On Friday, after I checked in with you all about my One Month goals, I mentioned that I’m going to switch gears a bit for 2013. Instead of having different goals every month — and more often, I had the same goals repeatedly — I’m going to have just a few goals for the whole year.
I’ve been pondering this idea for weeks, making lists, refining them, tossing them in the recycling bin, and starting over again. Like a lot of people, my first list was lengthy. Too long, in fact. I could almost feel its weight crushing me with all the ideas, resolutions, and plans.
Eventually, I realized that I had a few themes for the year, so those became my final list.
Jen’s Goals for 2013:
- Lose 25 pounds. This weight-loss journey has taken a while, but my doctor thinks that 20-25 pounds a year is achievable, healthy, and sustainable, so that’s what I’ve been shooting for each year and do again this year. How will I do it? The same way I have been: Eating a varied diet of healthy foods in reasonable portions, enjoying good quality dark chocolate and other treats on occasion, and doing my best to cut back on the late-night snacking. Oh, and of course I’ll continue getting 30 minutes (or more) of exercise 5-7 days/week.
- Have 12 adventures with my family. These don’t have be actual adventures, but at least once a month, I want to do something fun or different with my family. This might be going to a concert, hiking to the top of one of Virginia’s highest peaks, going to a go-kart track not too far from here, or heading off on vacation with my family. January’s adventure is checked off and now we’re planning February’s. We’re all already looking forward to it.
- Go on at least 12 dates with my husband. This is something we should be doing already, but don’t always get around to it because life gets in the way. We’ve been married for 21 years and together almost 25 and I think it’s important to have time for just us, with no other distractions. We went for a nice long walk this past weekend, but in my mind that doesn’t feel quite like a date, so I do want to plan a lunch or dinner out sometime soon.
So those are my goals for the year. I’m not going to go on and on about them, but I did want to let you know what they were since I mentioned them the other day. If I report on them, it will be more in the context of Hey, let me tell you about this awesome thing we just did than Here’s where I am with my goals for 2013 that no one cares about.
Okay, so for all of last week, I regaled you with tales from our travels, then I threw my goals at you for two days. I promise — I give my solemn blogging oath — that tomorrow will be more fun and more snark as usual.
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I like goals like this. The adventures and date nights are great because they are both achievable and rewarding. And what fun to plan!
I’m not sure I could do 20 pounds in a year, though!
These seem like great goals. I haven’t formulated any specific goals, but I have been tossing around an idea I heard of, where you choose an overall theme for the year, and try to infuse that theme into your life on a daily basis. Gratitude, for instance.
Because I’m not teaching evenings this semester, Rob and I will be able to have dinner together, just the two of us, each Monday evening while Emma’s at her Kempo class. We’ve been doing this for a few weeks now, and it has been a nice reconnection for us.
25 pounds …Hum, I might have to step up to that challenge too
I am looking forward to hearing about the next adventure.
Wonderful and achievable goals. Look forward to hearing about your adventures.
Adventures together… I like that!
I chose a word for 2013 and when I am cleared to be in the pool again, I plan to get back to swimming laps. In another week, I should also be allowed to start walking more than “running” errands. I have more than 25 pounds to lose but I would be thrilled to work that much off in 2013. I’m glad you will still be reporting on your progress (even if only in “fun” form) because I did appreciate the accountability and a fresh month to start anew each time.
Well drat – it looks like the intarwebs ate my comment!
I like your plan for 2013! The “family adventures” are a great idea. I decided this year to go with a few overarching themes, but I still have a list of a million small goals. But I did that on purpose. I know how my heart and my head change with the seasons. So I made a huge list of ideas that I’ve been wanting to do and if I get half of them crossed off I’ll be thrilled. I know going in I am not trying to achieve the whole list: just pick a few each month to focus on depending on what I feel like. (My list of hobbies is long and I am fickle.) First up: During a drunken holiday soiree, I told one of my besties that I’d run a race with her…um, actually I think I committed to 3. !?!The first race is called Freeze Your Fanny and takes place in February. Outside. In South Dakota. What the hell was I thinking?
I like your list–they’re all really quality of life goals and that’s the best kind.