May Objectives

Oh, May.  We're already nearly halfway in - ahem - no excuses here. I've felt a little paralyzed by coming up with this month's challenge and, in ostrich fashion, have decided to ignore it rather than actually dealing with my inertia.

So this is belated, and these aren't full-blooded "yes I'm so excited resolutions," but... something, right?

1. Physical. Well, here, a friend and I have set ourselves a goal. It's to do two weights sessions, two cardio sessions, and a bonus "other," along with 70,000 steps a week. It's a lot, but doable - and the reward will be not just the completion, but also a meal at Fatty 'Cue. Because we can. I have set up a spreadsheet to track the progress, and last week was very much a success. Get in!
2. Cultural. Last year, I read over 50 books, as I'd intended (using Goodreads as my measuring methodology). This year I set myself a goal of reading 60 books.  I'm currently three books behind the pace to achieve that goal.  I have, for the most part, kept up my March resolution of reading when I have a seat on the subway. But I'm still not making up the shortfall, and so my new resolution is to set aside an hour to read at home four days a week. I spend so much time on other "noise" - the internet, tv, and I'm not really interested in those in the same way. So here we go.

April Reckoning

April - not so springlike, after all.  Still, the objectives...

1. Gastronomical - we were supposed to try out a new one each week.  Didn't really happen - weeknights were busy, and we were away for a weekend, and so, really, it just didn't work.  Bummer.  But we did two new ones, which were pretty good - and one of them, at least, I intend to visit again (Puerto Viejo) on a highly regular basis - Dominican breakfasts = fab.
2. Environmental - Well, I haven't done something every day, but I (and the significant other) are being far better at going out and weeding regularly - every few days.  I've been properly using the composting, too - we used a lot of compost for turning over our soil and enhancing the soil before planting some herbs, tomatoes, that sort of thing, and giving a new lease of life to the plants already there (I hope!).  Additionally, I've been regularly attacking the evil Japanese Knotweed that's in the back garden, and our trees have been savaged by a proper arborist, who has given us back sunlight!
3. Cultural - Well, I failed to learn to use Adobe LightRoom.  Hmm.  Maybe that's a summer thing.

 

April Objectives

April! The bringer of Spring - well, sort of, as it's currently 42F/4C, and that's only the "Real Feel" because it's finally sunny. Bleurgh.

Nonetheless, it's time for April Objectives.

1. Gastronomical - there are a million restaurants and bars in the neighbourhood. We go to the same ones all the time. So it's time for a new one a week. Hooray!  [Note: this has already been achieved for Week One. Huzzah!]
2. Environmental - Gardening! Trying to do something every day. Yesterday I took photos for the arborist who is going to trim our trees, and I'm going to do something today - check out what it is that we need to do this month, basically. Hooray!
3. Cultural - I have Adobe Light Room. I don't know how to use it. I would like to learn that. This month is the month!

 Also - does anyone know how to play cribbage?

March Reckoning

So, March: How was it for you?

1. Physical: Plan (and carry out) workouts for the week. Well, since the update, I've not done any of that, mostly because I have been on holiday and it was absolutely amazing. I did do a lot of walking, we did yoga on the beach two mornings, and I went tubing (lots of arm work! and arm sunburn, too, but that's another story). So unplanned.
   
   This was, I have to say, not a great success as a resolution. But I think it is worth thinking about what I can do, exercise-wise, during the week and making sure there is a balance - some strength work, some cardio, some stretchy stuff. And this week, that's happening, for example - I've already done a Pilates session and have a beginners' vinyasa thing today (stretchy), have cardio on Sunday (football), and so should do a strength session Thursday morning. Bosh! Anything else is a bonus.
   
   
2. Cultural: Whenever I have a seat on the subway, I have to read my book.  Again, the holiday interfered with this somewhat, but I read a LOT while on holiday - and it was good.  And I do think the sitting down rule should work. Except yesterday, when I was catching up with podcasts. Ahem.
   
3. Apparent: Wear earrings every day. I've definitely been doing this more, and I do need to find a few more pairs for everyday wear. Overall, though, it's been fun.

March Update

1. Physical: Plan (and carry out) workouts for the week. Well, I've sort of managed that. Sort of. Just not this third week of March. And I've not managed to do the exact ones that I planned, but they have made me feel guilty about not working out, so I've done a little more than previously.
   
2. Cultural: Whenever I have a seat on the subway, I have to read my book.  Well, that's not been perfect, but the resolution has certainly made me read more. Of course, I've managed to pick serious books that require a lot of reading and slow going - but they've been phenomenal so far. 
3. Apparent: Wear earrings every day. This has not happened 100%, but I'm definitely, again, wearing them more than normal. It's just not going to be something that I do that often, but I'd forgotten how much I like a few pairs I own, so definitely going to wear those more often.

March Objectives

With February safely out of the way I'm back off the wagon and have a new set of goals for the month.  Which are as follows:

1. Physical: Plan (and carry out) workouts for the week.  I'm not planning on a specific number, but I am hoping that this will spur my use of my planner, and will be something I actually stick to. So the resolution is a twofer - and, of course, that's not at all cheating. Ahem. 
   
   
2. Cultural: I listen to podcasts a lot. I adore them. But I need to read books! Books! On Goodreads I set myself a target of 60 books this year, and I'm failing miserably: I've read 6 and it's March. I'm so behind! Therefore I need to get on reading, particularly as I have a backlog of exciting-looking library and Christmas-gifted books to read. So the resolution is that whenever I have a seat on the subway, I have to read my book. I can't keep defaulting to Football Weekly, Savage Love, The Bugle, and (my current favourite) How Did This Get Made?
3. Apparent: My other half noticed that I don't really wear earrings much anymore. And he's right. I have lost a lot of one half of a pair of earrings I really like, and I have found that so disheartening, particularly after one that I adored from Kenya (so really not replaceable), that I sort of gave up. But I want to start again. So, for March only, it's earrings every day. EVERY DAY, I tell you!

So that's March. You?

February Reckoning

Well, here's the February reckoning.

NBIF - this was pretty straightforward, actually. Other than one or two weak moments, it's been good - I've managed to go out to restaurants, hang out with friends on cold, damp nights that screamed for a spicy red wine (that was consumed by others), and go to a Super Bowl and Oscars party without much stress or envy. 

Physical - BIKRAM. Oh, Bikram. Well, I've been twice, which is not quite the eight attempts. I've had a lot of early mornings this month - far more than normal - and you'd have thought that would mean that I'm good at getting up - three mornings a week, why not four? But I love my lie-ins, I need my sleep, and it just proved too much. But I've been, and it was definitely The Monthly Project goals that got me there. So I'm going to hopefully keep it up once a week, because I have felt great afterward. So I'm hoping for once a week. Hoping.

Cultural - I've been doing it!  I've managed to choose loooooong articles, accidentally, but that's what interested me. But I've also been able to read more in general. We also went through our old magazines, got rid of loads that I'm never going to read, and going to make this a regular activity.

Environmental -The January Cure has been up and running. I have a much more beautiful bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, and closets, albeit each with a bit more work to be done. Seriously, my bathroom shelves are unrecognizable. I've particularly enjoyed buying flowers for the house each week - the different colours, smells, and arrangements have been invigorating and made me feel both far more grown-up than usual, but also generally happier - as if I have indeed invested in our home, as Apartment Therapy suggested I would. Damn you, lifestyle bloggers, for being right!  [Fist being shaken]

Achievement!  (and if you think they don't look good, remember the befores... Seriously)