Happy New Year!

First Goal

Ultimate Goal

Happy New Year!

What an amazing year it has been! Take a look:

On the left, Christmas 2005, on the right Christmas 2004.

This year I've lost ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTEEN POUNDS! That's 72% of my excess weight in less than a year! Every year, I resolve that THIS will be the year I lose weight. I can't believe that it really happened in 2005!

I have 46-61 pounds to go to reach my goal(s) in 2006. I KNOW I can do it this year! Can you imagine my first summer EVER feeling comfortable getting into a swimsuit? Wanting to hang out at the beach? Unbelievable!

2006 Resolutions:

1. Get to a "normal" BMI. (164 is 24.9 BMI for my height, 5'8")

I'm currently at 32. If I go down one BMI point (6/7 pounds) each month, I'll be at 25 by August (my 30th birthday). Then, from August to December, I can work on assessing my true goal weight (although I admit to being partial to 150).

How can I lose 6-7 pounds a month CONSISTENTLY for the next 8 months?

* Exercise!! I have slacked off on an exercise program through the busy holidays. I'm comfortable with that decision, but the holidays are over and I need to get back into a routine. I'm going to sign up for a new gym on January 20th (when I get paid again), and work with a personal trainer. I'd like to have a personal trainer work with me once a month, so I can get weighed and measured and have my workout tweaked. I also think having those short term accountability/goals will help me keep working! I've always wanted to be GI Jane or Elektra or Lara Croft, and I know that lifting weights will also help tighten me (and my skin) up, so I'm excited about that!

* Eat Right!! Luckily for me, this surgery took away my biggest weakness--sugar. I still can't eat things with a lot of sugar without feeling terrible! But, carbs (breads, pastas, etc.) I have no problem with. In order to get this weight off, I'm going to need to be stricter with myself on focusing on protein and staying away from carbs. I'm spending the first half of January in Turkey (for work), but when I get back, the carbs are going to go--I think I may instutitute a carbs one day a week rule, so I can still get a "fix" in, but not at the expense of my continued weight loss.

* Vitamins & Water In. I still haven't gotten my lab work done from NOVEMBER people! I am pretty diligent about vitamins--I just get a little sloppy with my afternoon calcium and my before bed multi-vitamin. I also go back and forth with my water consumption. I need to make both of these a rote habit so I stay vitaminated and hydrated--keeping me healthy!

2. Get my Finances Right. I suck at keeping a budget, always have. Just like last year was the year for me to make big, drastic changes to get my weight in order, this year is the year for me to make big, drastic changes to get my finances in order. I'm 8 months away from 30 and in a crushing amount of debt (mostly grad school loans, but STILL!). I don't save, I don't have a retirement plan, and I am not even really living paycheck to paycheck (I am always scraping by the week before my monthly check on $0 - $20 bucks). This has got to stop. I want to feel good about answering the phone and opening my mail and know that I am putting myself in a position to be a) debt free b) with savings c) and retirement and d) ready to buy a home and e) start a family. I know that I can do it, I just need professional help! This month, I promise to call an accountant/financial advisor and start getting my money in order.

I was going to post other goals/resolutions, but really, these two are pretty big goals, and for me to be successful at them, I really can't afford to divide my attention any further. I want to travel more (but making my finances work comes first) and I want to be dating (I'd say more, but I'm not dating at all now, so ANY dating will be an improvement), but I think that if I work on these two areas, those goals and others I have will come along in due time.

I'm really proud of what I've accomplished so far and am really looking forward to being a satisfied, happy, healthy 30 year old.

Welcome, 2006. I'm ready for ya! :)

Me and my youngest cousin Elizabeth at Christmas.

Me and my cousins (different side of the family). The thing that strikes me most about this photo is that I FIT IN. I don't look like the humongo blobby cousin that is taking up half the couch. I'm so "normal" looking, I don't stick out at all. That is a-freaking-mazing to me!!