Like most people, I always have create new year resolutions, the same ones over and over again, only to have them pretty much crap out by the end of the year. So, this year, I am taking a slightly different approach and focusing on goals for the year instead of generic resolutions.
So, what are my goals and resolutions for this year?
- Lose 20 pounds by mid-June. Right now, I weigh 183 pounds and, according to my Tanita scale, have 26% body fat. That's just utterly disgusting and embarrassing, and it's detrimental to my health. After dealing with the cancer, I know that this is necessary. I believe that 20 pounds is realistic. I am also focusing on that body fat percentage. The goal there would be to be down to 20% by then. Why June? That's when I will be going back to the Midwest for a series of weddings. This goal is the mother of all goals and breeds some resolutions for the year.
- Reduce my intake of soda, diet or otherwise. I've been reading how many calories even the diet drinks really have. I'm sure it's not chock full of goodness either.
- Join a gym. I've been just running outside for the most part. But I need to start lifting and putting some muscles on. That helps burn more fat.
- Yoga. While most people would be shocked by me saying that, some people have convinced me that it would good for me to do for the various activities I do and for my health. I haven't yet decided if I'll do this as part of a gym routine, or go to a yoga specific studio (and, yes, I'd be avoiding certain studios).
- Not drink as much beer everytime I go out. This will probably be really hard to do, but I probably don't need to consume as much as I can. But I definitely won't be giving it up. I like beer way too much.
- Reduce my intake of soda, diet or otherwise. I've been reading how many calories even the diet drinks really have. I'm sure it's not chock full of goodness either.
- Snowboard at least 10 times this season. I really would like to have a goal of snowboarding every week, now that I have a mountain pass. In the past, what used to hold me back was finding people to go with and the traffic. Now, I've met so many people and have learned of various carpools. And also, with the flexibility in work, I can go midweek and work on the weekend instead. That makes it easier to be motivated.
- Travel abroad. I have the travel bug right now. So, I really want to go somewhere overseas. Unfortunately, there are so many options and so little money. Of course, now, part of me wouldn't mind being in a little bit of debt for personal travel, but in a reasonable manner. I am hoping that I can do this as part of work so that money and vacation time no longer become an issue. I don't know yet how reasonable that is. But I really want to hit Africa by the end of the year and climb Kilimanjaro. Having this goal also helps me with the first goal because I know I have to be in shape to do it. It'll also mean doing some 14'ers prior to that. It would also be great to go to Europe. I have been thinking about going to Paris and practicing my French.
- Get my Java developer certification. This is something that I've been holding off for several years. I think it's just about time to just do it. This most likely won't help me with my career. So, it's mostly for ego.
- Volunteer somewhere. I've been applying for volunteer positions as various cancer centers. Ideally, I'd like to work with kids with cancer, but the waiting lists tend to be pretty long. I'm hoping to get something soon. I just think that I can provide a bit of support to someone else who's going through the same things that I did.
- Have my house fully decorated. I have not been fully focused on filling out my house with furnishings and decoration. Now that I am committed to living here, I need to make my house comfortable to live in. I've already started the work, just need to finish it.
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