Resolutions

Merry Christmas all!! As my wise sister-in-law Shelley said, its useless to start a new diet right before the holidays. I think if you are in the groove of the diet and have changed some eating practices, its a different story. But, as I haven't gotten my weight watcher books yet, no official weight losing starting yet. (But I have been eating more fruit, and even a carrot yesterday!)

So I've been thinking about some new years resolutions that I'd like to work on....
1. Lose weight- of course ;)- I'd like to ideally lose between 15 and 20 pounds. I'm too much of a chicken to post what I weigh on the internet, but my mom (in-law) invited me to join her weightloss group at church and they weigh in every monday....scary! But I dunno maybe I need that added pressure! Anyways, I digress, 15 to 20 pounds to lose. That puts me in the healthy range for my height and back at a pre-grad school weight that I was most comfortable with. I'd like to work it off before graduation in May, so in four months time.

2. Save money! We could definitely cut back on our grocery spending- especially going out to eat so much, which is probably why I gained weight in the first place haha! I would like to learn how to cook healthy, budget friendly meals, that don't take a lot of time in the kitchen or a lot of clean up. I'd also like to start a savings account for a trip fund-I love to travel :)

3. Watch less TV. Like, a lot less. Its not like I watch TV and do nothing else. I just like to have the background noise while I work. I'd probably get a ton more work done in a lot less time if I didn't do that anymore, so I am going to try to cut back to predetermined TV watching each week when my favorite shows come on. Maybe just Thursday nights, but we'll see.

4. Keep a daily devotional. Mom (in-law) got me a daily devotional book that goes through the year after "My Utmost for his Highness" (I think....). Anyways, it starts Jan. 1, so that would be something good that I'd like to keep up with.

5. Uh....graduate! With my license, and a job. Losing weight will be a cinch compared with all the work ahead in this last semester. Moment of truth, I'm actually the least confident about this goal! I've done well so far, a lot better than I'd thought I'd do. It's just the last big haul, the last barriers to being a grownup (hardy har har!) and its kinda frightening! Maybe I'm just afraid my thesis will be rejected- I have been having a lot of writers block and I have been really reluctant to work on it, or finish my IRB application (requesting permission from the university to conduct a research project). I also feel really behind, a lot of people are already starting on things, have gotten approval, etc. etc. Whats funny is I always get so much encouragement and success at things I didn't expect to do well at and I can't seem to get it to stick with me. People tell me I'm smart all the time, and I know that on some levels but I still worry a lot and stress about it. I sound ridiculous, but its good to get some of those fears out so I can see how silly they look.

I guess its important to follow mom's advice and not compare myself to others. That kinda rings true with this whole weight loss thing either. I shouldn't try to compare my successes or disappointments with others b/c we're made differently, and everyones diet and weight loss/gain whatever is going to be different. I know I'll never be a size 0- my body is just not made for that. I'm too tall and my bones would look funny. But I'd really be ok w/ a 7 or 9. Oh yes, that brings me to my last goal, or reward- get a pair of skinny jeans and wear them! This may be a while, maybe something to focus on, but I've really been wanting some and I already have the boots to match :)

Ok, this post was a lot longer than expected, but oh well it was good to write! Happy Boxing Day everyone :D