My New Year’s Resolutions

Seeing as how I’m someone that has to be forced into good habits sometimes (the threat of losing money also helps), I figured the best way to ensure I keep my New Year’s Resolutions, especially those involving Dairy-Free State, would be to post them on the blog, so everyone reading them can keep me accountable.

Resolutions are always a hard thing to pin down, but I think I have a good list this year. In no particular order, my resolutions:

1. “Walk” to Austin

This was kind of (completely) inspired by Phil Dunphy on Modern Family walking to Canada on his elliptical. I thought, what a cool idea, I have a walk to train for and I should challenge myself to walk somewhere. I found out that if I walk from my house to a spot in Austin I particularly enjoy – the Hotel San Jose – I would have to walk about 3.25 miles per day. I’ve been tracking my progress on a calendar and I will update you periodically with my results. I’m actually really excited to see how far I go in a year. The miles will be counting workouts only, not just any old walking in a day.

2. Reach MS fundraising goal of $1,500

This is actually a goal that I need your help to accomplish. In September, I’ll be walking 50 miles in a weekend to support several different initiatives for MS: bringing awareness to Progressive MS, reversing the damage of nervous system repair, and solutions for living the best life possible with MS. I need to raise $1,500 in order to walk, and as of right now, I’ve only got a little over $100 in donations.

Here’s how you can make this goal a reality: Donate to my Challenge Walk MS page and be a part of something really great for someone who really needs it.

3. Defeat the DietBet Transformer

January 7 is the official start of the DietBet Transformer, the longest-running diet challenge I’ve ever done. Let’s just say the holidays weren’t great to me, and stress-eating has not done me any favors. I have committed to a challenge to lose 10% of my body weight in 6 months, the last couple months of which are all about maintenance. I feel like maintenance is always my biggest challenge, so I’m ready to take on this Transformer and see how it transforms the way I think about losing and maintaining weight. If you’re interested in signing up, it’s not too late.

4. Reach 200 posts by the end of 2014

I’m so proud that I reached 100 posts in my first year of blogging. I’m sure that’s something that not a lot of people can say. I’m also very proud of every blog I post. What I try to give you is quality, and not just quantity.

That being said, instead of upping my goal to more posts in 2014, I just want to be able to continue my record of quality posts and give you 100 more in the new year. Already, I feel like I’m off to a great start.

5. Create a Dairy-Free State ebook

OK, even I admit, this one is a little ambitious. I have some ideas for ebooks and guides, but time has not been on my side lately where I can actually sit down and bang something out. I’m hoping if I put this on here it will motivate me to act, and you lovely readers will get to download something from yours truly within the year. I’d also really like to get an enewsletter going. I have MailChimp and a P.O. Box, so I’ve got the baby steps down.

6. Apply to graduate school

I threw this one far down on the list for anyone who’s still reading, since it’s still a bit of a secret. But yes, I am working on applying to graduate school. I currently have a stack of 5 GRE books plus a pack of flashcards that I’m working on, and I’ve also been brainstorming my essay. I will be going into media studies with an emphasis on food marketing (go figure) if all goes well, and if I get in, my studies will probably become a major part of this blog. So, fingers crossed!

7. Read at least 1 book per month

I know, that’s a pretty wimpy goal. It shouldn’t be that hard to read 1 book each month, but once again, it’s that damn time thing that gets in the way. I’m working on wrapping up Cooked finally (lots of notes to go through) and have started reading a little book on the side called Service Included, but my goal is to make sure each month ends with the completion of at least one book.

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Phew. If you made it to the end of this blog, thank you for indulging me in reading my resolutions. Hopefully they inspire you to follow-through or create some of your own (it’s still not too late!) If you’re looking for an accountabili-buddy, look no further. Tell me your resolutions and let’s make 2014 the year that we will never forget.