You can tell what I'm going to write about, can't you? Yep. A New Year's Resolution. Note that it's singular. This year there's only one. A resolution I've told myself I'd do for the last five years but haven't been able to pull off completely. I've gotten close, then fallen by the wayside, off the wagon. Use your metaphor of choice. This year is different. I can tell. This year, I'm gonna do it.
What is it? Losing weight. Yeah----that oldie-but-goodie that keeps bedeviling us. But this time I WILL lose those 20 lbs. I swear I will.
Twenty pounds? I hear some of you pooh-poohing right now. But don't laugh. Those last twenty pounds are the hardest, the worst, the last to get rid of. They're the vanity pounds. They do not want to leave. And I don't know about some of you 55+ girls, but menopause threw a wrench into my life. I'd kept myself slender and in shape for a lifetime with cardio (running) and other exercise plus eating properly. No problem. I could even binge somewhat on weekends. I always ran it off. Not anymore. After menopause, my body changed. I started gaining weight and it didn't want to leave. My regular cardio workouts kept me from gaining more, but the odious vanity pounds didn't want to leave. And they've been there for five+ years.
Why haven't I gotten serious before now? Well, a good reason. I had to re-create my life and then start this crazy career of writing novels. As other writers will tell you, working an office job full-time and writing novels part-time doesn't leave much room for anything else. I kept my cardio workout going by getting up at 5:30am every weekday morning to go work out then return and get ready for office. Night time was for writing. During those years, nuns had more social life than I did. No lie.
Finally I was able to quit the office job, but the writing schedule and travel started to rule my life. Morning cardio was still there, thankfully, but no time for any new routines to be added. Whenever I tried, I had to travel, and when I returned, I'd gotten out of those good habits.
I hope I'm not putting you guys to sleep with all of this. I'm choosing to post on this personal subject on the first week of our great new re-launch of Cozy Chicks Blog for a reason. I have a feeling there are lots of you guys who've experienced the same frustration. So---feel free to share your diet and exercise stories, experiences, successes, lapses, whatever. Trust me, we won't be posting weights on the blog, so we're all safe.
AND---as Kate told you yesterday---we're celebrating the re-launch of Cozy Chicks Blog with daily contests. We'll each be choosing a random comment from our individual daily posts and announcing those people as winners next week. And we'll each be sending individual prizes to our winners. So---stay tuned and keep those comments coming folks. Happy New Year!
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My resolution is to find at least one thing each day that puts a smile on my face or joy in my heart. It can be a simple as seeing a cardinal in a tree, the first robin of spring, or big fat snowflakes falling. I will think about that just before I fall asleep. The one today was a phone call from my daughter-in-law.
Exercise? What's that? :) I used to head the exercise program at a nursing home I volunteered at. I can remember one time one of the staff members had this "brilliant" idea to use music during Exercise. Well, that didn't last long. I tried it and told her no way nohow was that going to work. It was too distracting. I really should start exercising again. I'm just lazy. And a little discouraged I guess. Just once, I'd love to see an exercise program on video for wheelchair bound people. I'm sure they're sitting on a shelf way in the back of a store somewhere, but I never see any advertised.
As for resolutions, mine is to actively start working on learning more about promo/publicity work. I ordered 3 books on the subject with a B&N gift card my brother gave me for Christmas. I got two and started reading them. Now my head feels like it is going to explode. :)
Maggie, I relate to your weight loss resolution. I had packed on quite a few founds over a number of years, mostly the result of a lot of different stress factors in my life. I finally decided in January of 2006 to get serious about losing weight. I joined Weight Watchers and lost 55 pounds that year. Better yet, I learned some new habits - more healthy ways of eating and getting activity into my life - that have helped me manage the stress and keep the weight off for just over 2 years now. So I'm proof positive that it can be done!
As far as a new year's resolution for 2009, I don't have anything specific, other than to spend less time worrying about DOING, and focus more time on just BEING. I want to focus on enjoying my life, being grateful for the good things, and being resolute/courageous about the challenges.
I'm having problems leaving comments with the new blog spot - so if this story has come through 3 times, I'll die! But - my story is - last year I was able to lose 10 pounds in the first six months of the year - then I broke my foot in August and the lovely 10 pounds has come back. My foot is still not quite 100%, but I am hopeful that I'll be able to step back on the treadmill soon and start working on getting rid of those 10 pounds again. :) I wish it were a different ten pounds I was trying to lose instead of the same ones (I could afford to lose 20!) - but I'll take baby steps and be hopeful.
I'm having problems leaving comments with the new blog spot - so if this story has come through 3 times, I'll die! But - my story is - last year I was able to lose 10 pounds in the first six months of the year - then I broke my foot in August and the lovely 10 pounds has come back. My foot is still not quite 100%, but I am hopeful that I'll be able to step back on the treadmill soon and start working on getting rid of those 10 pounds again. :) I wish it were a different ten pounds I was trying to lose instead of the same ones (I could afford to lose 20!) - but I'll take baby steps and be hopeful.
I am going to loose weight too. But going back to school, my family,and working full time leads for a very structured schedule. I am trying weight watchers.
My resolution is to take one Friday off from work a month. I pile up vacation days and never take them, and wonder why I burn out. A Friday off to look forward to, making a long weekend, should help =)
Hooray! The site came up on AOL, at last.
Nobody warned me about the Menopause Migration. I didn't change my eating habits, and my weight stayed the same, but I could watch from day to day as the fat cells decided to consolidate operations--all in one place. Not fair! Nothing fits right any more, and I refuse to consider elastic-waist pants.
What am I doing about it? Denial (sweatpants are very helpful with that). And, yes, I've hung on to my membership at the Y. I just don't go.
Hi Maggie,
I am right here with you regarding the weight loss goal and determination to do it this year. I've got about 30 pounds to lose. I am determined to get in shape this year because I have other goals that involve climbing mountains, and I know I need to be in shape in order to accomplish those goals. So, losing weight/ getting into shape is step one of my year plan. I'm also just tired of not being in shape, and so is my husband. We have some exercise equipment in our garage that we have started to use, and I am making a work out plan guide for us with weight lifting exercises, stretches, jump roping, that sort of stuff for us to do as well. And we've got to get out and start hiking more. Thanks Maggie for posting this personal topic for the new year. I know you are determined to accomplish your weight loss goals this year and I have no doubt that you will do it! Happy New Year!
I'd like to lose some weight, too. Last week I got a used treadmill, and I'm trying to cut back on ... everything. Yesterday on Oprah, she related how she was encouraged to "embrace her hunger." I hate being hungry, but I'm tired of being overweight, so I guess I'll have to embrace my hunger, too. I'm going to be drinking a lot more tea and flavored seltzers.
I have always resolved to have no resolutions but this year is different. I seem to be getting wider but no taller..so alas, I must break another resolution and eat better, start exercising and drink lots of water. I have not ran since I was in the military and after that I swore I would not run again unless it was for a bus or from a dog. :) I guess I will have to buy a bike.
My resolution? To be a nicer person. To go out of my way to be pleasant even when the circumstances are anything but.
Caryn
I don't even bother to have a resolution for losing weight anymore...it never works. Although I changed my mind yesterday after having the stomach flu for 2 days - my stomach is flatter and I know I lost at least 8 lbs...so if I can just keep that up.
My goal is to be a published author. So, my resolution is to write every day at least 30 minutes. That's got to add up, right?
Two things are key: not being afraid to go hungry, and finding the time to exercise. Finding time to exercise is the real battle for me. I just...don't have it. And yet it has to be a priority because if your health goes, none of the rest of it matters.
I am still working on my resolutions for this year. My main one is to help my husband lose at least 20 pounds. He needs to go on a very low-sodium diet for his heart, so this means I will have to start cooking from scratch. I am shocked at how much sodium there is in processed food.
I also have the Menopause problem. It's so much harder to keep the weight down. I would love to lose at least 15 pounds. Shoveling snow, working in the yard and chasing after my little grandchildren helps but not enough. I need to walk! The problem is I like to sit and read and I spend too much time on the computer! lol I'm going to try though!
Wow, I guess my instincts were right. You guys understand. You've either been there, are there, or getting ready to go there,
For the record---I've learned some things that work over the years: Exercise is key. When I first had a bunch of weight to lose after my 4th baby, I discovered running. Way back in the late '70s. Boy, did it work. I did it M-F and lost a whole bunch of weight that first year. Met my goal but discovered there was still more. I lost another 27 lbs that next year and got back to college size. I kept that with working out and eating right---until the Big M.
The other essential is eating properly. You really can't shove french fries and donuts down and wonder why you don't lose. I use a sensible balanced plan which emphasizes protein, veggies, fruits. Find what works for your body and use it. And most of my friends who used Weight Watchers did lose that weight and most of them kept it off. It works.
I don't make resolutions because I always break them within days...but this year I'm going to try to live a healthier lifestyle.
This has been my stock resolution for the past twenty years. Good luck to you with yours, and post your progress! It may encourage the rest of us.
Good luck with the resolution, Maggie! For me exercising is the hardest part. I just don't like it. But after watching as many episodes of Dr. G Medical Examiner as I have, I know I need to do more! Have to, have to, have to. Don't want to, but have to!
:)
Like so many of you, I am resolving to lose weight too. I am reading a book now about changing the way you think instead of dieting and maybe that will work. I joined a gym too and am hoping my frugality will not allow me to skip out on going for the money it's costing me each month.
I wish you all the best with your resolutions! :)
Not only did I pile it on with the menopause I also gave up smoking, now my husband says I'm twice the woman he married. So I'm another that needs to lose some weight. Still with the way things are going here in the UK it will soon be a toss up between buying food or books and I know where my money is going.
I am going to try using my sons wii as I know a few people who have lost weight while playing.
OK, I just stopped reading about halfway, because I will go choose some fabric to make a little bag - one of my new year resolutions is to start doing something - anything. Tired of being, want some doing!
This one I know I can keep. I am going to read 10 books by authors I have yet to read. I did this last year and I discovered alot of good authors that I have added to my list of authors to keep reading.
And of course, eat more chocolate!
Joye
I don't usually make official resolutions...I feel so guilty when I can't make it happen, that it's almost like setting myself up for failure. I've always been very fortunate in the weight department, but I'm definitely not as slender as I used to be, and while I probably don't need to diet like crazy, exercise is definitely needed to tone various body parts (can you say "dimples"?) Like Heather, I just don't like exercise (in fact, I think I'm allergic!) It's SO hard at the beginning, I get very easily discouraged. Since I'm a teacher, I often look at my "new year" beginning in August before the new school year begins. This year, I have tried to not work all night/every night on school work, but to manage my time better and have a little bit of a life (ok, mainly just time relaxing with the husband, nothing too crazy!) So far, I've been successful. We'll see if the exercise will be successful as well.
Hang in there, all!
I'll jump on the 20 pound list. I've been above my "low" weight for many years but after the year of BC, my weight just ballooned.
So here's to putting myself on my to do list. 30 minutes writing, 30 minutes working out.
I'm not doing resolutions, but I have goals for this year: to try new foods, lose weight (of course...all that baby weight still hanging on), start nursing school, do more things because I want to do them, feel comfortable doing things by myself (movies, historical sights, etc...)
Good luck to everyone whose resolutions have to do with weight loss--including me. I was encouraged by not gaining weight back over the holidays. I have more then 20 pounds to go, but I would be satisfied with that for this year. Two things I'm doing are walking to work at least one way (and I've done that even on slippery sidewalks) and taking the stairs to the other library department where I work part of the time.
Gail Hueting
ghueting@sbcblobal.net
I'm so impressed by everyone's resolution---yes, singular---to make some changes. Put your health first, then everything else can fall into place.
And Gail----walking to work one way each day is huge. So is a simple thing like taking the stairs. Losing weight is like writing a novel. You do a little bit every day and voila! It gets done. Good luck, everyone!
I think pounds must have their own personality, and if you want to make them laugh, tell them your plans to lose them. They will be weighting around the next corner, snickering and giggling, wiping tears from their fat little eyes. My friend told me she hadn't lost her baby weight; and went on to say her baby was 24. I think it's best to be creative with pounds that won't leave. Name hem. Make them your friend. Depend on them. In fact, become CO-dependent on them. That is such a great way to get rid of a man, it ought to work for pounds as well. Good luck, Maggie!
Weight is a constant battle in most women's life...You're a beautiful woman, why worry about 20lbs..Maybe a long walk daily is all you need..Always love reading your books, in fact, reading the latest one right now..Skye
Count me in as yet another who needs to lose 20 pounds - actually I could do that three times over and it would be just fine. However, one member of my local knitting guild says that her doctor told her that she could lose 10 pounds just by knitting, so based on the amount of knitting I do, it's a good thing that I keep on knitting -- otherwise I'd weigh about 450 pounds by now!
I'm actually down 22 pounds from my all-time high, but I seem to have plateaued over the past year. My goal for this year is to lose another 20, and if I get there, I'll work on the next 20.
I'm not that fond of exercise, per se, but I love biking when the weather is reasonable. Last summer I bought a bike trailer so that I could tote my grandson along on rides, and is that ever a workout! But it's fun to have him along, and he loves it! He's always begging me to take him for a bike ride. So maybe this year I'll get in a lot more biking and be a much reduced person by this time next year.
Hi Maggie! I usually don't make resolutions because I never keep them. But this year my goal is to remain positive no matter what life throws at me, to never take anything for granted, and to be grateful for all the good things I have in my life.
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