passing of time

Happy new year!

Each year seems to pass a little faster than the one before. As a kid, time passed so slowly...now I wish it would feel that way again. Some things about growing up are sad, this is one of those things. I need to learn to slow down...to not have to fill every moment with something productive.

This year, I have no goals for my weight like I usually do, but am intead concentrating on becoming healthier. I have been having serious problem with my digestive system again. It seems I have been having troubles for years now, off and on. I don't like doctors and I don't like hearing bad news so I have been putting this off since I got back from vacation in October. I suspect I have some type of gluten intolerance/allergy. Maria thinks I might have IBS. I enjoy learning to eat healthier but I want it to be my choice, not forced upon me by some syndrome or illness. Ugh! So, my goal is to actually go to the doctor to get this figured out once and for all so I can feel better.

Also, I need to concentrate on getting to sleep. I stay up entirely too late (part of not being able to slow down and relax). I am so tired that I have no energy or desire to get out on my bike. I do want to...just not enough to make it happen. I don't like feeling sluggish the way I have been. I am starting by giving myself an 11 o'clock bedtime. Still too late but far better than what I've been doing.

Again, I am setting a goal to read the entire triple combination.

And I also have a goal to finish at least 3 of the projects I've started over the years that just sit there, partially completed.

Just four goals...shouldn't be too hard, but I have an idea it will take some work.

New year, new goals

Another year has gone by, quicker than the last, it seems. Funny how the older you get, the faster the years go by. I want them to go slower now....

Anyway, It' the time of year to make new goals for yourself. I thought I'd take a minute to do just that.

Last year I made some goals for myself. They were:

1. read the Book of Mormon

2. eat healthy

3. exercise 3 times a week (not counting dog walks)

4. socialize Tucker

5. keep my house cleaner

6. be able to do one pull up by the end of the year

I have accomplished 1 & 6 (though I could at one point in the spring, I can't do a pull up right now). I did 2, 3 & 5 really well at points and really not so well at other points though this was a pretty good year, I think. 4...well, I gave it a shot and decided that with how much negative exposure he gets walking with the other dogs, there's just no way I could get out enough with him to combat it...so sadly, I have resigned to having another dog who doesn't like other dogs.

So this year, I will make a few more:

1. read the whole triple combination

2. ride 1500 miles on my bike (probably too much with no tour planned but we'll see...

3. reduce the sugar I eat

4. I won't get an overdue fees at the library (I'm horrible at that!)

5. finish painting/glazing the bathroom cabinets

6. start a garden

7. get my clothes line set up

8. get the basement organized

Ok, looks like a long enough list. I can do it!

I hope everyone's year has started off well so far and that it gets better as the year goes on!

New exercise goals

At the beginning of the year when I started to work out again (haven't done it in three weeks since getting my cold) I got a pullup bar that goes over a doorway. I tried to do a pullup and a chinup. I can move about an inch and that's it! So I made a goal that I'll be able to do at least one pullup by the end of the year. Since then I've been doing negative pullups to build strength. A negative pullup is when you jump up into the top position on the bar and slowly lower yourself using your muscles. It's a lot easier than a pullup and it works all the same muscles. That's what the little booklet it came with said to do to build strength. They're actually pretty hard but unlike a pullup, I'm able to do them. The first time I did them, I did about 6 of them and for the next few days, my arms were SOOO sore! They haven't been sore like that since that first time though. My chest, arms and abs do feel a little sore each time I do them now though...but nothing that keeps me frmo moving in any direction at least.



The other goal I've made for myself is to become more flexible. Maybe you don't know this about me but I am VERY unflexible and have been more stiff than anyone else I've known. I guess that's what happens when you bike and skate all those years and almost never do a single stretch. Besides that, if I do the stretching right before I get into bed, it helps relax me. The stretches are a bit painful but as soon as I release my legs from them, it feels good and loose. So to make a measurable goal, I have chosen splits as my goal. There are three types of splits:, left, right and center. The center is the hardest to do. Left and right are technically on the same level but I've found that my right leg is more flexible than my left. As of right now (I didn't think to measure before I started but I haven't made a ton of progress just yet anyway) my left and right splits are both 15" off the floor. I haven't figured that out since my right leg is more flexible... but that's the way it is. I want to reach 8" off the floor by the end of the year. My center splits is 21" off the floor. I am aiming for 15".

Happy New Year's!

It's that time of year again to make new resolutions for the year ahead of us. I can't remember if I've ever actually finished any resolution that I've ever made for New Year's. Well, last year I did lose the weight I wanted, but it's all back now so I can't count that, now can I?

I was looking at lds.org and found this little snippet of a talk (but it was just a bunch of snippets of different talks so I don't know which/whose talk it is from) that had tips for keeping your goals. I liked the first little section so I thought I'd post them here so I can refer to them later:

Make realistic resolutions. Don't try too much too quickly. If you don't currently read the scripture and you set a goal of reading 30 minutes every day, you are likely setting yourself up for failure. It may be more realistic to set a goal to just read something each day, even if it's just a few verses. After that becomes habit, try increasing your goal.

Set a series of smaller goals. Divide a big goal into smaller sections. Say you want to save money. Instead of leaving your goal so vauge, plan a reasonable amount for the first month and a larger number for the first quarter and so on. The smaller goals will help keep you encouraged as you make progress.

Make reminders. After you decide the things you want to work on, make several reminders for yourself. ou can post a message on your mirror but if you tend to ignore messages then you'll have to be more creative.

Be kind to yourself. If you've made a resolution that is making you miserable, be willing to change it. Sometimes you bite off more than you can chew. Instead of giving it up as a failure, modify the goal so you can continue to improve yourself.

My goals for this year are:
1. read the Book of Mormon
2. eat healthy
3. exercise at least 3 times a week (not counting dog walks)
4. socialize Tucker
5. keep my house cleaner

I hope everyone has a great 2010!