I learned several years ago that making “resolutions” was often a discouraging way to start a new year. So for the past few years, I’ve set goals and objectives for myself, often with surprisingly good results. Setting goals is an activity that builds on current strengths, so it was a great idea.
Point in case, in 2020 I set a goal to follow a ketogenic diet to improve my health. During the course of the year, I set a few different objectives and was pleased to find myself eating in a healthier way and enjoying the new recipes. A really cool side effect was losing 20 pounds. 2021 saw those 20 pounds stay lost, which was a real treat!
So this year, I began the year by setting some new goals. Three new goals, in fact. The first was to write a poem every day. I used to write and submit poetry to various places frequently and have had a number of poems published in newspapers and books. While I let this past-time slide a bit during the pandemic, I found a book entitled “Write a Poem a Day” that my husband had given me several years ago. So it was pretty easy to set that goal and as of day #10, I’ve met that goal. Keep up the great work!
A neat side benefit of this activity is getting to stretch my creative muscles. Because I do love writing and the better I am at it – the more entertaining my blog will be!
I set a second goal to increase my walking every day. I looked at my tracking and I had increased my daily average in 2021 (4500 steps per day) to 6000 a day in 2022. So I set the goal at 7500 steps per day in 2023. That seems reasonable and I check my app daily to see if I’m meeting that goal. So far, my average has been just below 6000 per day, so I’m thinking about how to improve that the rest of the month. My objective is to increase about 250 each week and once I reach 7500, maintain that number of greater each week for the rest of the year. That should make me reach my goal by next New Year’s Eve. The side benefit I expect is to not only maintain my 20-pound weight loss, but perhaps add a couple of pounds to that loss.
My third goal is to re-engage in a daily practice of either yoga or tai chi. I started doing these during the pandemic of 2020 (when there was literally nothing else to do for a number of weeks) and really enjoyed this activity. But somewhere over the last couple of years, I’ve stopped doing it. I’ve spent the first few days of the new year researching the best websites and classes locally so that I might engage in more structured participation in one of these – or maybe both. My objective is to decide on the best path forward and begin on February 1. The nice side benefit of either of these activities is less pain in my very arthritic joints and more ability to walk. Perhaps when doing yoga or walking, I’ll be stretching those creative writing muscles more, as well.
As I write this, however, an interesting pattern has emerged on my goals. I sit and write a poem every day (and my blog every ten days or so). I have been sitting and looking at step averages and considering how best to increase them. I have been sitting at the computer researching websites and classes for movement activities.
I guess I’m welcoming the new year with an activity I do best. Sitting. Maybe I should include that in my goals?!
Okay, I am literally shaking with laughter and no one to hear me! You’ve made my day — mission accomplished!
me three!!! Sitting is a good way to use your MIND – the least used part of many folks these days – keep a clear head and keep writing – you have folks who need a good laugh and do not know how to do it themselves!!! – Love your stuff, I am still looking at one goal for this year – that is to get healthier – away from some nagging health issues that are bothersome, but not killing me , YET!! I will try to win that battle for sure – keep on keeping on is my saying for now!!
You have me laughing now, John. It does seem that is the least used part of many folks nowadays — the mind. I have found it really doesn’t take a lot to get people (well, usually older people) laughing. Younger ones would give you a bewildered look! The other day as my husband was checking us in at the YMCA, I said to him, “You want to skip?” The lady behind the desk giggled and said, “Skip?” I said, “Yes, wouldn’t it be fun for us to hold hands and skip down the hallway?” She burst out in laughter. But I knew what she was picturing in her mind — two 80+ year-olds, holding hands and skipping! I think the next time I’m going to try this one. “Hunzy, can I ride on your shoulders to the locker room?” Of course he will say, “No!” And I will whimper, “Pleeze, pleeze…….!” as
he heads to the locker room carrying both bags.
You keep that one goal, John — getting healthier! I rode the stationary bike three miles today and burned 70 calories! My saintly hubby informed me that would not take care of the fish sandwich I wanted to pick up at Arbys on our way home. A person needs to treat themselves occasionally.
One day at a time… and keep on keepin’ on!