Hi everyone! Are you settled in to 2012 yet? I think I am except for this last part below.
I haven’t made resolutions in a long time. I usually break them within the first week or two so I stopped doing it. But this year is different. This year, in 6 months/179 days, I will have a birthday ending in a “0”…”Lordy, Lordy”. It feels like I have been in my 30s forever, especially these last few years. As fast as the days and months have gone by, the actual years up to 40 have been going by slow, if that makes any sense.
So, this year, I’m going to set some goals for myself. The Boy will be getting his license soon and be out and about enjoying his new freedom. So, I need something to keep myself busy.
HEALTH
-Lose 25 pounds – In 2011, I reached my heaviest weight ever. It isn’t pretty and I don’t feel good about it at all. Gaining twenty pounds in two years isn’t pretty and I’m going to do something about it. Besides, I want to fit into this damn, expensive corset again! It cost too much to have worn only once.
I hope to have lost half of this weight by my birthday. To do this I’ll be eating better, doing The Shred and drinking a lot more water. Husband will be on a trip for work overseas in a few weeks so that will help with the eating better part. He usually wants to eat all protein, a la Atkins and I prefer a less red meat…a lighter breakfast (yogurt w/granola and a piece of fruit), salad for lunch and a light dinner (fish, chicken, small steak).
-Eat out less. Cook dinner in more.
We, as a family, are very bad about picking something up to eat instead of taking the time to make dinner. I have some great cookware and I plan on taking some cooking classes and trying some new recipes this year.
STYLE
-One in, Two out
Honestly, since I work from home I really do not need all that I have in my closet. Like pencil skirts…when will I wear these? Silk blouses…Like I would check the mail in one. I started purging in 2011 but will be more aggressive about it in 2012. I want well made, classic pieces with a little “fun” thrown in. I won’t say I will stop shopping altogether or have a splurge every once in a while but for the most part I will consume less. Look for frequent updates on my Closet Blog.
SELF & FAMILY
-Spend that “saved” clothing money on me, in a different way.
In 2011, I have noticed my complexion has been awful. I have always had very good complexion but this year I have had continuous breakouts on my cheeks. I know this is from stress, the foods I eat and the make-up I’m using. I can’t figure out which one it is but I’ve tossed them all and am starting fresh. I will also get a facial more frequently. And drink more water.
-Go on a family vacation. This one is already in the planning stages. Husband has been researching, since before Christmas, a trip to Europe. He was originally thinking March, during Spring Break, but he has a conference he forgot about that he needs to attend. So, it will be in June or July. Right now, the itinerary is either Paris and Italy or Italy and Spain. Most of our time will be spent in Italy. I’ve already been planning my outfits and will be asking for advice and suggestions once I know when and where we will be going.
-Brush up/Learn Spanish – I know a little to get by in Mexico when I’m on a beach vacation but Spain/Italy will be a lot different. Since I know a little Spanish I’ll stick with that as opposed to trying to learn Italian. If I have time I will work on a few conversational basics in Italian.
So that about wraps up my goals for the year, prepping for the big Four-Oh!. Do you have any goals for 2012? Any milestones you’d like to accomplish?
I guess I should add brushing up on my technology and blogger skills too. This should have posted today and not Dec. 27.
Hi Audry Bella, So glad we crossed paths last year…you provided one of my favorite pictures 0f 2011. I am also trying to lose weight in the city of great Mexican food…what will we do…but I know we can both do it! hang in there! May 2012 bring you much joy!
Your trip this year is going to be so fun and the timing coincides with your weight-loss goals, that will be so motivating. I agree that the #1 diet saboteur is eating out/buying take-away food.
I will look forward to reading about your adventures in this year of turning 40. I hope you have a great year!
Happy 2012! It sounds like you are going to have a great year 🙂
Heyyy GET READY for your 40's cuz it will be the BEST YEARS of your life!!! Well for me–it definately has been–I feel more calm, relaxed, happy, confident than ever!!! I love your New Years skirt in the preceding post!!!! I also think Italian is THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LANGUAGE!!! I got Rosetta Stone to work on my Spanish and I am doing great with that!
You have set some excellent goals and there is no time like the present, especially when there's a motivating factor like a significant life event.
I work from home a lot now too and I often wonder about my business wardrobe but I know that my next job or the next-next job may mean more office time so I want to keep building my professional wardrobe for now.
I also find that working from home can mean longer days and less activity and that can lead to weight gain. I had a few business trips and some very long days in 2011 and the weight just piled on but I did find a few things that helped and I'm going to email you with the details in case you want to check it out. Nothing drastic of course, it took about 6 weeks to lose 10 lbs so hardly earth shattering but significant, especially since some of that was during the holiday season. I was motivated by an upcoming trip to the Caribbean so there you go.
I look forward to reading about your trip, it sounds so exciting. And as for the Blogger skills, sometimes it seems to be hit and miss and I'm sure it's not you and it's not me – it's Blogger!
What a great set of goals. Realistic and well thought out with a plan. Mine? To find your fountain of youth!
Best of luck on your goals! Remember a positive attitude is a key to success! 🙂 Just started following your blog. 🙂
Wish you the best!
Kim
I just started my own blog, please visit if you have the time! http://www.aprettythought.com
Great goals you set for yourself, audreybella!
Good luck in achieving every single one of them.
I don't do resolutions because when I would make them, I would never keep them. I think small steps during the year are less drastic and less likely to set me up for failure.
Aren't husbands the worst eating enablers EVER????
The shred is amazing but I found on my small staure it builds too much muscle so I rotate with yoga and pilates so I don't end up looking too "thick"!