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| BIRDSEED IN THE SNOW |
Happy New Year! :)
I've made a few New Year's resolutions and challenges for myself in books, health and fitness, photography and ... well... a resolution to work on my list of goals. You know that last one made a lot of sense when I wrote it down... now it sounds really silly. :o)
BOOKISH GOALS:
I had so much fun with the reading challenges I joined in 2010 even though I only met 7 out 12 of those challenges. So of course, I'm inspired to join several new ones this year!
My reading style really expanded in 2010 such that I've read more books from a wider variety of genres than ever before in my life and I loved it. I did not meet my goal of reading 100+ books in 2010--I read 83, yet I'm not even that disappointed because what I did read was so enjoyable. Yet I'm still going to try for 100 books in 2011. ;)
I'll be making individual posts on the following reading challenges and book clubs over the next few days so that each one has it's own place for me to keep track of the books I read, but here's a list of the reading challenges and book clubs I'm joining this year:
In Death Series Reading Challenge hosted by Me [ongoing]
Steampunk Challenge hosted by Rikki
What's In a Name 4 Challenge hosted by Beth Fish
Take a Chance Challenge 3 hosted by Jenners
A-Z Mystery Challenge {by the author} hosted by Michelle
100+ Books in 2011 hosted by ???? [still looking for one to join...]
Authors by the Alphabet Book Club hosted by Paula
Women in Fantasy Book Club hosted by Erikka
Sounds like fun reading, right? :)
HEALTH & FITNESS GOALS:
My 5K Personal Best:
One of my fitness goals for 2010 was to run a 5K in 31 minutes. I participated in a 5K last year on New Year's Day and ran it in 34:51. I signed up for the same 5K race today, but it was unfortunately cancelled due to all the snow and ice still on the roads around here from last week's blizzard. The race is rescheduled for January 30, 2011 so I'll have to wait till then to see if I met my goal. :)
Fitness Challenge 2011
I'm aiming to exercise for 100 "fitness miles" per month in 2011. One "fitness mile" is equivalent to one mile walked or run OR 15 minutes of other cardiovascular or strength training activity that elevates my heart rate to my target heart rate zone. In fact, I'm planning on hosting this as a challenge for others to join in on a monthly basis. Let me know in the comments if you think you might be interested in something like this. All you'll need to do is keep your own log either privately [for example, on a piece of paper, your computer, etc.] or you can keep a log on your blog, like I do. See my fitness blog see how she runs... if you want to see how I did it. More information on this to come... :)
Triathlon
September 11, 2011
Already signed up!!! Weeeeeeeee!
Still haven't started training for the swimming component, but I did buy a fitness swimsuit at least. Now to get myself in the darned pool...
Get to my target weight.
Some of you who follow my blog regularly already know I started using the Lose It! App on my iPhone last April. I've lost nearly 37 lbs. in the last nine months, but have a bit more to go to get to my goal weight. I just got my body fat measured at my gym this morning and was pleased with my results. I'm currently in the 70th percentile for my age group, meaning that out of 100 women, 30 have a lower percent body fat than me and 70 have a higher percent body fat than me. I'm going to repeat the body fat test in June after I've lost these last 23 lbs., hoping to end up in the 85-90th percentile.
If one of your goals for 2011 is to lose some weight and get in better shape, I recommend you download the free Lose It! app to your iPhone or iPod Touch today and get started. You can also now use the Lose It! app for free by setting up an account on their website at http://loseit.com. And there's a brand new Lose It! book out, too. If you start using Lose It! and want someone to compare notes with and help keep you motivated, request me as a friend and we can support each other. If you know my gmail email address, you can find me there with that. Otherwise email me at the email address on my blogspot profile and I'll let you know how to add me.
OTHER FUN GOALS:
Project 365 Take Three.
I'm making another attempt at a Project 365 --a photography project on Flickr. The idea is to take at least one photograph a day for a whole year. I failed at this twice already in 2010, so I'm trying it again. They say the third time's a charm, right? I can only hope! LOL
My first photo is the birdseed in the snow photo in this post. :)
My daughter is still going strong with her Project 365 at day 192!
My 101 Things to do in 1001 Days
I started this personal challenge in May 2010 and haven't accomplished too much yet, so I'm going to make a bigger effort to make a dent into this list in 2011.
I'd love to hear about any New Year's Resolutions or goals you've made for 2011. :)
Wishing you all a peaceful, happy and healthy New Year! xo
Happy New Year, Christine!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on reaching your goals, especially the personal ones. You look fantastic!
The Challenges you've joined all look fun and interesting. All 8 of them! Good luck to you. :)
You amaze me. I truly mean that. I love how goal oriented you are.
ReplyDeleteI love the thought of the fitness miles thing. Not sure I can do it but I NEED to do it. :)
I can't do the loseit app on my android but I am a member of myfooddiary.com which I love and can access from my phone. Now I just have to start using it again. lol
Good luck on all of your goals - I'm sure you'll make them all.
Happy New Year, honey!
I wish I were as goal orientated as you are! My only goals for 2011 are to try and get better with my photography and to lose a bit more weight. I can also recommend the LoseIt! app. Though I don't weigh myself, I can see a difference in my body and measurements since beginning the app back in September.
ReplyDeleteYou're not going to do the YA reading challenge again?
I think all of your goals are achievable! YOU CAN DO IT!
Blessings and Best Wishes that you meet all your goals!
Happy New Year! :)
ReplyDeleteHilcia: Thank you!! I have worked really hard in the last nine months to get where I am and I feel it in my heart and in my body that I will never slip backwards from here. I just know it, which only empowers me to push ahead and be even healthier and fitter than I am now. THEN I'll look back at where I am now and say, "I'll never be back there where I was in Jan. 2011 ever again.." LOL! I'm determined. :)
Oh, and those reading challenges should be a blast! I'm psyched for them. They're kind of different, you know?
Tracy: Thank you!!!!! I am very goal oriented. And if I write them down somewhere like here on my blog, I feel even more accountable to them. Maybe because I come here almost every day, and I'm constantly reminded? Oh well... as long as it helps. :)
Sounds like myfooddiary.com is the same premise as the lose it app. If you're consistent about using it, and honest with yourself about the food you it... then it's an effective tool. Good luck getting back on track.
Brandy: You're doing great with the Lose It app! I'm sure you'll meet your goal of losing a few more pounds over the next couple of months. You are very diligent about your diet and exercise!
I'm not doing the YA challenge again because I'm pretty consistent about reading 12-20 YA novels per year and I don't see that changing much in the coming year. Are you going to do it again?
Thank you for being so supportive of me in whatever I do!!! xo
Your goals and your drive to reach those goals are really inspiring! I wish you best of luck in achieving them. Goals and I don't get along so well. I'm too easily distracted!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on all the goals and challenges accomplished in 2010 and all the best for those in 2011!
ReplyDeleteI'm still thinking about challenges. As for resolutions...my brain can't cope with them ATM.
WOW..you seem like a very dedicated and atheletic person...good for you!!! A triathalon..that is amazing that someone can push their body that hard. Amazing. Will definitely be cheering you on. And 83 books!!! WTG!! 2010 was the first time ever that I kept track of how many books I read in a year and hoping to do better for 2011. Am debating if I should sign up for a 100+ one again....heck...I am cohosting the Challenge Addict Challenge, cohosting another and signed up for 13 others...lol
ReplyDeleteAwesome Challenges/goals for this year! I really need to work on my post for this...I'm just nervous since I tend to not stick with my goals...maybe I'll create my Thursday post to be that. I love your challenges that you set up for yourself and what others put out there...I can't wait to see all your posts on them!
ReplyDeleteHome Girl's Book Blog is hosting a 100+ book challenge - http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com/2010/12/100-challenge.html
ReplyDeleteI'm also trying to lose weight. I think your fitness challenge sounds awesome. I should definitely participate.
Goodreads is hosting a Reading Challenge... sign up. I put myself down for 250 o_O
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Christine!!
ReplyDeleteLOL, you know, I was reading your post and I'm thinking Christine might become my synonym for motivated person LOL. Awesome!! I should try to be more like you instead of giving up, sigh ^_^;
Phyl, Thank you! I don't do well with goals unless I write them down somewhere and am reminded of them daily, which is why I tend to post about most of them on my blog! LOL!
ReplyDeleteorannia, Thanks! I had a great discussion with this woman at the gym on Jan. 2 when she asked me about my New Year's Resolution and I replied with, "Which one? I have a lot!" We both laughed and she admitted she doesn't have any... then we went on to compare how I feel about my resolutions and how I plan on achieving them.. and about her lack of resolutions but ideas of what she wants to change this year and our convo launched into this really great discussion. In the end we both agreed that no matter what you call your goals, or when you make them, or when or how you make them happen... the bottom line is we are making choices every day that affect our well being. To improve on ourselves, we need to make a conscious effort to think through our choices and make the best ones for ourselves. I wish I recorded our conversation... it was so inspiring.
You will make resolutions if and when the time is right for you. It doesn't have to be Jan. 1. :D
CMash, Thanks for visiting! Clearly, I made this post before deciding to join yours and Gina's Reading Challenge Addict Challenge. ^_^ I will edit my post... hee hee
Thanks for the kind words. The triathlon is a sprint triathlon, so no need to be too impressed, but yeah.. I'm gonna have to work extra hard for that goal. :) [The triathlon is 1/2 mile swim, 12 mile bike, 3.1 mile run... I want to finish under 1:30... ]
You should definitely try for the 100+ book challenge again! Why not? You come up short... you do it again next year, right? It's all for fun, anyway. :)
Deanna, like I said to Phyl above, I do SO much better with goals if I write them down somewhere and track my progress. Then even if I don't meet my goals... I can look back on my efforts and still feel good about all that I did to work towards it... even if I didn't complete it. It's still empowering.
Sarah, I was in J.Kaye's 100+ last year and would do it again... but am looking for a new one. I am looking for one with a more social group of readers. ;)
I would love for you to join the fitness challenge! We already have 11 participants! It'll be fun!
Mariana, I joined GoodReads last night... I don't know what I'm thinking when I have had Shelfari for over three years now. I know what I'm thinking... I want to use the GoodReads app on my iPhone, that's what! LOL!
Oh, but I'm doing only the 100 challenge. YOU do the 250 one. :P
nath, Happy New Year!
Aww... LOL. Me? A synonym for 'motivated person'? What a nice compliment. Thank you! I am trying... some days are better than others.
... and if only I could translate that motivation in the housework department........
Nah, maybe next year. LOL! ;P
LOL, does cleaning non-stop counts as a fitness activity? :) Maybe that'd motivated you :)
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