about getting from point A to point B in the most interesting ways possible

If you're a large woman in America, your whole life is an opportunity to feel self-conscious, embarrassed, resentful and way too big. You can hide in the corner or on the couch, you can go to therapy, or you can put on your lycra bike shorts and get out there and move.
—Jayne Williams, Slow Fat Triathlete

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January 2, 2005

new years resolutions permalink

I've been thinking about goals and new years resolutions lately. I have been setting goals, which I think is useful, but I haven't come up with new years resolutions in, well, years. But everyone is talking about them...

So. I need to make resolutions about weight loss, walking, other exercise, professional development, and home.

Chris mentioned Jaime's Really Useful Fitness Blog today, and in particular, the entry on weight loss resolutions worth making, which talks about larger goals broken down into achievable pieces. S/he also has some suggestions on how you could lose some weight (no soft drinks, no fried foods, regular exercise, lots and lots of water).


  1. Weight-loss: Aim for a consistent, conservative weight-loss of a pound and a half a week (6# per month): 72# by 2006! Or, if I can manage 7# a month, 84# by 2006. That would put me at 170#, or 158#.

    I'd like to be able to buy women's fitness clothing in "normal" sizes (s-XL). I'd like to shop at non-plus sized stores.

    I initially thought: one meal a week I get to eat whatever I want. Soft drinks, fast food, fried food, pizza, beer, whatever. The rest of the week: eat high-fiber, high-quality, whole grain, non-processed foods. Drink only wine, and not to excess.

    This shouldn't be too bad. I drink soft drinks really infrequently these days. I almost never eat fast food (though I've had some a couple times in the last week). Fried food, french fries in particular, is something I love, and that will be hard to cut back on. But I don't eat fried food daily anymore. Pizza is our instant meal food; we just need to stock the pantry with good stuff. Beer, I love, but I can cut back.

    I thought this until I went out for happy hour with some pals. And I was overcome with the desire to really go nuts—eat and drink everything in sight—because I was going to be restricted.

    Okay, I am not going to restrict. It's a good idea to try to eat and drink better, but I'm going to leave it at that.

    Obviously, weight-loss will be aided by exercise.

  2. Walking: I'd like to drop 2 minutes a mile. I'd like to do a PR with a 12 minute mile.

    By May, I should be down to a 13.5 minute mile. By October, a 12.5 minute mile.

    Is this doable? Who knows? My best PR these days is 14:30, so that's really more like a 2 minutes 30 seconds drop. But, assuming I get faster via long slow distance, improving my hamstring and glutes strength, interval training, and most importantly, losing weight, it might be doable. If it isn't, it'll sure be fun trying. I'm planning on a walking workout 4 days a week, with a long walk once a week (usually on a weekend)

  3. Other exercise: I'd like to work on balance, shape and strength. I need to work on strengthening the balance of my right side. I'd like to walk or bike to work three days a week. I'd like to weight-lift twice a week. I'd like to do two group classes a week. I'd like to do a decent bike ride once a month. I'm planning on some sort of workout 6 days a week.

    This should be doable. I do walk or bike to work a couple days a week. I haven't been weight-lifting and I miss it. I'm signed up to do two pilates classes a week through April. Slug Velo is monthly.

  4. Professional Development: I feel, well, not terribly excited about this. I'm rather underwhelmed by both library science (the degree I just got, and that I've just started paying for) and web design (which I make my living at). But that said: browse the LIS trade magazines when they come out. Work through an O'Reilly (or other quality) book every two months.

  5. Home: I'm tired of living in a place that I feel embarrassed to have drop-in guests at. I will use a limited version of flylady to try to control clutter and filth in my home. Pretty straightforward: pick up after myself. Don't let clutter happen, and when it does, attack quickly.

    6. Posted at January 2, 2005

    Comments

    I completely understand about the urge to Eat Everthing when you plan to restrict food. I am the poster child for that behavior! I am really enjoying your site--your quotes are excellent!

    Posted by: Megan at January 3, 2005 12:04 PM

    VJ, in looking back on your blog - well, you have done some kick-a$$ stuff! I have NO doubt that you will accomplish the things that are important to you.

    Posted by: Lara at January 3, 2005 3:01 PM

    You've been thoughtful with your resolutions...and that makes them doable. And if not, you have the right attitude about trying. That's always my goal--
    By the way, I'm sure you've seen all the library blogs (ie The Shifted Librarian?)

    Posted by: susan at January 3, 2005 3:48 PM

    Great resolutions, very comprehensive. Regarding your speed, I think you can definitely do it. Between my first and my third half marathons (about three months) I dropped 1:10 off my pace. Two and a half months later I had dropped another 35 seconds. You've got a great training plan and great cross training, so I definitely think it is realistic.

    Good luck for a GREAT YEAR! You've accomplished so much!

    Posted by: Marshall at January 5, 2005 11:15 AM