Let’s start off the year being frank. As much as the New Year
can seem like a natural time to turn over a new leaf, a lot of resolution
making is reactionary. Many of us have been traveling, spending time with
family and relaxing a bit more and at a certain point you don’t feel that good. What do you
when you’re feeling blah or worse? Something
drastic of course. And drastic doesn’t last. Then we’re back to blah with a dash of failure or frustration, not
a recipe for a healthy year ahead.
- First, think of the areas in your life that need a tweaking. Make a list of those key subjects. In the coming week, fill in specifics under each heading.
- Make sure most items on your list are completely realistic
- However one or two of your goals should make you a little nervous.
Carolyn
introduced me to a campaign called Commitment Day. In 30+ cities across the
country people will run a 5K to show their commitment to a healthy lifestyle.
Whatever it is, do something today that exemplifies your commitment. As their
website says, "this isn't a resolution this is a revolution of you".
Maybe
some of the resolutions on my list or Carolyn’s will spark some ideas….
Fear
facing
“You gain strength, courage,
and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the
face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.” Eleanor
Roosevelt
I have
been hush, hush about my “makes me nervous” goal but earlier this year my
book proposal was shopped around. After many “we loved it but will pass” the good news is that I have a publisher and the goal is
to have the finished book completed in March.
This time next year you should be able to purchase my (first) book. This
has been a long time coming. And not to worry, there's jitters ahead writing and putting it out there isn't comfortable but I'm excited.
Aid For Others (not in love with term “giving back”)
Early in 2012, Team Foodtrainers participated in Cycle for
Survival. This fall, I went to the White House with a fantastic group of
dietitians to support Let’s Move and organized a special night, with help from
talented friends, to raise money for the Food Bank of NYC for Sandy relief
efforts. In 2013, I plan to continue to support Let’s Move. What makes me most
proud is that my children are starting to understand the need to lend a hand. I
cannot lie, they weren’t jumping for joy to make packages for the firefighters
after Sandy but they did it and I’ll nudge them to keep doing more. I find
nothing gets me out of my head more than shifting the focus to others.
Family Resolutions
I was
emailing with a friend who works at Pirate’s Booty and she mentioned the
concept of family resolutions. I love this idea. One thing I’m a stickler for is table manners. Nora Ephron said in I
Feel Bad About My Neck that one job of parents is to teach children, and I’m paraphrasing, which fork is the salad fork. If I can raise kids who put their napkins on
their lap, without constant reminders, and don’t repulse others with their
utensil “skills” I’d feel a degree of success. And
after Sandy and the droughts and all the crazy weather of 2012, we have take
global warming more seriously. As a family, we can start with being better with
our reusable super market bags.
Fitness
For the
first time in years I don’t have the race bug; it’s not my focus right now. I want to get myself out there
skiing more, we’re in Vermont each weekend and
it’s easy for me to lag behind
and write, snowshoe or cook. This year I vow to occasionally leave the kitchen
messy and just go. I have a silly fitness goal too. Where I take spinning
classes there’s a “torque board” that rates your performance.
You have a choice whether to be included and I have, until now, chosen not to
participate. Oh and my achy body needs foam rolling. This will be the year of
the foam roller.
Blog
While I
love pushing the envelope with posts, I also love you pushing back. I now post
twice a week and feel this way you have time to read and comment. Keep the
comments coming in 2013; I look forward to many interesting food and weight-related
healthy debates. A bunch of you have emailed asking about the Cooking Homework
feature. I will bring that back. Carolyn mentioned that in 2012 she spent more
time in the kitchen, it 2013 she hopes to get more experimental. I could use a
little freestyle cooking too.
In a
recent NYT article, Seinfeld mentioned he's constantly tweaking his material; I feel
that way with habits and goals but it’s so easy to get bogged down
in a routine. I was reminded this year how important travel is to reshuffle the
deck and remove distractions. 2012 included a fishing and snorkeling trip to
Belize, skiing in Jackson Hole and camping and biking in Yellowstone and the
Tetons. Carolyn listed “make weekends more into
weekends” to relax and turn off the
phone. Whether it’s at home or away, we all need
to find a way to really unwind and unplug and I realize as I sit on my computer
staring at the snowy trees that’s hypocritical…that’s what the resolutions are
for.
What’s on your list? What
goal or resolution makes you a little uneasy? Which habit do you feel you can
be more consistent with/that makes you feel your best? Any fitness or family
resolutions? Can’t wait to hear.
13 is my lucky number and though I have no knowledge where
numerology is concerned. I’m excited for the year ahead.
