We Are Two Weeks In...

...and I'm curious as to how those New Year's resolutions are coming along.  Typically, resolutions are made and are usually broken by the middle of January.  Statistically speaking, the most popular "New Year's Resolution" is to get in shape or lose weight.  Believe me, I know it is difficult to keep this particular resolution.  I've made it many times in the past...and broken the resolution soon after the start of the New Year.


A few years ago, I decided to stop making resolutions and set goals for myself instead.  Yes, they are the same thing, but goal setting sounds much better than that nasty word "resolution".

For this coming year, I have set quite a few goals for myself and am currently on track to reach those goals.  Will I reach them all?  Nope.  Am I going to be disappointed?  Nope.  I believe that as long as I accomplish some of the things I've set out to do, then I will be successful.  I purposely made a long list of goals to challenge myself so that I would not just "settle" for something...or for anything.

One of the things I plan on continuing to achieve this year is to stay fit and healthy.



In November, I told you all about my weight loss adventure.  I've now reached my goal weight and I plan to stick to the eating and exercise habits I've started.

Another goal I've set for myself is to learn a foreign language.


Why?  I'm old and need the brain stimulation.  There is only so much I can learn from perusing Instagram and Pinterest all day.

Spiritual growth takes the top spot on my list.


Some days I feel that God is sitting right next to me and others, that He's as far away as the moon.  No one to blame but me.  Staying in the Word and lots of prayer keeps me close.  I just started a new Bible study and am thoroughly enjoying it!

I'm a type "A" personality with a little (okay, a lot of) OCD on the side....the hubster says that I'm a "triple type A" personality and often compares me to Adrian Monk.  I think that assessment is a little extreme, but....


In saying this, being focused, productive and staying on task are high on my priority list.  Now that I'm writing all of this, most of my goals rank high on the priority list...guess that's where the "type A" comes into play.  :-)

I cannot say enough about the goal of staying "unplugged" from technology for a little while every day.  I am inundated with all things "techno" and stepping away really puts life in perspective...helps me focus on relationships with people rather than things.


Remember those things called books...well, I plan to blow through quite a few of those this year...specifically the Pulitzer Prize Fiction list.  I've read some of them, now on to the rest....a challenge from one of my sisters.



What about you...how are you coming along with those resolutions, goals, plans, etc.?


24 comments

  1. Doing pretty well over here so far. I'm planning to lose 5 or 6 lbs. so I've joined Weight Watchers. That always works for me.

    I'm DARING myself to stretch this year and that will include less time at the computer.

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    1. Sitting in front of a computer absolutely kills me…my eyes and my bones ache after working for a while. Or it could be all those numbers I look at all day long…LOL

      I’ve never used Weight Watchers but hear it is an excellent program. Good luck! I’ve lost 23 pounds total and now have to maintain so that I don’t gain it all back! :-) Love and hugs to you!!

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  2. I don't make resolutions or goals....I am happy to get through the list I have for each day. I did have a goal a year ago to be in a retail setting with my vintage items and I have met that goal. I now need to sell and promote and buy and repeat! Congratulations on reaching your goal weight...now you need to work every day to stay there! I know the yoyo ride all too well and it only happens when I indulge too much. Balance is a good word!

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    1. I stopped doing it for a few years but I'm so bizarre that if I can't check things off a list then I feel that I haven't accomplished what I wanted to do...LOL I'm just weird that way. I think that is such an awesome goal that you accomplished...just wonderful! And yes, balance is good but so hard to do! :-) Love and hugs!!

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  3. I wrote an article about New Year's resolutions and surprisingly a lot of people still make them. 6 months later only 44% hare still working on them. I don't think that's really bad. And you are right, self improvement/health is number 1.

    For myself I'm trying to get more disciplined and organized. I've decided to switch my writing calendar around, read 1 book or more a week (the lake is a great place to do that), keep chipping away at that weight! Ugh!

    Wishing you all the best...I love My Fitness Pal.

    Jane

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    1. No, the 44% is definitely not a bad thing at all. I try to stick with mine until they are completed, but sometimes, life just gets crazy and I don’t get things done.

      I think those are great goals to have…discipline and organization go hand in hand. I’m still trying to figure out my writing calendar and how I’m going to post this year, so I didn’t include it. But I’m with you on the reading! Good luck to you also…My Fitness Pal is such an awesome tool to help lose weight!!

      Love and hugs!!

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  4. I love this, Benita. Love your open calendar, your achievements already (you go girl on the goal weight, woohoo!), and that last meme on goals wooshing by, lol. I've been pretty much unplugged from blogging so far this month and that has felt refreshing too. I have a couple home improvement projects going on, but no resolutions. Life is good. I hope you're doing great.

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    1. Thank you so much Rita! I feel that goals woosh right by sometimes and I don’t even realize that I missed them, but I do try to play catch up. :-) Unplugging is such a good thing. I work in front of a computer just about all day and I really enjoy being away from computers, phones, tablets, etc. I’m glad things are going well and yes ma’am, we are doing well! Love and hugs!

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  5. I am in awe of your goal-making skills. I always pick another time like May to decide to accomplish a few goals - less pressure that way.

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    1. Thank you ma'am...I try...it's always a hit or miss though. I like the way you think...LOL...definitely no pressure! :-)

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  6. You go girl. You have a great attitude to what you can achieve. Glad to see you so happy and achieving goals. I have been cutting back on the computer too and it feels pretty good. Hoping 2017 will continue to be healthy, happy and you finding so much joy in life.
    xoxo
    Kris

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    1. Thank you so much! Getting away from the computer and putting down my phone and those apps is such a liberating feeling. I feel like I’ve been unchained when I can get away from them. Hope your year is off to a great start and wishing wonderful things for you and your family this year also! Love and hugs!

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  7. I too have cut back from computer time as well. You are so right about feeling unchained. I know I feel good about the breaks I take from the social media. It really can be too much.
    I wrote about a New Experience tonight on my blog.
    Carla

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    1. It definitely makes a difference. I feel as though I rest better and can breathe when I take a break from everything….being able to be outdoors more is a big plus! I just read that…what a great thing to be able to do…scary, but so worth the time you spent doing it! Love and hugs!!

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  8. Good Morning Benita!
    Great post and a mindset that we both share.
    You know I woke up on January 1st and asked myself where did the girl go that I used to be...
    I am working really hard on reclaiming her and not letting "old" age claim her anymore. We must keep moving, stretching our minds, trying to new things and keeping a fit attitude and body.
    Technology has the potential to rob a person of all of the above and I am staying away from it as much as I can.
    Great post my friend.
    Wishing you a New Year full of happy moments, a keen mind and surprising joys!
    xo
    Jemma

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    1. Hi Jemma!! Thank you so much! I have been working hard to reclaim my body and my life as well. I always told myself I would not age gracefully but fight it every step of the way! And that's what I've been trying to do...change my mind, body and soul! Trying new things and going on new adventures is always a great way to keep one feeling young and energetic. That old saying that a "body in motion stays in motion" is so true! I hope your year is off to a great start and wishing you all the same wonderful things! Hope to see you soon! Love and hugs!

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  9. You are a very disciplined gal! Congratulations! Lots of good, healthy tips for body and soul. I will be seventy this year and don't want to spend the rest of my years on big pharma's hamster wheel. Too much screen time really bothers my eyes (and makes my a** bigger). Hey, nothing wrong with being a little Monk-like. One of my all-time favorite shows...along with David Suchet as Poirot. xoxo

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    1. LOL…I’m working on it and thank you so much! I’m right there with you…I suffer from those same maladies from being in front of the computer…thus the weight loss…LOL Monk is one of my favorite shows also…I can so relate to that character!! OMGosh….mine too….David Suchet is a perfect Poirot!! It is so hard to see him in Harry and the Hendersons after watching him in Poirot! LOL Love and hugs!!

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  10. I started my weight loss journey back in October, and so far I'm down 19 lbs - woo hoo! I'm nearly to my original goal....2 lbs to go....but now I'm thinking I'll go a little further! Feels great!! In addition, I am trying to add more exercise into my life. SO far, so good!

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    1. Congratulations!! That is so awesome! Doesn’t it feel wonderful to reach those goals. I did the same thing…set a goal and then decided to set a new goal…LOL. I exercise about 6 days a week. Sometimes for an hour or more, sometimes for 30 minutes…but I always try to do something that keeps me moving!! Love and hugs!!

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  11. Hey, I know it's going to be a great year for you! Reaching your weight goal is wonderful. I'm doing one month at a time. This month it's playing a game with myself where we don't spend anything on wants, just on needs and decluttering continues as we're about 6 months into reducing our "things" by 50 %. Well, I am...hubby is only shooting for 20% I think. YAY January!

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    1. Thank you so much…I was so excited about reaching my goal and weight and just to be able to wear shorts again…especially in this Texas heat! :-) I need to try that game also after we get moved and settled. Since we have moved so much, we pretty much have the decluttering down to an art, but there are a few more things I want/need to let go of….a moving sale will be in my future! :-) Love and hugs!

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  12. You are so focused!! I love it! My goal this year is to begin and then begin again each day until I get where I need to be. So far, it's going...that's the best I can report! ;) Miss you...

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    1. I'm working on it. Each day is a "work in progress" for me, but I do try to stay on top of things. I like your goal...that is an awesome one to have and I love goals like that...anything that makes us better than we were the day before is a fabulous thing! Miss you too sweet friend. My blog is an area that I'm working to improve...once we get moved I'm hoping to be able to be in a better routine. Being a "type A" an in limbo never works...LOL Love and hugs to you!!

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