Resolutions Revisited

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I decided I'm going to do a once a month update on how my resolutions are going. I think one of the keys to making changes is to keep the idea that you want to make changes front and center. Just remembering there are changes I want to make, helps me to make them. I hope. : )

In 2010, I said I wanted to lose 25 lbs:
This one's not going so well. I haven't been on a scale in weeks, but I'm keeping it as a goal. I've all the usual excuses as to why I didn't get a good start on it, but they're not really important. What is important is that I will keep start, trying. Update: Okay, it's not as bad as I thought, I'm still down 4 lbs. from when I started mid-December. Honestly though, none of that's from January, so though I haven't messed myself up any, I haven't made any progress either.

Begin an exercise program:
Some of the same things that tripped up the losing weight goal also tripped this one up. I don't know if it's that it's not a true priority or if life really is that hard to make this happen, but it didn't happen this month. I've begun to realize that making it to the gym just isn't going to happen regularly right now, so February's goal is to dust off the treadmill.

Start doing hobbies I enjoy again:
Yeah! Finally a goal I made great strides with. I've begun knitting again, and even completed a fun project. I'm thinking about taking a class soon, but I don't know if I'll be able to find one that works with my schedule.

I've started reading a lot again. That's been a lot of fun for me.

I've completed four weeks of the 365 project. I haven't shot the kind of shots I'd hoped for, but I'm still doing it and I'm proud of that.

I'd like to find the time to start sewing again soon.

Keep on top of keeping my house clean:
It's been up and down this month, I'm not doing as well as I would have hoped, but as I sit here writing this, the laundry's all caught up, the house is relatively straightened, the kitchen's clean. I'm not beating myself up about how things are. I still wish I could find a system that works for me, I still long for a spotless house, but in the meantime I'm holding my own.

Reduce our grocery budget:
I'm probably most proud of this one. I haven't stayed within the guideline I hoped to, but I have reduced what I was spending significantly, I have become much more thoughtful and cognizant about what I'm buying and why, and I'm very happy. This is one goal I see being able to maintain.

Less time on the computer:
Um, yeah. Fail. Except the few days the laptop was out of commission, then I did great! I'll keep working on this one.

Focus more on relationship with Mark:
Definitely a work in progress, but we've been out on two date this month, we had a lot of fun, and it's a good beginning.

Turning off the voice in my head:
I've done really well with this one. It's still there, but it's whispering. I find myself blaming myself less when things don't turn out well and just accepting that sometimes that's the way it is. I'm forgiving myself my shortcomings and accepting myself more. I still have a ways to go, but it's a good beginning.

All this introspection has led me to another goal I'm setting. I want to do more puzzles and games with my kids. We have a ton of great puzzles and games, the kids love doing things together, I need to make this happen a lot more.