[Mimzzy]

Hello everyone!

I had this idea while lying awake late one night. I couldn't stop thinking about all the things I wished I could change. It occurred to me that although some of these things I had no control over and would never be able to change, however, many of them only I have the power to change. It hit me that if I am so unhappy with so many different aspects of myself than it was time to make a change.

The idea is pretty basic. I want to dedicate 1 year to putting more focus on how I feel, both on the inside and on the outside. This is not to say you can’t focus on other things to. Obviously we have to keep up with our responsibilities and basic living. I just want to make a little more time to try things I want to try and do things I want to do. I feel like in the craziness of this world, sometimes we lose sight of ourselves.

I am hoping my idea sparks interest in some of you and you want to join me! If so feel free! You can make your own guidelines, time line, or anything you want. Anyone can join! I will ask that you please try and shortly explain why you made the goal if it is not too personal.

I couldn't come up with any nifty names, so I am calling it what it is: 1 Year to a New You.

Guidelines for myself:
1. Set goals for yourself ahead of time. Try not to set too many or completely unrealistic ones. Be truthful with yourself. Aim to meet all these goals within the year.
2. Goals can be big/small, simple/complex.
3. Goals should be about you or something that directly effects how you feel about yourself.

Things I Want To Work On This Year
My Year: Aug 2013 - Aug 2014
(No specific order)

1. Get some of my moles removed.
Not only for esthetics but also some for health reasons. I have put this off because, honestly, I am a little scared to do it.

2. Lose weight.
This will be throughout the whole year. I want to lose 60lbs give or take a little in the year. I think this is a realistic goal as long as I stay committed to it.

3. Start trying sunless tanning.
Seems like a stupid thing to actually aspire to work on, I know, but I am so extremely pale that I look like walking death. Seriously, I glow in the sun and I hate how to pink undertones in my skin are so noticeable. Sometimes, my skin looks so pink I probably look like a giant, upright pig haha. Also, my stretch marks, scars, etc show up very noticeably on my skin. I am hoping that with a little color on my skin these things wont be so obvious.

4. Start getting up earlier.
Another one that may seem silly to everyone. I can sleep until noon and when I do it is a complete waste of my day. This is a bad habit of mine that I would like to stop.

5. Whiten my teeth.
I think everyone at some point has wished they had a brighter smile. I have had the kit for it for ages now, and I just have no bothered to use it for a reason unknown to even me.

6. Look into invisalign braces.
My teeth have been changing over the years and getting more and more crowded. I want to look into these when I go to the dentist next. I won't be able to actually get them this year due to a lack of funds but it would benefit me to get some information for the future.

7. Look into getting the tattoos I want.
I was thinking this would be a good idea to make "rewards" for a successfully completed weight loss goal.

8. Try an organic skin care routine.
Lately it seems that the more chemical I put on my face that are supposed to help, are either not doing anything or possibly making it worse. I can't help but wonder if maybe my skin would be better if I put something natural on it instead. I have had my eye on a certain skin care routine, and I have heard such great things about it. Of course, being organic it is a little pricey so I am hoping to save up and try it out within the year.

9. Schedule a dermatologist appointment.
I have these little bumps all over my cheeks with slight rosacea. I have had them since I can remember and I have waited to see if I would grow out of it and they would work themselves out but it seems they are here to stay. I strongly dislike these little bumps. Nothing I have tried over the counter has worked. I want to see if there is anything I can do to effectively reduce it. Anyone else have these? Any treatment you know of?

Running short on time I will add more goals later.

[Riestrella]

I like the idea of 1 year from now me looking back and seeing how much has changed. For me I hope to achieve the following:

1. Be at goal weight. I can't imagine losing the rest of my weight taking me more than a year if I dedicate myself to it completely. It's always hard to put a time limit to weight loss, but I really hope that within 1 year I will be around 130 lbs.
2. Planning to start my career for real. I'm currently an English teacher in Japan, but this isn't what I really want to do. I want a creative job, a job that I'm happy with and I feel like I'm bettering myself each day that I work. Right now I'm saving money for the next step, which will no doubt have me working for next to nothing. I plan to move to America, which will be tough as a British Citizen, but nevertheless I'm going to do it.
3. Be creative. A huge part of myself is being creative: drawing, writing, playing music. But I feel like all the boring life stuff has put that side of me on hold, so I want to unleash that into my every day again.
4. Acquire a new hobby. You know I really think I want to start dancing. I watched this video and I was so inspired by her. It just goes to show that if you really want something you can do it in a year. Dancing has always been something I've seen as impressive, fun and really sexy (while being a great workout!) so why not give it a go?
5. Get a new tattoo. Right now I'm sat at my desk and in front of me is a sketch of the design I want to get tattooed next. I need to set the money aside and just get it done!
6. Stop being lazy. I think this is my worst enemy. I'm a walking contradiction, on the one hand I'm passionate and determined but on the other hand I'm so lazy and lethargic so I never get anything done. I want to be someone who just gets going and gets it done. My friend recently told me the key is to not stop in the day until you've completed everything you've wanted to do. As soon as you sit your arse down it's game over, the laziness takes over. I feel that it's very true in my case, so no sitting down until I've achieved everything I want in a day!

I recently discovered the app "Lift". It's like a check in app where you add habits and check them off when you complete them. I find it's a great visual aid and you can set your iPod or iPhone to remind you of what you want to achieve in a day.