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Non style goals check in

Anonymous

Since the month is almost over, anyone want to join me in a non style goal check in?

New habit for the month: writing down what I eat. I started writing calories too and staying under 1500. I used to write fat and carbs before, but keeping it simple now.
Monthly stop: alcohol "dry January." Done- aside from one Irish coffee. Will probably continue for February.
Continue: exercizing with DH 6x week. Good here, except the couple days we travel to see family. Proud of him for sticking with it - despite his frustrations with the stability ball today!
Continue: hiking most days- yes! I have become more aclimatized to the cold (helps that it's over freezing). Even a loop or two on my lunchbreak makes me feel better!
Continue: meditating daily, was 10 min now 5. I'm successful if I sit in the woods or on my porch. If I try at night (laying on the bed) I often fall asleep.
Continue: reducing paper towel use, aside from cat messes, use rags instead. Good! I may not need to buy paper towels for a couple months.

For February- continue the above, plus..
New habit: no more than 1 sugary thing per day. Was not thinking of that when I picked up the goiabada and bananada at the Brazillian market- oops...
Monthly stop: non essential shopping. Got it out of my system this month- I think...Notice it's for the shortest month of the year (plus we have big impending vet and tree bills).

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34 replies

Latest reply was from Cardiff girl

Anonymous

Shoot- Angie can you toss this into Off Topic? Wish we could recategorize posts.

rachylou

Veteran

My boss gave me Obama’s book for Xmas. I took it out of the gift bag... it is still in wrapping paper. I opened up the Khan Academy app, and found it changed and closed it again.

ROFL, epic fails here New goal is to get my sewing machine back out. Hehe.

chirico (Chiara)

(website)

Veteran

I did quite well. Just quite, could do better.
Finished a book, started a second one- but it's much easier to read when on vacation!
My skin care regimen is going well, I can definitely see the difference!
Still too much phone use tho...
And I really have to adjust my attitude at work. I get too nervous or angry, too often. New responsabilities are definitely taking a toll on me

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

Wow that’s a LOT! Go you! If you can keep with the spirit of these things your year will be great and you will feel good.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Thanks Suntiger for asking Angie to move it to Off Topic. That’s two posts about weight loss, exercising and so on in the main forum recently. I personally don’t come here for that. Pretty fraught subject around women and self-esteem!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Thanks for the nudge about the month nearly being over. I started working 2.5 weeks ago (and was sent into wfh with company equipment almost immediately), so that’s one goal met, but we still don’t have residency permits. Not only is that an unmet goal, it’s also important to make sure we are legal!
Progress on other goals:
I did start working out with the trainer/PT. He is great.
I’m disappointed in myself for my daily workouts. Even when my back hurts from sitting so long, I’m more likely to flop into bed than do the exercises that I know will help. Oddly, the time I was most consistent was the week I was at work; I sought out corners to do my booty burners in while others went on smoke breaks, and eventually learned there is a little “resting” room that will work well.
I still need to figure out time to play my recorder. With my son doing school from home, we are literally almost always here. I was so excited to get it, but have only taken it out once, when he went on a date.
I’ve made some progress on the project I hope will return me to professional work close to academia. Not as much as I should, but more than I had done, and I’m now in contact with a couple people about it, so that should help me keep that ball rolling.

I appreciate the post and being in community with people helping each other be/stay whole.

Anonymous

Soon, in February, Lent will start. It is usually a time when I do no shopping and refrain from bad eating habits.. I also try to do something helpful for others each day. This year several birthdays including my son’s , fall during Lent. So subdued celebrations. One birthday coming up is DSIL who died last summer of Covid and still has not had a funeral. Her husband is planning to move soon. Three dear friends have become widows This year and DBIL is a widower. Some funerals have been held but only a small number could attend. I feel blessed that we have escaped illness so far.
What I am saying is that nonstyle goals are on hold for now. I have a list of things I’d like to look for second hand when those stores open again. I get my second Covid vaccination in a couple of weeks. I hope it makes things easier for shopping And getting together because I miss it. The new mutations will make a huge difference.

Minaminu

Veteran

work in progress! some things are moving well, others are on hold...

- I wanted to improve the cleaning routine for our place. Lots of good suggestions from the forum and I am enjoying the new approach! I'll update once I feel I am in a better place I am already feeling less stressed!

- I started a gratitude journal, it is incredible how mood lifting this can be! So far, I haven't missed a day!

- I wanted to visit my family, unfortunately this is on hold due to the Covid. My flight has been cancelled for the fifth time, not sure when to book the next flight. I wonder it if would be easier to walk there.

- I was planning to get some fresh air on a daily basis. I am not going out every day (due to the Pandemic) but I open the windows for 15 minutes every day. This may be cheating but it's the best that I feel I can do under this circumstances.

- I am working on a fitness routine that I can keep up and enjoy, daily yoga is great but eventually I would like to incorporate swimming and walking when things will return to normal...

- get my driving license (pending the virus)

- reach a healthy BMI, ahem.... I have 12 months time! I completed a weight loss course, learnt lots from a nutritional point of view and I am applying the lessons. Time will tell!

Synne

Veteran

Well done! The first month of the year is almost over already. How time flies, yikes!

I have read through 70% of the books in my "might read someday"-pile. I have yet do donate them, they are currently occupying the trunk of my car, in wait of the thrift store to re-open. I did accidentaly order about 9 more books from a second-hand website... oops.

No ice-bathing yet. No running, and no socializing over board games.

Runcarla

Veteran

As posted in Synne’s start up early January, I committed to getting some fresh air every day. So far so good. Long walks have gotten longer, but are on alternate days. Off days I fetch the mail at the community box, or bring coffee pods to the composter. Better than nothing!

We have been in a severe pandemic lockdown since December 24, with a review pending February 10. No outings other than walks and grocery runs. I’m missing the 3/wk swim routine I got into last year.

Pics from yesterday’s walk. Not fashion forward, but warm. The geese on Lake Ontario. Tracks and tunnels created by a small mammal.

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Janet

(website)

Veteran

I’m not big on making big resolutions or setting big goals for the new year, but I have some loose goals for the year. I feel like I’ve made decent headway with them so far:

- my first is what I’m calling “100 Days in the Woods.” I’m committed to at least that many days of walking/hiking/running at least a half hour in the woods. Truth of the matter is, if I go out, I’m usually out for an hour or more. So far I’ve logged 12 days and January isn’t over yet, so I’m definitely on track to exceed that goal. I’m also exploring new trails in my area, which is great for keeping me engaged. I’ve been taking a lot of photos too, and a new body of work is emerging from this practice (a couple of examples are below).

- my other goal is to regain and build on the momentum in my art practice and career that was lost with the pandemic last winter/spring. I’ve already submitted for several opportunities (and have been accepted for one gallery group show). I want to keep working on getting my work out there in the world, while still developing new work. I’ve been taking advantage of the zoom era to attend events and sessions with people I admire, which has been great for learning and networking.

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Anonymous

I'm pleased with myself, for the most part I have kept very consistent with my diet, have pretty much abandoned alcohol now, and am getting a decent amount of exercise even though gyms are closed AGAIN here. Of course, I could always stand to get more exercise, but I'm not beating myself up about it , which was my usual M.O . Today, even though it's -18C, I'm about to wedge myself into my outdoor gear, and go out for a walk. I've ramped up my skin care regimen, which may seem vain to some, but I've enjoyed the self care and am happy with the way my skin is looking. I've added a new Waterpik system to my day (doing all that I can to improve the look of my teeth) - and have to laugh at how long this all takes every morning . Good thing I don't work early mornings anymore ! But the main thing for me is being able to keep my mood stable despite all of the issues surrounding covid, the vaccine distribution system here, and my up-and-down work life. I'm no longer as stressed out as I used to be, and for that I am eternally grateful.

Anonymous

comment removed

Anonymous

Thanks Angie!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

New goal—learn to throw a spiral and punt a football. My son asked me to go out and play catch with him a week ago and when I tried to punt, my foot connected with the ball for the first time in my life, yay! It didn’t go far, so there is still lots of room for improvement in this former soccer fullback’s football kicking abilities. Then he googled instructions on how to throw a spiral and we went out again today. We each threw some good ones and some dead ducks falling out of the sky. It is so fun to work on this together! We’re getting better at catching it too, especially me. We both agree we want to keep at it, and that we will go out more often. Of course, we both have different dreams of how to use this skill—he’s imagining walking on the football team in college, whereas I’m picturing how fun it will be to pull out this party trick at various picnics.

Anonymous

In response to a recent medical challenge I am flying pretty high right now in the self improvement department, my only plan for the future is to keep up the good work and maybe add a little actual running to my high speed trail walks.

For paper towel reduction you might investigate "Swedish paper towels", I don't know if that's truly a thing in Sweden but that's how they're marketed. I like the Three Bluebirds brand and find the grey background ones especially long lasting.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Phoebe, I missed that part of ST’s post. We don’t use paper towels in our household. We use rags. Also use handkerchiefs and cloth napkins. But I can’t get on board with a bidet sprayet as a full replacement for TP.

Anonymous

suntiger - where do you live that you are able to travel and visit family?

MsMary

Veteran

I said my only goal was "Don't get COVID," and that's going well so far, but OMG I came down with shingles a couple of weeks ago and it's straight up been the worst thing ever. If you're over 50 and had chicken pox as a kid, please run, don't walk, to get the shingles vaccine!

For our monthly goal Hubby and I are doing a Whole30 diet (even though I know that's so 2015), and it's going well. We've had a couple of planned cheat days so we're going through next Friday, Feb 4. We also had "read books" on our January to-do list and that's going well. We've been enjoying sitting with our books in front of the fireplace in the evenings.

JAileen

Veteran

I’m starting up on my ukulele again. My cartooning inspiration has run dry. Hopefully I’ll start up on my guitar again. I started an online crochet class this week. My goal is making snowflakes. So far, though, I’m making a lopsided dishcloth.

MsMaven

Veteran

Late start on goals this year--I usually do dry January but there has been so much crazy stuff going on. We got our first Covid vaccination Saturday and funny, I didn't feel like drinking any more alcohol after that--and haven't since. We had to drive 40 miles to get the vaccine, but it was a nice sunny day and wasn't bad at all. Feb 20 we get the second shot and then in 2 weeks we can breathe a bit easier. It was a real pain finding a place that had appointments available, took days of checking.

I've started slowly to get back walking--amazing how quickly I lost conditioning. My sprained ankle is much better but I had to start slowly. Monday I did a big hill walk and was fine, but now the rains have begun so I'll lose some again. We do need the rain, just not this much at once.

I read two books I already owned, but in spite of having a stack of new ones, mostly gifts, I can't get going on reading, so I'm cleaning my office.

I'm tired of shopping for clothes, and after last year, I don't need much. I did get a few essentials--new jeans and another pair of Ecco's on sale.

We received a late holiday present from one of DH's clients--it was sitting in his office and he stopped by one day--he works from home now. Wonderful homemade candy and cookies and goodies from a shop in Napa. We've both gained weight so we just ate our favorites and gave the rest away. So I still haven't gotten off sugar.

One of my cats, Sharkie, has been under the weather for some time. Well, he's on a diet (but doesn't know it) and has lost a half a pound and is turning into his old self. (The vet is afraid he'll get diabetes if he doesn't lose some of the weight he's gained since he hurt his leg.) After months of malaise he wants to play again and tonight I played with him for almost an hour. So if he can lose weight and get exercising again, I can do it.

I'm not doing much writing and want to get back to my project and finish a draft.

And to cheer you on a rainy day, here's another late Christmas present: Sharkie!

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Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Ms Maven, it’s so good to hear you are up and about again, and 3 cheers for kitty setting a good example! May I ask what your writing project is?

cjh

(website)

Veteran

I’m not sure I had any goals at the start of the year, except to keep up the stay home routines and maintain a steady mood in the face of gloomy weather, social turmoil, confusion, fear, and frequent sense of impending doom. So that has gone fairly well with the help of constant mindless sewing, more talks with my sisters, and simply time passing, I think.

I’d love to say I’ve been running consistently, but bad weather has prohibited that. Our meals have been a bit sketchy just because my brain is a little turned off and stressed. The house is clean and I’ve achieved a couple of decluttering projects, so that is good. We did get out for walks and a couple of hikes when it wasn’t icy, so yay!

Best news is we got our first vaccine doses yesterday with an appointment for the second. My MIL will get her second dose next week. I’m not sure how long it will take for anxieties to subside, but we’re on the right road. I hope everyone will soon be able to say the same. I admit to feeling a little guilt since I’m the oldest of my siblings and cousins, and the only one over 65 for now... some of my nieces and nephews have been vaccinated because of working in medicine.

Have a good day! The sun is shining here, and I’m going to pick up groceries in an hour. I’m going to make chicken thighs and smashed peas for dinner. And dream about inviting friends over in another six weeks or so!

Photo shows the quilt top I’ve made this month from a bag of red scraps and a piece of blue print. It grew and grew, so it’s big enough for our bed. My next project is the actual quilting, plus search for new curtain and pillow sham fabrics.

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MsMary

Veteran

cjh, that quilt top is beautiful!!

Anonymous

Lovely quilt !

Barbara Diane

Veteran

I have so much I should do, but I think getting through this whole thing sane, relatively healthy, covid free and shingles free is my goal. Bonus points if I can become less reactive, as I seem to get upset much more easily than in more normal times.

Note, be careful of timing of shingles vaccine as I think that there is a waiting time between receiving it and the Covid vaccine. But check, as I am not a doctor.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Oh! I forgot my other goal that has been occupying my time. I have been tackling the stuff in my basement storage that has been sitting far too long, particularly things I brought home from my parents’ house after my mom died 12 years ago, and random stuff that has just piled up over the years we’ve been living in this house.

So far three big contractor bags have been thrown out, plus two big boxes of paper recycling. I have about 15 boxes in progress being filled for donation, and another stack of things I am slowly selling on Poshmark and eBay. Counting the sale of an old camera, I’ve made about $1200 selling stuff already this year. We have Green Drop coming to collect donations next week. Anything I don’t sell by April 1 will get donated. I am looking forward to having this task done and off my shoulders!

Anonymous

sun tiger - no "tone" was intended with my travel question . Just genuinely curious

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Wow what a busy lot you all are.I’m with Rachylou,main goal this year is not get COVID and I am currently achieving my goal 100% on that but we have a way to go yet on that one here so must maintain my focus.
Other than that I have started to play the clarinet after years of eyeing up my daughter’s abandoned one.l am continuing to play my recorders(waves at fashionintern),trying to improve on the piano and sewing my lockdown summer wardrobe!l am going to attempt a pair of shorts next.
l am not doing any meaningful exercise and I am eating too much sugar,oh the comfort of carbs though!I

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