2012 Goals Update

Since we’re about to begin the eighth month of the year, I thought it was time to do a quick check-in of my 2012 goals.  I’ve made good progress on some of them, and others have become a bit less of a priority.

Green = Completed/well underway

Yellow = on hold until after surgery

Red = No progress yet

1. First and foremost, I will lose the required pre-op surgery weight to qualify for VSG through Kaiser. Great progress so far.
2. Going along with #1, I want to lose at least 50 pounds in 2012, although I know if I get the surgery early enough in the year, this number can be more like 75-100 pounds, which blows my mind.  But I’ll keep this conservative, for these purposes.
3. I will make time for working out 5-6 days a week, even when I’m stressed out and exhausted.  Life is filled with frustrations sometimes, but I won’t let that excuse become an obstacle anymore. I will look at working out as “me time,” a time when I’m doing something so good for me and my health. Because I love moving my body once I start doing it, and I love the sense of accomplishment I get from it afterward even more.  This has been going great this summer.  The key is going to be once my schedule changes when school starts.  I can’t let stress or obligations make me throw this out the window, because I really do enjoy exercising.
4. I will meet Scale Warfare over the summer in Vegas.  She and I are still working out the details of when, but it WILL happen, and I cannot wait.  Neither one of us could afford it this year, but it’s still a future goal.
5. I will stop trying to control everything.  At my core, I’m a control freak.  I like things neat and organized, which is a good trait, especially at work.  I can take command of any classroom, meeting, presentation, etc.    But I also like people to do the things I think they should, which isn’t always so good.  I’m not that way with my friends, but with my family, I can be unrelenting, or so they’ve told me.  I think of myself as “helping,” but they see it as bossy or critical.  So I want to try to “live and let live” a little more when it comes to my family. I’ve been working on this, but I’ll have to check in with my family to get their feedback.
6. I will read more books in 2012.  I’m an avid read, but this year I only read 19 books in all of 2011, which is unacceptable.  I know the problem is that I am online too often, especially before bed when I used to read.  So beginning tonight, I am going to put the iPhone down and make sure I read as I go to sleep.  I also want to set aside at least 1 hour per weekend and devote it to reading.  I love TV, but there has to be more of a balance, especially because I have tons of amazing books just waiting for me on my Kindle. I’m doing great on this one so far; I’ve read 16/30 books.
7. I will learn to crochet.  As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, I used to know how to crochet, but it’s one of those things that you can get out of practice very quickly.  I’ve signed up for a class on January 22nd, and I’m really looking forward to it.  There are several projects I have in mind already, including a Chemo cap for Knots of Love and a baby blanket for the Linus Project.  I don’t want to abandon my crocheting goal, so once the weather cools down, I want to get back into that.  Crocheting is more of a cool weather activity, because of the heat of the yarn on my lap.  Plus, you don’t use a lot of blankets/caps/scarves in the summer months, right?
8. I will make a scrapbook of my weight loss once I have surgery.  Yesterday I thought the cost of scrapbooking might be a bit too prohibitive, but several of you encouraged me to give it a try, and BeautyJunkie824 even told me she had materials to share, so I think my first book will be one about my weight loss after surgery.  That way, I can work out all the kinks on something that I’m going to keep.  I want a gift to be as perfect as possible.  Plus, I know the book would become a source of inspiration for me as I go through the ups and downs after surgery.
9. I will begin C25K training once I hit 230 lbs.  This was one of my goals for this year, which I didn’t accomplish, so I’m going to carry it over to 2012.
10. I will run a 5K before the end of 2012.  See goal #9.
11. I will start a savings account in earnest.  With budget cuts and salary reductions, it’s been difficult to make ends meet, and I’ve had to cut back quite a bit this year, but I know that I can start saving, even if it’s a little bit each month.  Because those new clothes aren’t going to buy themselves!!  Plus, I have people to meet and places to go, and traveling costs money, so I’ll be that much more inspired to save up. I’ve been putting a *little* bit away each month, but nothing that will make a significant difference.  It’s more like a “rainy day” fund, and right now it’s a pretty short day. 
    
12. I will continue to be more social.  I did a fair job of getting out there this year, but in the past 5 years I’ve become more of a homebody, even though I love being out and being around people.  2012 is going to be the year that I am more socially active. I’ve gone out quite a bit this summer and seen lots of my friends.  Even though I avoid going out to eat, I’m finding that there are still a lot of things I can do to be social (movies, coffee, walking). 
    

I have to admit that I’ve made a lot more progress on these goals than I realized.  (Which is why writing update posts like this good to do from time to time).  I’m really happy with how far I’ve gotten on most of these.

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Bella’s 2012 Goals

It’s time for a list of what I will DO in 2012. In order of priority, but not necessarily by chronology:

1. First and foremost, I will lose the required pre-op surgery weight to qualify for VSG through Kaiser.
2. Going along with #1, I want to lose at least 50 pounds in 2012, although I know if I get the surgery early enough in the year, this number can be more like 75-100 pounds, which blows my mind.  But I’ll keep this conservative, for these purposes.
3. I will make time for working out 5-6 days a week, even when I’m stressed out and exhausted.  Life is filled with frustrations sometimes, but I won’t let that excuse become an obstacle anymore. I will look at working out as “me time,” a time when I’m doing something so good for me and my health. Because I love moving my body once I start doing it, and I love the sense of accomplishment I get from it afterward even more.
4. I will meet Scale Warfare over the summer in Vegas.  She and I are still working out the details of when, but it WILL happen, and I cannot wait.
5. I will stop trying to control everything.  At my core, I’m a control freak.  I like things neat and organized, which is a good trait, especially at work.  I can take command of any classroom, meeting, presentation, etc.    But I also like people to do the things I think they should, which isn’t always so good.  I’m not that way with my friends, but with my family, I can be unrelenting, or so they’ve told me.  I think of myself as “helping,” but they see it as bossy or critical.  So I want to try to “live and let live” a little more when it comes to my family.
6. I will read more books in 2012.  I’m an avid read, but this year I only read 19 books in all of 2011, which is unacceptable.  I know the problem is that I am online too often, especially before bed when I used to read.  So beginning tonight, I am going to put the iPhone down and make sure I read as I go to sleep.  I also want to set aside at least 1 hour per weekend and devote it to reading.  I love TV, but there has to be more of a balance, especially because I have tons of amazing books just waiting for me on my Kindle.
7. I will learn to crochet.  As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, I used to know how to crochet, but it’s one of those things that you can get out of practice very quickly.  I’ve signed up for a class on January 22nd, and I’m really looking forward to it.  There are several projects I have in mind already, including a Chemo cap for Knots of Love and a baby blanket for the Linus Project.  Not to mention the fact that Scale Warfare and I have determined that we’re going to crochet each others birthday gifts this year.  I’ve already asked her what color she wants her bikini in. 
8. I will make a scrapbook of my weight loss once I have surgery.  Yesterday I thought the cost of scrapbooking might be a bit too prohibitive, but several of you encouraged me to give it a try, and BeautyJunkie824 even told me she had materials to share, so I think my first book will be one about my weight loss after surgery.  That way, I can work out all the kinks on something that I’m going to keep.  I want a gift to be as perfect as possible.  Plus, I know the book would become a source of inspiration for me as I go through the ups and downs after surgery.
9. I will begin C25K training once I hit 230 lbs.  This was one of my goals for this year, which I didn’t accomplish, so I’m going to carry it over to 2012.
10. I will run a 5K before the end of 2012.  See goal #9.
11. I will start a savings account in earnest.  With budget cuts and salary reductions, it’s been difficult to make ends meet, and I’ve had to cut back quite a bit this year, but I know that I can start saving, even if it’s a little bit each month.  Because those new clothes aren’t going to buy themselves!!  Plus, I have people to meet and places to go, and traveling costs money, so I’ll be that much more inspired to save up.
12. I will continue to be more social.  I did a fair job of getting out there this year, but in the past 5 years I’ve become more of a homebody, even though I love being out and being around people.  2012 is going to be the year that I am more socially active.

There you have it, my 2012 Goals.  One for each month, one for each year of the millennium.  Now all that’s left is to come up with 2012′s mantra, which I’m formulating in my head as you read this.

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#WEverb11, Day 11: Try

For the month of December, I’ll be participating in #WEverb11. Each day gives a new prompt, each of which is a chance to reflect and look forward.

December 11: Try

What 12 new things do you want to do/accomplish in 2012? Contributed by Kimba.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I’m not a Star Wars fan, but…

…so even though this prompt was titled, “try,” I will say this is a list of what I will DO in 2012. In order of priority, but not necessarily by chronology:

1. First and foremost, I will lose the required pre-op surgery weight to qualify for VSG through Kaiser.
2. Going along with #1, I want to lose at least 50 pounds in 2012, although I know if I get the surgery early enough in the year, this number can be more like 75-100 pounds, which blows my mind.  But I’ll keep this conservative, for these purposes.
3. I will meet Scale Warfare over the summer.  She and I are still working out the details of where (although Vegas is looking good) and when, but it WILL happen, and I cannot wait.
4. I will stop trying to control everything.  At my core, I’m a control freak.  I like things neat and organized, which is a good trait, especially at work.  I can take command of any classroom, meeting, presentation, etc.    But I also like people to do the things I think they should, which isn’t always so good.  I’m not that way with my friends, but with my family, I can be unrelenting, or so they’ve told me.  I think of myself as “helping,” but they see it as bossy or critical.  So I want to try to “live and let live” a little more when it comes to my family.
5. I will read more books in 2012.  I’m an avid read, but this year I only read 17 books in all of 2011, which is unacceptable.  I know the problem is that I am online too often, especially before bed when I used to read.  So beginning tonight, I am going to put the iPhone down and make sure I read as I go to sleep.  I also want to set aside at least 1 hour per weekend and devote it to reading.  I love TV, but there has to be more of a balance, especially because I have tons of amazing books just waiting for me on my Kindle.
6. I will learn to crochet.  As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, I used to know how to crochet, but it’s one of those things that you can get out of practice very quickly.  I’ve signed up for a class on January 22nd, and I’m really looking forward to it.  There are several projects I have in mind already, including a Chemo cap for Knots of Love and a baby blanket for the Linus Project.  Not to mention the fact that Scale Warfare and I have determined that we’re going to crochet each others birthday gifts this year.  I’ve already asked her what color she wants her bikini in. 
7. I will make a scrapbook of my weight loss once I have surgery.  Yesterday I thought the cost of scrapbooking might be a bit too prohibitive, but several of you encouraged me to give it a try, and BeautyJunkie824 even told me she had materials to share, so I think my first book will be one about my weight loss after surgery.  That way, I can work out all the kinks on something that I’m going to keep.  I want a gift to be as perfect as possible.  Plus, I know the book would become a source of inspiration for me as I go through the ups and downs after surgery.
8. I will go to a spin class.  I hemmed and hawed for quite some time last year about how I’d like to try a spin class.  But I was scared of the pain.  So scared that I never went.  Which is so unlike me.  So 2012 will be the year I spin.  I have the padded leggings, as well as a padded seat cover, so the only thing stopping me is fear, and I won’t let that become an obstacle anymore.
9. I will begin C25K training once I hit 230 lbs.  This was one of my goals for this year, which I didn’t accomplish, so I’m going to carry it over to 2012.
10. I will run a 5K before the end of 2012.  See goal #9.
11. I will start a savings account in earnest.  With budget cuts and salary reductions, it’s been difficult to make ends meet, and I’ve had to cut back quite a bit this year, but I know that I can start saving, even if it’s a little bit each month.  Because those new clothes aren’t going to buy themselves!!  Plus, I have people to meet and places to go, and traveling costs money, so I’ll be that much more inspired to save up. .
12. I will continue to be more social.  I did a fair job of getting out there this year, but in the past 5 years I’ve become more of a homebody, even though I love being out and being around people.  2012 is going to be the year that I am more socially active.

I think I just wrote my 2012 Resolutions.  One for each month, one for each year of the millennium.  Now all that’s left is to come up with 2012′s mantra.

What will YOU accomplish in 2012?

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If you’d like to join in on the daily writing prompts, go to WEverb11, sign up for the email notifications, and join us! Or follow along on Twitter using the #WEverb11 hashtag!

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