I had really better write this one before it’s not March 1 anymore!

So, as an update … I have been trying SO hard on my last resolutions. I’ve been consistently blogging at least once per week since I launched, so that’s great! I really have brought my focus to eating out less. But the whole once-per-week situation is a lot harder than I thought it would be! I was pretty successful however, at only one lunch and one dinner per week. My bank account has definitely thanked me for it.

I’ve been very good about tracking what I eat, but what I feel has made an even bigger difference, is the fact that I cut meat out of my diet [for the time-being]. I actually feel lighter, without all that heavy food weighing me down after every meal.

so, in march

I’m trying to focus also on being relevant. I definitely want to keep this blog updated, but I don’t want to write just for the sake of having something to post. Must go through half-written drafts because there’s good stuff in there. [was that a resolution? I'm not sure.]

I want to try to stop substituting cheese for meat in my diet. Part of what I love about not eating meat is I feel like I can enjoy real cheese without the consequence of a zillion extra calories. Which isn’t really true. I mean, I like that I have extra room in my diet for a slice of real white cheddar [instead of Kraft 2% American singles], since fewer calories are taken up by meat. But I need to not make it a habit to use cheese as the focus of meals. I really enjoy hummus/beans/nuts/legumes/tofu/seafood and need to make the most of those items.

I found out that my blood pressure is way too high. As much as I love my job, it keeps me glued to my desk, which is so not good. I need to introduce physical activity back into my life. I HATE gyms. With a passion. I want to get my activity outside. But I also HATE being cold. Un problemo in a northern Nevada winter. I am resolving to get SOME TYPE of physical activity every day, even if I only have time for 10 minutes [which, let's face it, can't we always make time for a 20 minute walk?] This post by Erica Prather talks about how incredibly amazing our bodies are and what we can do with them and why we shouldn’t treat them like crapola. So I’m not going to anymore.

so … how are your goals coming?

Did you make resolutions at the beginning of the year? Have you stuck with them? Or do you prefer more manageable mini-goals? How are they going? Are you checking in and holding yourself accountable? I’m certainly trying to!!

I guess I can’t be awesome at everything all the time. While work like went swimmingly, I was a total loser last week about my resolutions. I failed last week because:

• I ate two lunches and one dinner out. Which is not the end of the world, I know. But it’s two more than I promised myself I would.
• I completely didn’t track what I ate at all. This is where I really let myself down, because I know that this is the one area I can really control. That said, I am proud to say that as of Saturday, I’ve been tracking and eating healthfully.

I really wanted to put this out there right now, because if I wait until March 1, I’m leaving the rest of the month open to remain noncommittal with my goals. And then it’ll be even harder for me to press on. And I really think I can do this. If one month is still to long for me, I’ll do it in weeks. So here’s to a week of much healthier eating.

how are your resolutions going?

What did you resolve to do at the beginning of the month or year? How is it going? What helps you stay on track?

photo credit: weheartit

so. welcome!

I am not sad to say that “Beccawik Bikes” is no more. You’re now looking at That Loud Girl. I am so crazy proud of myself for committing to my new month resolutions! Granted, this is the second time I resolved to redesign the blog, but still, yay me!

I’m really thrilled with how this site came out. I may still have some tweaking to do, but really, I just had to put. It. Down. With these things, I can tend to edit and revise to death. But the point is, it looks rad and that is all thanks to my friend, Mike Higdon, who is responsible for the awesome header up there and all of the portraits you’ll see on this site.

So, have a look around. See what it’s all about. I imagine this site, like myself will always be changing and growing. So hang out and chat with me! I’m super excited to see where this takes me!

oh right, there was a second resolution

Track what I eat all month. That doesn’t mean that I necessarily ate well, but I think it really helped. I resolve to continue that through the month of February.

and in february

• I resolve to eat only one meal out a week. This means only one meal. Not one dinner, and one lunch and once on the weekend. Only one.
• I resolve to post to this blog once per week. There are lots of changes happened right now in my work life that could complicate this goal, but with some planning, I think I can definitely do this. And why wouldn’t I? What, with this awesome new blog and all.
• I also continue to resolve to track what I eat every day. [I think that adding manageable resolutions to my existing and established resolutions is going to work out quite nicely. High five for unplanned progress!]

So, I was all “yay! I’m gonna make my blog all awesome and stuff” and then I basically disappeared off the face of the earth, and it’s now well past January 1 and I don’t have a new blog.  (Liz, you and me can go be a suckfest together.  Srsly.)

Originally, I was really, truly committed to announcing my brand new blog on January 1  and I didn’t write during that time because I figured I would make a nice big splash.  So … that didn’t happen.  I’m still working on it and really do plan to have it done soon.

Which bring me to the point of this post.

I want to talk about New Year’s resolutions.  I hate them.  I never do them.  I am pretty sure I became disillusioned and basically over them when I was about 12 years old.  They set us up to disappoint ourselves.  The worst kind of disappointment.  I’m all “if you want to change you life, change your life!  Don’t wait until January 1 to do so!”  Words to live by, right?  So … why am I not like that?

So, I’m committing to New Month resolutions.  Smaller, more manageable, pocket-sized resolutions.  Yeah, yeah, I want to eat better, work out more and lose weight in 2010.  I want to become a more awesome professional in 2010.  I want to read more in 2010.  I want to be a better girlfriend in 2010.

But those are big scary tasks that make me want to crawl into a hole.

So, Happy New Month!

… even though I’m a week late.  From now on, on the first of the month, I’m going to post two to three smallish and manageable New Month resolutions (because we all know if I put it in the blog, I’m really committed to it).

In January I will:

• Launch my new blog
• Track my weight watchers points every single day this month (This one will be interesting, as I am going home to Vegas to visit the fam and celebrate my birthday and my niece’s birthday.  But.  I’m.  Doing.  It.)

So, have a happy January!