My Resolutionary War

I am big on resolutions.  I don't know why.  

I usually come up with about two dozens thing, organized in an outline.  

That's just how my OCD mind works.

I am constantly battling as I organize them into important categories and subcategories, 

and I end up overwhelming myself with very small resolutions that are 

really better defined as "plans for how to achieve my goal."

No, really.  

I left myself a 4 minute and 53 second voicememo outlining 

my resolutions, and the subpoints of each, on my iPhone.

Here, I've condensed them for your pleasure!

My Official 2012 Resolution List (Abridged)

1.  Eat healthier/Lose Weight

  The reason I'm combining these two separate resolutions into one is because I haven't always felt that I made healthy choices even when I followed Weight Watchers.  I ate a lot of processed food, and very little fruits and vegetables. 

No more Lean Cuisines!  No more Laughing Cow!  No more cookies and crackers and Weight Watchers-sponsored sweets!  And no more ice cream!  Unless it's a truly special occasion! 

I am newly devoted to eating fresher, less processed food while on Weight Watchers.  

More fruits, more veggies, more nuts (giggle), more lean protein-- all organic, when possible. 

I'll be making more of my own food and devoting an hour or two each weekend to preparing my dinners for the week.

One thing I won't do is get into this "all or nothing" mindset I often fall into when dieting.  

It's hard for me to have a small splurge without saying "Oh well, I totally effed up, let's pig out!"  

From now on I plan on allowing myself a few bites of splurgey items, including processed ones, and walking away.

This week, I've been very successful and lost 8 pounds.

2.  Exercise

I am planning to ease my way in to running while doing yoga and Zumba at least one a week each.  

Then, as I become a better runner, I'll increase the number of days I run while still doing Zumba and yoga.  My brother got me an awesome Nike+ sensor for Christmas and I'm looking forward to seeing how it works.  

Additionally, I'd like to start doing more weight training.

Bottom line: I will work out 2-3 per week and increase that to 4-5.

3.  Learn the stuff I've been meaning to learn

This includes three main things: sewing, upholstery, and my damn camera.

I got a sewing machine for Christmas and I'm really excited to get started sewing curtains and stuff. 

I've been interested in upholstery for awhile and I'd like to teach myself how to do it.  I'd love to take a class but there aren't any in my area.

And my wonderful camera is just sitting on my shelf, taunting me.

4. Be more organized

This is mainly for work but also for planning so that I don't screw up 1 or 2, and that I have time for 3.

5.  Keep finances in order

I am usually quite good with my budgeting, so this is more like a continuation thing than a resolution:

I'll continue to get m allowance in cash only.  Painful but helpful.

And I'm going to limit myself to one Target trip per week.  I've been going more than once recently and I end up spending at least $20, even if I just go in for milk.  Target's magical like that.

And as always, we're continuing to use Dave Ramsay's credit card payoff plan and saving up our emergency stockpile.

And there you have it.  Hours of agony broken into four small sections.  But now I'm worried that I'm forgetting something... anybody else getting back on the wagon?  What are your plans for success?