It's that word you hear every year and it puts cringes on people's faces. Ask a person what they plan on doing different this year and they look at you like you are crazy. A lot of people don't make New Years Resolutions because they feel like a failure if they can't keep them. NOT ME!!! I am the New Year's Resolutions king. I love making them knowing I won't/can't keep them all. I am all about trying to better myself in anyway possible. Mainly because there is a whole lot to improve! This is a great opportunity to do as much as I can while the fire is burning hot inside. You should see the list I make in my head each year, it is a little absurd.
The key to New Years Resolutions is NOT taking it so hard if you don't succeed in keeping all of them. That iss not what it is about. The object of the resolution is to point yourself in a better direction in life. Whether it be family, health, or whatever, we could all use a little navigational pull away from the bad and more to the good. If you keep a few of them, that is AWESOME! You have changed something about you for the better, and a lot of people can't say that.
So I thought I would post a list of the TOP TEN RESOLUTIONS OF 2007. See if any of yours made the list.
1) Spend More Time with Family & Friends
Recent polls conducted by General Nutrition Centers, Quicken, and others shows that more than 50% of Americans vow to appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends this year.
2) Fit in Fitness
The evidence is in for fitness. Regular exercise has been associated with more health benefits than anything else known to man. Studies show that it reduces the risk of some cancers, increases longevity, helps achieve and maintain weight loss, enhances mood, lowers blood pressure, and even improves arthritis. In short, exercise keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better.
3) Tame the Bulg
Over 66 percent of adult Americans are considered overweight or obese by recent studies, so it is not surprising to find that weight loss is one of the most popular New Year's resolutions. Setting reasonable goals and staying focused are the two most important factors in sticking with a weight loss program, and the key to success for those millions of Americans who made a New Year's commitment to shed extra pounds.
4) Quit Smoking
If you have resolved to make this the year that you stamp out your smoking habit, over-the-counter availability of nicotine replacement therapy now provides easier access to proven quit-smoking aids. Even if you've tried to quit before and failed, don't let it get you down. On average, smokers try about four times before they quit for good. Start enjoying the rest of your smoke-free life!
5) Enjoy Life More
Given the hectic, stressful lifestyles of millions of Americans, it is no wonder that "enjoying life more" has become a popular resolution in recent years. It's an important step to a happier and healthier you!
6) Quit Drinking
While many people use the New Year as an incentive to finally stop drinking, most are not equipped to make such a drastic lifestyle change all at once. Many heavy drinkers fail to quit cold turkey but do much better when they taper gradually, or even learn to moderate their drinking. If you have decided that you want to stop drinking, there is a world of help and support available.
7) Get Out of Debt
Was money a big source of stress in your life last year? Join the millions of Americans who have resolved to spend this year getting a handle on their finances. It's a promise that will repay itself many times over in the year ahead.
8) Learn Something New
Have you vowed to make this year the year to learn something new? Perhaps you are considering a career change, want to learn a new language, or just how to fix your computer? Whether you take a course or read a book, you'll find education to be one of the easiest, most motivating New Year's resolutions to keep. Challenge your mind in the coming year, and your horizons will expand.
9) Help Others
A popular, non-selfish New Year's resolution, volunteerism can take many forms. Whether you choose to spend time helping out at your local library, mentoring a child, or building a house, there are many nonprofit volunteer organizations that could really use your help.
10) Get Organized
On just about every New Year resolution top ten list, organization can be a very reasonable goal. Whether you want your home organized enough that you can invite someone over on a whim, or your office organized enough that you can find the stapler when you need it, these tips and resources should get you started on the way to a more organized life.
So you may be wondering, what does PedalHard plan on doing different or improving on for 2007. Well, here are a few...
Quit eating junk (includes candy... sugar is bad)
Cut down on my Miller Light intake (alcohol turns to sugar, and sugar is still bad)
Log over 4000 road miles for 2007
Learn how to fix my own bicycle
Attend a bike class
Go mountain biking once a week
Compete in at least 2 12 hour races in 2007
Compete in at least 5 mountain bike races in 2007
Buy a cyclocross bike and ride the snot out of it
Compete in the Alabama Cross Series this fall
Win a podium spot in the Alabama Crosss Series
Win at least one race this year
Compete in at least one road race
When competing in the road race, try not to kill myself
Set up a weight training program and stick to it
MORE TO COME!
