2013

New Years Day.
A day full of overly ambitious resolutions and "fresh starts" which last about a week.
I'll admit, i've been there many times before. Setting huge goals  with high hopes and then they are dead and gone within the month.
Not this year.
I am SO determined to not let that happen this year.
So without further ado, here are my New Year's Resolutions:

• Lose 10 lbs by March 1st.
• This goal is part of a higher one to lose 35 lbs by the end of the year, but starting with just 10 is much more reasonable and attainable.
• I will post DAILY updates on my blog here about my progress including my starting weight in the morning, what I ate during the day, and what type of exercise I was able to do. The daily updates are NOT a resolution, so if they don't always happen, I won't feel guilty. It will just be a tool in helping aid my weight loss.

• Limit fast food intake to once a month
• As much as I would love to eliminate fast food altogether, it is just not a reality right now. I have got to start small if I want to accomplish bigger things.
• I describe fast food as establishments with a drive-thru. Sit-down restaurants are still permitted, but since we can't afford sit-down restaurants very often, this doesn't really worry me. 
• I haven't decided yet whether I want to count delivery pizza as fast food. ;)

• Attend the temple with Brad at least once a month
• This goal might not seem that difficult, but with two little kids and no money to pay for babysitters, it IS difficult. I will do my best to utilize the times when my parents are in town and to make friends with people in the neighborhood who will be willing to watch my children for free. 

• Take ONE 3-credit college course through BYU Independant Study and receive an A
• One college course probably seems like a tiny goal to many of you, but not when you are poor. With our new home/mortgage, finally having to pay for our own cell phones, higher utility bills, car payment, etc. . . there is no way we could afford for me to go back to school on Brad's income alone. A 3 credit course through BYU Independant Study costs $360 and that is just not doable for us at the moment. Because my education isn't really a priority at the moment, I will need to accomplish this on my own. I will need to find ways to earn and save my own money. I will be much more diligent at my survey sites and online communities. I will sell personal items online and possibly have another yard sale this summer. I will look for babysitting jobs in the area. I will find a way to make this happen!
• I also MUST get an A in the class. I always had great grades in high school, and then terrible grades in college. I need to fix that. 

• Post on my cooking blog at least once a week
• I have a new kitchen that is large and beautiful, I will be cooking at home MUCH more with my limit on fast food- I have NO excuse why I can't post at least one recipe or cooking tip/tutorial on my blog at least once a week. I really enjoy posting on there, but my motivation has been lacking. First up this week, Easy Mexican Rice. 

Good luck to me! Once a month I will try to remember and post an update on my goals and my progress for each of them.  I wish everyone else the best of luck in accomplishing their own resolutions this year! Happy 2013!