Project 41++ aka Project 42

Tomorrow, I will turn 42. I will be a day where I am “out of my comfort zone” for most of the day, so I’m not sure how happy it will be. I hope that I will have a little time for some reflection, but I have a feeling being stuck in a loud, crazy gymnastics gym at a meet where there are lots of kids and mom filled with adrenaline isn’t going to give me much quiet time.

Somewhat depressingly, it looks like my goals for the coming year are almost identical to my goals for the last year. Why do I have hope that this year I can stick to my resolutions and move forward towards my goals at long last? Maybe because I am an optimist, but I feel there’s something more that will drive me harder this year.

This past year I pushed my self out of my shell a little and feel that I am stronger inside than I have been in a while. I have the conviction and determination this year. Again, my top priority goal is one that has been a high priority goal in the past but has somehow always managed to fall to the side when life got stressful.

I need to lose weight. And a lot. Not just because of how I look. But because of my health. My energy. My being almost too large to participate in activities that I would like to participate in. And so, this is my top priority this year.

I’ve tried various diets over the years including last year; the only one that I had some long-term success on was Weight Watchers. So I’m starting it back up today. I know that I won’t be eating the best of foods all the time, but as long as I’m losing the weight I need to lose, I’ll be drinking crystal light and eating far too many pre-packaged foods. I will be overwhelmed if I try to eat local, healthy and within WW points. I’m determined to make this stick and work. No “cheating” or giving myself a day off!

Other goals for this year include:

• Improving my photography skills. I’d like to set one month of my Happiness Project aside for this and find some classes that fit my schedule and needs.
• Fitting in more travel. Even if I have to do it on my own or stay much more local than in the past.
• Get in more walking; I really want to walk Hadrian’s Wall soon! Finances are holding me back from this summer, I fear. But maybe in Summer 2014? This includes getting some well-fitting shoes that don’t make my toes hurt after a mile.
• Dressing better. I’m hoping that as I lose weight, I will enjoy clothes more. Right now, I am often dressed comfy, yes, but not very nice. I’ve improved my wardrobe slightly since last year, but I still have a long way to go.
• Being more attentive to my health, other than just weight and walking more. Make sure that I floss, get the dentist and eye-doctor and get to a doctor for a annual checkup.
• To work on making our home more inviting to me and to others and then to invite people over more often.

I know that these are a lot of goals, but I am very optimistic that this is going to be my year.