Now is the time for new beginnings. Of course, you can always rededicate yourself at any time, but there is no time like the present. If you are reading this, it means that you have been blessed to make it to 2002. How about celebrating with a new life and attitude? At this time next year will you have achieved your weight-related goals? Will you be a smaller size and more fit, maintaining weight or moving in the wrong direction? What have you learned in this past year that will help you in 2002?

I welcome the chance, once again, to tackle and this time overcome my weight challenges. After going through some financially-related challenges this year which I successfully resolved, I reminded myself that when I put my efforts towards a goal, I will succeed.

This time next year, I want to be able to tell you all that I no longer use food as a stress releaser. I want to tell you that I no longer have 'fat' clothes. I want to tell you that I no longer allow someone else's mood to affect mine. I want to tell you that my formerly small waist has returned. I want to tell you that I look good in a pair of jeans, even with the shirt tucked in. I want to tell you that I can graciously accept a compliment with a simple 'thank you' instead of mentally ennumerating all of the flaws that I have. I want to tell you that food is sustenance for my life, but not my life. I want to tell you all that I have earned my name 'n 2 a swan.'

What is it that you want to be able to tell me a year from now?

Eloquently put as always, Swan. I love your resolutions.

I have three very plebian resolutions, and only two are weight-related:

1. Keep exercising 4-5 times per week; would like to get to the point where I'll be able to jump while exercising. It's hard to get my heart rate up now with low-impact exercises. Part of this will also involve incorporating strength training exercises with my aerobic workouts.

2. Keep writing everything down -- the good, the bad, and the ugly.

As for the things I'd like to see happen -- I'd like to get to 174 by summer solstice. That would be 100 pounds down for me, and I'd also just be overweight instead of obese. I'd like to get completely out of plus sizes. (I'm on the cusp of this already -- in an 18W.) I'd like to go biking with my husband, maybe even on a bike trip. I'd like to have much stronger stomach and back muscles, so my back will be better protected and so I'll have better posture.

Thanks for the thoughtful discussion, Swan.

Onward and downward,

Lauren
274/200/174 by summer solstice

I will turn 60 in Feb 2003. I want to make this the year that I finally get under 200 lb. I realize it's a long shot because I'm currently around 280 lb. Still, if I can just get some of it off I will be a happy old gal.
In order to attain this transformation I am recommitting myself to accurate daily journalling (which kinda fell by the wayside over Christmas), drinking as much water as I can handle and increasing my exercise level. I have an aero glider sitting in our guest room right in front of the tv. I watch Y&R every afternoon in there. There is no good reason why I can't combine the two activities.
I also want to increase my strength so I'm recommitting to my strength training program. I want to improve my stomach muscles so that I don't get such low back aches when standing or walking for a while.
This seems like a lot but it is doable, I'm sure. At the end of 2002 I hope to be able to tell you I'm getting closer to 200 lb if I haven't already reached it and that I'm a lot fitter than I am right now.
Happy New Year and good luck to you all.

Hmm this is a good thread.
I aim to be down to 13 stone by the end of the year, which in American/Canadian is 182 pounds. That means losing about 56 pounds which for a year sounds like a good goal. I plan to use ww points to support my eating, and to walk every day and at least 5 days a week. the walk will be to town/work and back which will be about 12-15 mins each way. Also I plan to join the new gym which is being built at the end of my road, and which opens in March. I will do classes there (yoga and aqua aerobics hopefully). Finally, I have finally got my bike to the repair shop and it is getting new brakes, new gears, new inner tubes and a new back wheel (new bike option....??? ). So I will do some more biking when the weather warms up a bit.

I also resolve to go the the dentist at least twice this year for a teeth clean. I have not been for 8 years, until last week when (serves me right) I lost a filling (yes, on a toffee...... ). The dentist says he thinks he can refill the tooth once more and then its root canal treatment for me . But I am resolved to get all my health needs met this year and not just let things slide.

Next year for New Years my friend and I want to go to a formal party. That would require buying and wearing a formal gown. I want to shop in a "regular" store for my dress. I want it to be strapless and show my arms. That means I want nice arms. I want to be at my goal weight so I can wear a gorgreous slinky and sexy dress.

I want to be healthier. I want to have developed healthy eating and exercising habits. I want to make it through the holidays better than I did this year.

I want to be happy with my accomplishments that I have made during the year.

Melissa

We are almost 2 weeks into the New Year and I thought it might be a good time to check in with everyone. How is everything going? From what I've read, many people lose sight of their New Year's Resolutions around the second or third week. Let's not join that group (at least not again in my case ).

I can report that I have not let other people's emotions affect me. And I have not eaten as a result of stress. Several times I was tempted to eat something and then I had the thought, 'I only want to eat because I am annoyed or stressed or fill-in-the-blank.' I'm hoping that the key to breaking these negative patterns is recognizing them BEFORE I've eaten too much.

Wishing you all well.

Howdy, Howdy all!

Excellent idea, Lady Swan!

My resolutions are less specific weight related and more towards the overall health situation. (umm, like Swan already did)

1) Pay more attention to upper-body strength training. And get rid of those blasted batwings hanging off my arms!

2) Find volunteer outlets that challenge me to learn and care. The added benefit to me is more social contact.

3) Go for that stupid mammogram!

4) Take a day off work for my mental health.

5) Eat like a gourmet. Food on a plate. Put the fork down between bites. Ask myself just how yummy it is.

6) Hand in my lifetime membership with the Clean Plate Club.

Next!