’ll probably add ideas to the weight loss plan but another great thing, for those of you who may read this, to do to help lose weight is drink at least 10 glasses of water per day.  To help me in this goal I write down all I eat and drink throughout the day.  This also helps me reduce my soda intake (or pop as some folks say).  I drink Diet Dr. Pepper but although it has no calories it has sodium and other stuff that isn’t good for me. 

Goal #2.  Save Money.  For someone who barely makes enough money to get through the month this can be a little tricky.  One way I plan to do this is to start using cash for my groceries.  This way I can stick to a budget better rather than whipping out my bankcard every time I go to the store.  Also – start throwing my change in a jar.  One year I paid for all my Christmas shopping out of tip money I saved in a jar.  I don’t get tips anymore but change can add up pretty fast if I hide it from my teenager.  The rest I have budgeted to save won’t save long because I am remodeling this place I recently bought – it’s a dump but that’s another story.

Goal # 3 and 4 are combined.  I love to write but when I get started I have trouble stopping.  Then I get burned out and stop writing for several months.  I have started several blogs that haven’t gone anywhere – including this one, and I was writing articles for sites like Helium.com and Examiner.com but stopped several months ago.  So – goal #3 is write more and goal #4 is to manage time better.  So to accomplish this I will write for at least 30 mins per day but no more than an hour – or so.  But then again, I don’t usually get time alone to write so it might take longer to account for interruptions from children.

Speaking of children… I have 5 children all together – three are over 18 and the younger two are currently age 13 and 4.  This part is a longer story than I care to write at this time but lets just say I unfortunately live with regrets.  Regrets that I haven’t devoted more of myself to my children.  Goal #5 is to spend more quality time with my family – especially my children.  During Christmas dinner I announced to my family that we are going to start meeting once per month for dinner or some sort of fun activity.  Hopefully this will grow into a huge family event including extended family members also.  I’m thinking bowling would be awesome!  Another part of this goal is to spend 30 mins per day totally devoted to my 4 yo daughter.  I’ll find a way to spend more time with my son but it will be hard to pull him away from his Xbox. 

Well – I started this New Year’s Eve and now it’s just after midnight – Happy New Years everyone!