New Year’s Eve is also a time many come up with resolutions on things they hope to improve about themselves in the coming year.
Every year, for what seems like forever, I have vowed to lose weight and exercise more in the coming new year. And every year, that plan starts out great, but then fails miserably. Why is that? It’s simple, I despise exercising and I love to eat. Therein lies the problem.
In years past, I tried the gym thing, but whenever I went, I found myself looking at the clock wondering if I had worked out long enough and if it was time to go home. The treadmill that we purchased sits dormant in the basement much of the time. I’ll get in a mood every now and then and tell myself that I am starting a new chapter in my quest to lose weight. So I’ll hop on the treadmill and my wife will ultimately ask, “What are you doing?”
After a half-hour to 45 minutes, I’ll call it quits with every intention of doing it more on a daily basis. The problem, at least for me, is finding the time. There is only so much of it in a day after all.
I have tried every plan conceivable to stick to my resolutions, including a “no resolution” plan thinking reverse psychology might help. It didn’t work.
The one thing I was able to accomplish was not even on my resolution list at all. Back in March, I had a couple of friends state they were kicking their soda habits. I took that as a challenge (everything is a competition with these two friends) and told them I would join their efforts.
Since I too was somewhat of a soda junkie — one glass a day (OK sometimes two) every day — I thought I would try to cut back too. I somehow managed to stick to a plan of allowing myself soda one day a week as a “cheat day” and while it was tough at first, I have found that I don’t miss it as much as I thought I would.
Do I still enjoy a can of Coke? Absolutely. But I no longer feel I need to have one each day. So I guess that’s something to stick a feather in my cap over.
This year I’m still looking to lose a few pounds. I need to spend more time with the family and I’m trying to be more positive both at work and at home.
Joseph Cyr is a staff writer for the Houlton Pioneer Times. He can be reached at jcyr@bangordailynews.com or 532-2281.
