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

« a little plumbing | Main | Happy New Year! »

December 29, 2005

holiday letters permalink

buttocks
Ferns
I've been home sick for the last couple days, so I've had some time to think about things. My mail has been full of holiday letters—you know the sort, the optimistic retelling of the last year. This last one I got, from someone in my library school cohort, made me think that I really need to create one of my own.

And that's kinda hard. What have I accomplished this year?

I mean, I've made great strides in the last couple months, but that sort of wisdom-gaining isn't something that you can put in an xmas letter. Or it's not one that I feel comfortable writing.

I feel like this year, in some ways, has been a failure. I've quit walking, and I haven't lost any more weight. Looking at last year's New Years Resolutions, well, it's scary. Or is it?

Here they are:


# Weight-loss: Aim for a consistent, conservative weight-loss of a pound and a half a week (6# per month): 72# by 2006!

>>> Nope, didn't happen. I did get down to a size 20, and on good days, I'm still there. (It should be noted, however, that the week between xmas and new years is made up of not good days)

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

>>> I didn't get anywheres near that. But I did better my time in the half-marathon (by 25 minutes!) and marathon (by 8 minutes). My best chip time was 15:07 compared to 14:32 in 2004.

# 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.

>>> Mixed. I was pretty good about pilates through the spring. I probably walked to or from work less than 5 times last year. But I did lots of bicycling. Gym, eh, not so much.

# Professional Development

>>> Going to see the career dude has been a big wakeup call about what I'm passionate about, and what I'm good at. I've gained confidence, and excitement about learning

# 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.

>>> This has been back and forth, but I feel like I am beginning to make a dent, finally.

It's been an interesting year. I'm feeling so much better lately. I just need to get back into it.

Posted at December 29, 2005

Comments

Those letters can wind up being so phony - all about how great their family (or whatever is). That sort of thing turns me off. Including a letter should be sharing the ups AND downs, reflecting on the year as a whole. On paper my accomplishments look a little slim, but I am trying to remember the important things - like health - that we have. Happy new year!

Posted by: neca at December 30, 2005 6:49 AM

Hey there, just a plea for you to mention the Career guy by name. You've had such great results with him, I am hoping I can see him too.

Thanks,
pcc

ps. I love flylady! :-)

Posted by: Patricia at December 30, 2005 10:11 AM

Post a comment




Remember Me?

(you may use HTML tags for style)