New Year, New Goals?

[SofaraStarfyre]

Craft-wise, I intend to work on my embroidery. I have a funny picture of Sauron hula- hooping with the One Ring that I really want to stitch but which won't work as cross stitch. I'd love to finish that before 2015.

That sounds EPIC and hilarious! I can't wait to see how that comes out.

I pretty much never make resolutions.. I know I should but I never seem to be able to keep them. Personally I would like to lose some weight as I am obese (current weight is between 260 - 270, and has been for a good while), I just HATE excercise. I always have. I am not a sporty person in anyway, shape or form... I did do 2 years of cross country in high school because they made me (long story on that one, but as I was a ward of the state of Maine at the time and in a group home situation, they could make me and did), but that was 16 years ago. I do have a Wii and the Wii Fit Plus with board and also Wii Sports resort which are fun, but I just can't seem to find my motivation to get on it every day. I like to eat what I want when I want it. I am a chocoholic and I love my soda. I have a very serious sweet tooth.

[Kareesh]

Craft-wise, I intend to work on my embroidery. I have a funny picture of Sauron hula- hooping with the One Ring that I really want to stitch but which won't work as cross stitch. I'd love to finish that before 2015.

That sounds EPIC and hilarious! I can't wait to see how that comes out.

I pretty much never make resolutions.. I know I should but I never seem to be able to keep them. Personally I would like to lose some weight as I am obese (current weight is between 260 - 270, and has been for a good while), I just HATE excercise. I always have. I am not a sporty person in anyway, shape or form... I did do 2 years of cross country in high school because they made me (long story on that one, but as I was a ward of the state of Maine at the time and in a group home situation, they could make me and did), but that was 16 years ago. I do have a Wii and the Wii Fit Plus with board and also Wii Sports resort which are fun, but I just can't seem to find my motivation to get on it every day. I like to eat what I want when I want it. I am a chocoholic and I love my soda. I have a very serious sweet tooth.

My goal is to lose weight as well. I know what you mean by not being a sporty person. My exercise has to be fun. I've found I actually enjoy kickboxing (found a free video on Amazon Prime) and some of the dance ones as well. I'm avoiding going to gyms 'cause I don't think I'll fit in and I'm becoming less and less of a people person. Plus, having a toddler doesn't allow much outside the home stuff like gyms.

So, my advice, is find something you *really* enjoy doing. I enjoy rhyme stuff, which is why the dance stuff really appeals to me. The kickboxing makes me feel more...empowered. The way the teacher teaches it, is she says "This you can use to throw a man to the ground", so in a way, some of it is self-defense. After I'm done, I feel like I can take on anyone! lol. Exercising can be more important than the foods you eat. For food, moderation is key. Have your chocolate, but do so in moderation. I need to lose about 60-70 pounds, so it's not going to be easy for me either. :-/ Especially when one's husband fills her stocking up with chocolate.

[Siva]

I have a few craft and noncraft related goals for this year. As for crafting: Finish all the late xmas presents by the end of January (only 3 more to go!!), start and complete my book binding certifications, and hopefully finish my zelda embroidery.

The one non-craft goal I have is to learn how to skateboard. I've wanted to learn for as long as I can remember, and I figure 27 is the right age to start. I just bought a board a few days ago, and my boyfriend is teaching me. Wish me luck!!! and hopefully I dont kill myself in the process.

[blackmageheart]

I pretty much never make resolutions.. I know I should but I never seem to be able to keep them. Personally I would like to lose some weight as I am obese (current weight is between 260 - 270, and has been for a good while), I just HATE excercise. I always have. I am not a sporty person in anyway, shape or form... I did do 2 years of cross country in high school because they made me (long story on that one, but as I was a ward of the state of Maine at the time and in a group home situation, they could make me and did), but that was 16 years ago. I do have a Wii and the Wii Fit Plus with board and also Wii Sports resort which are fun, but I just can't seem to find my motivation to get on it every day. I like to eat what I want when I want it. I am a chocoholic and I love my soda. I have a very serious sweet tooth.

My goal is to lose weight as well. I know what you mean by not being a sporty person. My exercise has to be fun. I've found I actually enjoy kickboxing (found a free video on Amazon Prime) and some of the dance ones as well. I'm avoiding going to gyms 'cause I don't think I'll fit in and I'm becoming less and less of a people person. Plus, having a toddler doesn't allow much outside the home stuff like gyms.

So, my advice, is find something you *really* enjoy doing. I enjoy rhyme stuff, which is why the dance stuff really appeals to me. The kickboxing makes me feel more...empowered. The way the teacher teaches it, is she says "This you can use to throw a man to the ground", so in a way, some of it is self-defense. After I'm done, I feel like I can take on anyone! lol. Exercising can be more important than the foods you eat. For food, moderation is key. Have your chocolate, but do so in moderation. I need to lose about 60-70 pounds, so it's not going to be easy for me either. :-/ Especially when one's husband fills her stocking up with chocolate.

I'm with you two - I gained over 3st in 2013. Annoyingly it's the weight I lost after I had Ivy. I'm determined to get it off again this year. So my weights are being dusted off. I've also been playing Just Dance 2014, which is quite the aerobic workout!
I'd recommend strength training to any of the ladies - it burns way more calories than cardio and also for longer. It's also a fact that weight loss goals are more often achieved when you have friends/family who are doing it too, so if anyone wants to start a thread and get a group going we can all cheer each other on!

[funkymonkey]

That sounds like a great idea! In addition to finding a way to burn calories that you enjoy, I've found what you are eating made the biggest difference. I went to the gym 3 times a week for a few months and actually saw some weight gain (from muscles I assume). I actually stopped going to the gym, started playing DDR and jogging, and making simple changes to my diet and I lost 20 lbs in a couple months. Over the past year, with going back to school, changing careers, etc I've let my nutrition slip and I've gained most of it back, so I'm all in for taking another stab at it.

The biggest, easiest change: diet sodas in place of regular ones. A regular can of coke is 140 calories, or 3 weight watchers points (if you are keeping track of points, you get about 30-35 a day). If you had 2 sodas a day, that's 20 percent of the points you should be eating! Wouldn't you rather eat a 20% bigger lunch or dinner to stay full, and have 2 diet cokes instead? 0 points, 0 calories.

Now, I'm not saying that diet sodas are "healthy" for you; they still have carbonation, artificial sweetners, etc. BUT.. if you're like me and still going to drink the sodas anyway, at least make them diet! It really does make a difference.

Also, trying to curb eating snacks when you aren't actually hungry. I'm the last person to turn down a piece of cake at work, but even eating a piece of desk candy just because its there is working against you. Eat when you're hungry, drink water when you're not.

Easier said than done, but isn't everything?

[Kareesh]

Having a group cheer each other on is a great idea. I have a group on Facebook for that purpose, but there's only 2 of us in it at the moment. I'm also going to be using the app/website myfitnesspal.com, so if anyone is on there and wants to friend me, my user name is Shy422.

[blackmageheart]

I'm also going to be using the app/website myfitnesspal.com, so if anyone is on there and wants to friend me, my user name is Shy422.

Myfitnesspal is a fab site/app, which I have been using for a while. My logging's slipped a bit recently but I'm ready to get going again! I'll friend you

In addition to finding a way to burn calories that you enjoy, I've found what you are eating made the biggest difference.

So true. I've already replaced most of my snacks with healthy options, and having a small treat at the weekend. I don't drink carbonated drinks often but when I do they are always a sugar-free variety. Simple changes can really go a long way!

EDIT: For those of you with resolutions to lose weight etc, I started a support thread! viewtopic.php?f=16&t=14749

[QueenBex]

I have lots I want to do this year, i've already had the 'holy crap i'm turning 25 and done f all with my life, what the frick am I doing?' panic.

1) finish editing my first novel and get a cover created for it.
2) get a job
3) master crochet (prob not I swear i'm doing it all wrong)
4) get a regular routine going
5) become a better more active moderator for rocketbot.com
6) get back into my blog and create a second less intensive, more fun blog
7) get back into regular stitching of my big Avengers
8) get rich, find love, meet my internet pals

[TigerLily]

Craft-wise, I would really like to learn Tunisian crochet. Maybe if I find some time I'll get a chance to do that this year.

Non-craft-wise, if you've been in the weight loss topic, you know I want to get in shape by May. I'm doing pretty well so far at doing my exercises and tracking everything, so I am really thinking positive with that one. I have extra incentive in that when I do reach my goal, my boyfriend said he'll buy me a new tattoo, so that'll be cool.