For the first time ever, I actually sat down and put some thought into my new year's resolutions. In the past, I have been the one who hits the gym hard on Jan. 2, only to give up after a few weeks of exercise. I realized this year since I am not an overweight person, my resolutions do not need to focus on losing weight. I do, however, need to change my diet radically and tone up. With those, the weight will fix itself.

I have learned from past experiences that simply a resolution of "losing weight" or "saving money" will not work for me. I must have a somewhat-tangible goal in mind, but not just any goal. It has to be something that I want  to accomplish and something that Corey and I can work towards together. We have a big goal in mind, but we're starting small.


I've also learned that I need to be VERY detail-oriented in order for me to stick to any kind of regimen. With that said, here are a few of my new year's resolutions (yes, they are by month :P):

January
I originally planned to only cut these foods out of my diet for the given week. Instead, I'm going to see how long I can do each one--withOUT a cheat day. I'll keep you posted.

Week 1: Cut out all beverages other than water
     I have done this before, and each time it gets a little easier. Still hard, but doable.

Week 2: Cut out all sugars, hydrogenated oils and added preservatives
     Sugar has been linked to all kinds of cancers
     and diabetes. At the rate I gorge myself with
     sweets (mainly chocolate), I'll be a goner in
     no time. I have places to see, people to meet
     and things to do. As Sweet Brown would say,
     "Ain't nobody got time fo dat!"

Week 3: Cut out all meats other than seafood
     This really shouldn't be that hard for me since
     all I eat right now is chicken and an
     occasional steak...and those smoked ribs my dad makes...mmmmmmm. Okay, maybe it'll be a
     little harder than I expect. We'll see...

Week 4: Cut out all dairy foods
     No cheese...no mayonnaise...no ranch dressing (!!)...I'm not sure how this is going to work out.

Like I said, I'm going to see how long I can last without all of these foods in my diet. I've done a week-long fast from all of these foods before, so that shouldn't be a problem. I know I will be healthier once I rid my system of all the junk I currently feed it, but it's just....no chocolate....no ranch dressing.....no cheese.....no sweet tea......... :'(

It has also been waaaaaaay too long since I have been to the gym. I'm talking months and months. So in addition to changing my diet, I am also easing myself back into shape. This resolution is not an option, because in February...it gets "insane."

February
Feb. 1: The Insanity workout begins.

I was watching Dr. Oz one day last year and Shaun T. was there demonstrating a sample of his Insanity workout. I pushed the bowl of potato chips aside and got off the couch to try it out. About 45 seconds later, I was worn out. "I could never do 15 minutes of this," I thought. Well, maybe not after downing greasy chips and sweet tea, but what if I was in a little better shape? So our cardio and muscle toning workouts in January are really to prepare our lazy selves for Insanity. I'll keep you posted on this, too. :)

We're also not eating out during February, the exception being Valentine's Day.

I also plan to do a study of the book of Revelations. I've never really read through it in detail before, so I'm excited about it. There are 22 chapters and 28 days in the month, so it should work out perfectly.

Phew...that's gonna be a long month.

March
The insanity continues...

I have needed to work on my compassion for a long time now. I look at everything so critically, judging why I think people are in the situations they are instead of just loving them and reaching out to them like I am supposed to do. So in March I will try to do a compassionate thing for someone else each day.

April
Insanity ends!!!!! If we don't take any days off, then we should end Apr. 1. Then it's back to the gym because the first step to reaching our big goal happens in April. We will need strong legs, backs and shoulders because, weather permitting, we are planning a 19.5-mile, weekend hike in the Ouachita Mountains. If you've never been before, take a drive down the Talimena National Scenic Byway. It runs along the crest of the Ouachitas from Talihina, Okla. to Mena, Ark. and is beautiful!



Hundreds of miles of hiking trails are in these mountains. One, the Ouachita National Recreation Trail (OT), is 200+ miles and runs from Talihina to just west of Little Rock. Our hike in April will be a loop near the beginning of the trail and will consist of a small portion of the OT.

I may not be a runner or have any desire to ever compete in a triathlon, but I can hike. I guess it's a mental thing for me. I get bored too easily with running, but I love the challenge a good hike presents. Plus, it's something Corey loves, too. He loves being outdoors, in the mountains, in the cold...it doesn't matter to him. He's watched enough Discovery Channel survivor shows to know how to survive anywhere. We went on a short hike last weekend with a big group of our friends and it made me even more excited for what's to come!

We plan on doing another weekend hike in October or November in the same area, only different trails. Eventually, our goal is to section-hike the longer national trails, like the Appalachian or Pacific Crest Trails. We don't have a vacation planned for 2013 for the sole purpose of taking a few weeks in 2014 to go on a backpacking trip. I'm not sure exactly where we'll end up, yet. But, it's a goal I can't wait to accomplish, given it actually happens. :)


So, those are our resolutions only through April--and that's not even all of them. Lol! These kinds of things HAVE to be detailed or they will never work for me. Everyone's different, though, and a lot of people have a lot more self-discipline than I do. If that's you, I envy you. :)

What are some of your new year's resolutions or goals you have set for yourself this year?