New Year's Eve, 2011

It's almost the new year! And i've decided that 2012 is going to be my "transition year".
I have been thinking about New Year's Resolutions, pondering, planning, imagining... So I had better get it written down on here so that later I can reflect back...

I have a few goals for 2012.

One being a greater focus on creating art, including embarking on a personal project which I anticipate to be both fun, and incredibly challenging! I will be creating something every day for a year, and documenting it! My project begins January 1, 2012. I also want to start generating an income from my creations, as I hate the idea of having a "day job" but now that I've finished full time study for the time being (although I'm finalising my arts course part-time next year) I don't really have the luxury of simply being unemployed! Like most people, we have hefty debts to continue paying...

Another goal is to develop better budgeting skills - recording all incoming and outgoing financials, and finalising several older/smaller debts so that we can then focus on the more major debts & continue chipping-away...

And of course, what would a New Year's Resolution be without the mention of health & fitness!?
During 2012, my "transition year" I will gradually increase my activity / movement / fitness - thereby finding more energy & improving my health. Great! So, how will I go about doing this exactly?

This is my plan:

*Pay attention to what I put in my mouth, and really work on shrinking meal serving sizes
*Drink more water, and through summer I'd like to try adding lemon juice to morning drinks
*More fresh fruit & veg & liquids : Less processed foods & unnecessary carbs (i.e. reducing bread, potatoes, pasta as well the limiting the obvious junk foods)

*Moving more! Daily walks/strolls initially (incorporating specimen collection or photography as part of my arts project so it's more inspiring and fun!)
*Home workouts (For Xmas I received a kit with fit ball, weight ball, resistance bands, and instructions! Plus I have various dvd workouts I had almost forgotten about....)
*And next week I will investigate a couple of the local gyms... I am undecided about joining, but my partner feels that it would be better for my motivation to go to a gym... So I'm just going to check the nearest ones out & find out about any New Year's special offers or discounts.

You know I've attended a gym in recent years, but haven't actually done a class for years! It might be fun!? Especially starting with something like Body Balance or Aquarobics...?
Anyway, that's my plan for 2012.

The best way I can try to describe how I'm trying to angle my thinking now, is to believe that I am already a fit, energetic, confident person - and what that person would enjoy doing. Would she like to sit on the couch and eat a family sized pack of chips & endure an uncomfortably bloated belly afterward - or would she prefer to go for a walk, do some stretches, and visit a friend? Maybe a gym class or swim? How about sweating it out in the garden & then having a refreshing shower followed by some art work time? I just have to remind myself that I am WORTHY of being good to myself, and CAPABLE of achieving my goals.

Anyway, I must go now... So have a happy (and safe) New Year's Eve!
See ya next year!!!! ;)

It's December!

My, how time flies!
Still no real progress happening on the weight loss front... But having given myself some time and space, I can feel a shift in perception/attitude taking place. It's gentle and slow, almost easily startled! But a healthier view toward health, rather than just the attainment of thinness.

I sometimes peruse my Facebook friends' status updates and photos. They offer insight into the kind of lifestyles people lead. For example, I have a few online friends with photos of them hiking or swimming, or posting updates mentioning gym sessions, team sports, facials, massages and holidays. Other friends may mention things like a new movie out, an unreasonably high electricity bill, the world being unfair to them, or photos of them drinking, or experimenting with new hairstyles... LOL

It's all about perspective, isn't it? Attitude. Experiences - but particularly the way you interpret them.

I need to take responsibility for my life, my health, and maintain awareness of my perceptions and interpretations of experiences...

I have almost finished studies for 2011, and have just 2 weeks of work-placement left to complete. I should feel really good that I have made it this far, and will soon have a completed Cert 4 in my hands!!! :)

Our wedding is most likely not going to be until 2013 now, due to varied but largely financial reasons.

And I still don't know if the house we're renting is going to sell or not, or whether we'll have to move in the next 3 months - or not.

There are lots of things I don't have control over. But there are some things I can take control of.
I think I'd like to fill my Facebook profile with happy photos of me being active outdoors, and with statuses referring to massage and fun treats too!

As my fiancé regularly says:

"See all. Tolerate much. Fix one thing at a time"