I’m smiling more. A side effect of accepting who I am and living that life. I’ve never been happier and I am glad to be on my way to living a full, happy, and giving life.
One New Year’s goal already complete. Now, on to the rest.
I determined several weeks before the turn of the new year that 2012 would be my year. Nothing will get in my way. All the things I’ve wanted to do in my life will at least get a kickstart before this year closes.
1. Play more with my kids - It will be a habit for me to get on the floor with my kids and play. No matter my mood or situation. I need it and they crave it. No iPhone. No computer. No distractions. Just me, my wife, and the kids, enjoying our time together.
2. Becoming vegan - I’ve had a long desire to be vegan but have found it difficult to kick the cheese habit. I tried it for a month previously and was successful, but I went back. Now, I’m doing it again for the month of January and I’ve actually found it easier because, surprisingly, I’m not thinking about it. Maybe this is the year?
3. Giving up coffee - I really, really want to because I really don’t enjoy the taste anymore and have become a bit of a tea junkie anyway. I think now it is just part of my routine to have it in the morning.
4. Have a ‘1’ in front of my weight - This will happen this year. I’m going about looking at the weight loss differently though. Instead of focusing on my goal weight I focus instead on a monthly goal. If I lose 3.5 to 4 pounds per month (which I am very capable of doing) then I will be at my goal weight by the end of the year.
5. Eat whole foods and get rid of processed vegetarian foods - Yes, there are vegetarian junk foods. Lots and lots of them. Funny, that most of these foods are made by larger corporations like Kraft, but I digress. These are going bye-bye and instead we are concentrating on local, in-season produce. If I have a hankering for bacon there is a great recipe for homemade tempeh bacon that I made in the past and I make a homemade black bean burger that will make your head spin.
6. Get fit - And I mean fit. Weight lifting, cardio, the works. I won’t be able to do an Ironman in the future if I stick to my current regimen.
7. Meditation and Yoga - Everyday. It’s that simple. Every day. Including visiting a yoga studio once or twice a month.
There are more goals but these are the most important and a good start.
This is going to be a great year.
