Improve Health
Primarily I wanted to lose weight. Lose my "softness". To do so, I knew the formula was simple: burn more calories than you take in. To burn calories I ran. I had never been a runner and in 2010 I started running some -- after I realized I could cover more distance faster and burn more calories. In 2011 I committed myself to running frequently and covered a total of 632 miles. I also ate healthier. I have been a vegetarian for about 20 years, but being a vegetarian doesn't mean you eat healthy. You can be a vegetarian and eat cupcakes 24 hours a day. What I did was reduce the calories I consumed. Eating more whole foods and less processed.
What was the result? On this day last year I was wearing size 14 jeans. Today I wear size 6. I feel better about myself. Have more energy.Read More
I've always enjoyed books but realized there are so many books -- especially classics -- I hadn't read. I was determined in 2011 to find the time to read. During my quest I discovered the wonderful world of audiobooks. This allowed me to "read" while doing other things like work, cleaning, errands, etc.
How much did I read? 26 books and 63 audiobooks. You can see the list here.Be Proactive
I've always been a procrastinator. It's not always bad. Sometimes if you procrastinate long enough on something it goes away. There are times that philosophy doesn't work out. In 2011 I grabbed the bull by the horns. I took care of things I had been putting off. Some for a long time.
The end result? I accomplished a lot. I found positive actions result in good things happening in return. Definitely reaping what I sowed.Organize & Simplify
We'd accumulated a lot living in this small house for 20 years. I decided to go through the stuff we have and sort out what to keep, sell, give away, recycle and trash. A major project. Including bringing together a lot of like items from around the house. I had no idea how many pens, pencils, etc. we had scattered about.
How'd it go? I made a lot of progress. Didn't get through everything yet but the house is lighter.Get Crafty
The term craft I use as a catchall for making things. Years ago I used to make a lot of things but somehow life got in the way. I wanted to get back to my crafting roots. I love that feeling of accomplishment and pride in the end result.
What did I make? Unfortunately, not much. All of the other stuff above took up a lot of my time. However, this will be on the front burner for 2012.
I am finishing 2011 with a huge feeling of accomplishment. What did you accomplish in 2011? While you are thinking about that, take a listen to Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt singing a New Years Eve song. It's adorkable. I want to be adorkable.
Stay tuned for my 2012 goals.
[ image credit: VintageFeedsacks ]
