The Big Picture

Jan 1, 2007 Author: Larissa | Filed under: Change, Gym, Health, Money, Personal

I know that by publicly making a “resolution” or two, that I’m pretending to everyone that I’m really going to keep up my end (with myself I guess) of the bargain. Everyone can stand to improve in one way or another, whether it’s physically or personally/emotionally. I know there are a ton of things for me. I say them every year practically, and I don’t know why it’s so hard for me to just DO IT. Maybe this year will be it for me. The only thing I think I have successfully done in the past year or so is to eliminate soda from my diet. I still have one occasionally, but I don’t keep it around the house and drink it, or really drink it at work at all - even diet sodas.

I think the important thing is to not overwhelm yourself, and to take baby steps. Just like in What About Bob (a great movie by the way). So I’m going to take a big idea, tone it down, and hope that I get something positive out of it in the end. All of it is going to take willpower and commitment, and it’s really really hard to keep that up.

The overall goal in mind is: Take better care of myself.

1. Eat more fruits and vegetables. OK, so it’s more expensive to buy fresh fruits and vegetables than say, a box of crackers…but overall more nutritional value. And I LIKE fruit, I miss it. I need more of it in my life. I love berries I could live on them. I would much rather eat berries for dessert than chocolate cake.

2. Go out on more dates. So, most of my dates turn out to be blog fodder, and maybe I just need to accept that. But, I also need to expand my mind and broaden my horizons. I’m too picky, I know this. It’s probably largely why I’ve been single for so long. Too picky and too afraid of getting hurt, which is a bad combination. I tend to go for guys that look the same, act the same, and well, are the same. Although over the past year I have kind of gone “outside” of my “typical” mate, still nothing that really clicks. Maybe I need to stop worrying so much about looking for something perfect, and start looking for something that’s ME.

3. Go to the gym once a week. Then twice a week. Then three times a week. Well, this is the number one new year’s resolution, so that’s going to be a bitch to fight through the masses. But, ugh God. I’ve had a gym membership now for over a year, and obviously no good results have come from it. I’ll go once in a week, or three times in a week…then not go at all for another month. I actually don’t even mind going to the gym, it’s just the getting there part that is hard. Once I’m there, it’s fine, I do my thing and it doesn’t kill me. I just need to remember that. And also look to my friends and people I know that have lost 25 or 50 pounds in 6 months to a year. That could be me. I just have to keep telling myself that.

4. Try to save $5 a week. Maybe even $10. I need savings desperately. Living paycheck to paycheck and squeezing out the last $20 the last week is painful. Yeah I know I have bills to pay and an obscene amount of debt. And I can’t help it, I still need to have a life. I can go out and meet friends and not spend money sure, but it costs me in gas and (sometimes) parking and maybe cover charges. That doesn’t help my social life or my bank account. It’s hard to find a balance.

5. Cut down on going out to eat. I say this all the time, but it really will help contribute to number 1, 3 and 4. The amount of money I spend going out to eat is probably more than I expect it to be. I mean, it’s expensive to grocery shop and cook at home too. Eating healthy is expensive, which sucks. But, at least cutting down my one to two times a week Mexican food habit is bound to do something. I just hope I can quench the cravings. It’s also hard because to me, going out to eat is a social thing…it’s what I do. I have dinner dates with friends 2-3 times a week. I go out and grab lunch with people from work. It’s just what I do to wind down. So, maybe I need to find something else to do instead.

6. Swallow my medicine. I suck at taking medicine. I have horrible asthma, and am supposed to take Advair for it. I never do. Granted, my asthma is a lot better now than when I was younger, but I still have problems here and there, and when it gets bad, it sucks. I also am an awful pill taker. It practically makes me gag even to take those little birth control pills. I can’t take pills with water. I mean, what is that?!? Maybe I should start being a grown up and taking my medicine. I’m even going to start getting allergy shots again (already made the appointment) because hopefully that will also help my asthma. Whooo for being able to breathe!

7. Stop worrying and get back on the wagon. The hardest part about all of this stuff is worrying about it and thinking about it constantly, and knowing that if I fuck up, it’s OK and get over it and keep at it. It’s kind of like quitting smoking, or any other bad lifestyle habit…I guess you can say my bad lifestyle habit is not taking care of myself. So maybe now it’s time to step up and get with it. This is the only life and body and chance I’m ever going to get, so what am I sitting around waiting for?

Basically there will be lots of squeezing of my wallet and waistline, and maybe squeezing in a few dates in between. The Big Squeeze of 2007…deep breaths and baby steps…

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2007: Time for a Change « City Sparkle

No Response for "The Big Picture"

michelle January 2nd, 2007 at 8:38 am 1

You can do it!! And some of your resolutions are similar to my short term goals so we can totally help each other out
Hahah I hope your readers don’t think that I’ve lost 25+ pounds.. it’d be nice but yea I’m nowhere close
Leaf January 2nd, 2007 at 11:40 am 2

That is one respectable list. I never make lists, well at least not of resolutions. I make grocery lists and to do lists, but those are easy for me to just check off. These things are harder to just check off, you have to continuously do them.

Here are some things I do that might help you with your list.

1. Buy a little notebook and a pen and keep it in the car or with you. Then use that to make grocery lists, following a list makes it easier to get out of the store without buying junk food. And it helps you remember the good food you should be buying.

2. Fake it til you make it. Even if going to the gym is the last thing on your mind just go. A crappy workout is better than none at all. People also tend to eat better on days they workout.

3. Play the dollar game or the change game. I save money by never spending change or dollar bills. It sounds silly but it really does work. Some months I will put away $100.

4. That food is a social thing is a hard one to kick. It is the same way for a lot of people. I know it contributes to some of the things you want to change but maybe you just need to educate yourself so you are making better choices when you eat out, instead of trying not to eat out. Of course cooking more and going out less will save you money and probably allow you to eat healthier food.

5. You know I am the master of meds. But, I was literally scared into it. I have ended up in the hospital more times than I care to remember, including a lovely 3 day stay in the ICU. I can tell a huge difference when I forget to take the medicine, so I dont forget anymore. It is just part of my routine. Make taking that advair part of your routine and you will not regret it.

Good luck.
Twoste January 2nd, 2007 at 12:03 pm 3

It’s good to have resolutions that match your short term goals I think. It’s very healthy psychologically.
Good luck.
Stef January 2nd, 2007 at 8:16 pm 4

Your Big Squeeze plan makes a lot of sense. I have an almost identical plan every year that I call Health and Wealth… and it’s hard to stick to it but those are all really good goals.

I agree with #5, especially, because I also have a restaurant-based social life. When I’m being good, I try to eat a little snack or Lean Cuisine or something before I go out so that I can just get a small salad or an appetizer. That saves on calories and money.

But what I really need to train myself to do is to become one with the doggie bag. I *never* take home leftovers cuz I always feel like you have to clean your plate. Not true! So this year, I want to work on bringing more leftovers home with me!
NotCarrie January 3rd, 2007 at 11:27 pm 5

Wow, good list. I need to follow some (a lot) of those.–>
2007: Time for a Change « City Sparkle February 4th, 2007 at 12:02 pm 6

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