New Years Resolution Thread

[Shemeska]

Just to have one thread for everyone who wants to post their resolutions. I'll start out with mine:

Continue to work out: at the start of 2006 I was 185lbs, but I've been working out 6 days a week, and I'm now down to 173 and getting pretty toned when I look in the mirror. I'm actually in shape, which is really damn cool. I'd like to go up to running 2 miles a day by my birthday (at 1.5 now), and continue hitting the weights most days of the week.

Continue to have bloodsugar under control: This is rather important as I'm a diabetic, and my A1C was 6.2 the last time I had it checked, which is really good. I'd like to keep it this way.

Upgrade job: I won't complain about my job, it pays rather well and I enjoy it, but it's currently contract work rather than working directly, full time for my company. I hasn't yet been a year since I got out of grad school, but within the next year I'd like to move up to being directly on my company's payroll as a researcher, or getting hired fulltime by another biotech company, because benefits (aka nicer health insurance) are something currently lacking.

Don't be single: I'd rather not be single any more. It was my choice for being this way at the moment, but I want to make it last as short a while as possible.

 

[Mr. Beef]

My New Years Resolutions:

1) Get my Story Hour up and running for at least six months, and have it updated at least twice a week. I think twice a week is a good start and I'll hopefully be able to keep that schedule.

2) Get the short stories I'm working on up on a web site somewhere. (They are not D&D related so I cannot put them up here.) If you are intrested in them, let me know and I'll e-mail them to you.

3) Get involved in a RPG group somewhere. I don't care if it is in Dallas or on-line, but I need to get to playing and maybe DMing as well.

4) Eat better. I've been eating pretty good the few weeks I've been house sitting and my doctors are telling me that I'm losing weight. Less hamburgers and more vegetables and fruit.

5) Get my type 2 diabetes under control. My last A1c was 9.8, but that was down from a 10.0 two months ago.

6) Go back to college. I've been slacking off the school because I don't have the cash to go, and I can't get student loans because I already have enough credits from Community college to get a Bachelors, and the community colleges I go to will not allow me to get grants.

That's it for the Beef.

Mr. Beef

 

[Nyaricus]

My list:

Stay in Shape: due to a long-term depression (written about mega-post fashion here) I gained something like 45 pounds, lost most of my muscle definition (which was a lot) and was wasting away. So I've currently been working out at home, plus walking to work every day (25 minute walk one way) and I want to keep this up. I've greatly improved since October, when I really found I got my strength back. I'm now at a decent 180 pounds, and there is just a bit more off my waist that I want to get off - probably 10 pounds.

Get a compatable girlfriend: I was unlucky in love this past year, with a 2 year relationship ending, a 5 month relationship ending (who was a long-term freind and former girlfreind) and then a girl who I really liked going out with me for a week and then dumping me after a week. So next year, it's an all-out campaign to get a good girl who will 'click' with me. It's kinda hard for me, too - on one hand, I'm a metalhead and really into that scene and on the other I'm a gamer, and so really into D&D, computer and video games. So this will be a big challenge too.

Get into University: Pretty self-explanitory. I plan to become a history professor once all is said and done, so my path will be a long one, and a tough one. I really need to conference with some school councilors and get into my head exactly what's coming for me - or what I'm heading towards.

That's about all for now. I just really need to straighten out my life right now; things are going really good compared to the last crazy couple years of my life, and I really need to keep up the momentum. I want to keep being a good person and just keep up the good work and see where this all leads me. I'm really crossing my fingers right now, and really just trying my damnedest.

Bets of luck to others with their resolutions.

cheers,
--N

 

[awayfarer]

I'm not making any. I figure if something is worth doing it's worth doing right away.

This is not to nay-say those of you who are making resolutions.

 

[Ferret]

Eat slower, and take smaller mouthfuls.

That's my 'official' resolution, I've started working out (kinda) but I started that last week.

That reminds me, any tips on getting stronger without going to the gym? Bedroom work outs, like press-ups?

 

[megamania]

OUCH! a 9.8 and 10 for Hemogloblin test results!

Under 7 or expect problems. I used to run high 6's to lower 7's. I was a 7.5 for the last check but I was heavily drugged for sinus and other infections at the time of the bloodwork.

As my thread to this effect states- I am looking to also get my sugars under control. It is ruining my life as is.


Once the sugars are good then the others resolutions will kick in on their own- happiness, weight loss and etc....



must.....avoid....the....pizza.....

 

[Nyaricus]

That reminds me, any tips on getting stronger without going to the gym? Bedroom work outs, like press-ups?

[sblock=Tangent Alert! Sorry!]
Here's what I did, without going to the gym once.

I'd do my workout before going to bed. I've heard this is "bad" for you because it can keep you up because now your body is "tricked" into wanting to get going, since you're all worked up. For me, I'm a night person, so this really doesn't bother me - infact, since I am quite vigorous in my workouts, I usually fall asleep like a baby afterwards since I am now really tired. So in any case, the exact timing here might not be for you. Personally, I think it might keep your metabolism a bit higher once you sleep, thus burning a few more calories outside of your day, which might be nice if it were true.

Wow, okay, enough for introductions.

First Activity

So, anyway, before I go to bed, I grab my 20 pound weight. I bought it at Walmart for about 16 bucks + taxes. I only have one; I've always meant to pick up a second, but even one will do.

Stand up and take the weight in two hands (as if you were holding a mace, say), and hold it behind your head with your thumb and pointerfinger fingertips. Think of it as if your were holding this mace by it's head rather than the shaft - but a bit lower and moreso with your fingertips. Your elbows will be pointing in the air to either side. Got that? Okay, now slowly raise the weight up over your head, keeping your back straight and the weight keeping a steady vertical path; your arms should be fairly straight up ove ryour head when you do this part.

One repition, or "rep" is that weight going from down your back, to up over your head, to down again to your back. I'd do 20 reps with that 20 pound weight.

This activity works your upper back and the back parts of your arms, giving you "pushing" power - stuff like moving around a stalled car would likely do the same thing.

Second Activity

Basically, the second activity is more straight-forward. Have your weight in one hand, holding it normally by your side (upper and lower arms should be straight). Bring the weight up to your chest level slowly turning the weight while you go so that the head which was forward at your side is pointing to the right, and the head which was pointing behind you is now pointing left. Be sure to keep your upper arm straight for this, otherwise you aren't working the arm at all, really.

This activity works out the front part of your upper arm, as well as the lower arm (it's all in the twist ).

Activity Three
Do crunches, plenty of them. I set mine at 50, and forced myself to do them. Physically, it burned my guts the first week of doing it, but it's worth it. You will find yourself really toning up after awhile.

Repeat Activity One and Activity Two once

Activity Four
Well, this really is not done in this order, but I work nights, so before I do any of this, I walk the 25 minutes home. I'm also on my feet all day, and sometimes even walk to work. So, given that, get a treadmill and walk for half an hour (or an hour, if you have a lot of time), then do the above activities.

This warms you up, and works your legs out.

----

This should take you about 45 minutes to an hour, give or take (more if you walk for longer). The most important thing is to take your time with every excerise, and choose a weight that's right for you. I can handle 20 pounds easily (and should likely upgrade soon) but 10 or 15 might be right for others.

Hope this helps!

cheers,
--N
[/sblock]

 

[trancejeremy]

Hmmmmmmm.

Have no one try to kill me

Have no dealings with police officers

Finish my review of Rappan Athuk: Reloaded

Find steadier work

Get a date

Get a new engine for my car

 

[John Crichton]

I'm going to watch at least one unwatched DVD from my collection a week. Should help me not buy new movies and the not watch/play it (in the case of video games) for 2+ years.

 

[Ferret]

Thanks for the advice, Nyaricus. I wasn't planing on using weights but I might borrow my dads.... I have been doing crunches and press ups till now.