Maybe you made a resolution, maybe you didn’t. I started the New Year with two big goals – to challenge myself (hence the “Project Me 2011″) and to get uber-fit.

And by uber-fit I mean BIKINI. Yes, this mom of two just said BIKINI. Shudder.

I’m just an average Joe just like everyone else, and my resolutions come with plans … and fears. What if I don’t stick with it? What if I don’t have time? What if I FAIL and the whole  world sees? What if I can never fit back into my clothes?

I find that I do better when I put my goals out there. I need to be accountable. I need some cheerleaders.

On Sundays I am going to be accountable to YOU. I’ll also give you reports on body fat, inches and weight lost. (We’ll start with that next week.)

HERE’S MY REPORT:

I started my resolution last week. A little late by most standards, I realize.

Since I started my resolution … I’ve lost 2 pounds (!!) and learned to alter the way I look at food. That is a huge step for me. Food is my personal stumbling block. Well, actually the QUANTITY of food I think is acceptable is my stumbling block.

My family and friends have been … very supportive. Although my husband and I haven’t been as diligent as I would have liked, we missed a leg workout day earlier in the week and if we don’t get up at 4:30 a.m. then the whole workout is rushed.

One way I have changed my thinking is … to view food as fuel and to think twice about what I put in my mouth. If I am intentional about my eating then I don’t graze as much.

If I had to pin down one piece of advice so far to someone who may be working toward the same goals … it would be plan your meals. Plan! It is much too easy to stop off for fast food when you are in a hurry. Take an hour on the weekend to really think about when you will be eating for the week and stock up on fresh foods. It is worth the effort!

What are YOU doing to keep your resolutions on track? Do you believe in resolutions?

I love a fresh slate.

For me, when the ball drops and the fireworks begin, it is a symbol of hope.  The opportunity for each of us to create our existence anew.   The feeling that one can do ANYTHING and that for the next 12 months, the possibilities are unlimited.

I am a huge believer in the power of goal setting.  Lewis Carroll once said that “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.”  Wise, indeed.

This year I am sticking with 10 very achievable goals to guide me throughout the months ahead and I would love to share them with you…

1. Become less buoyant.
Ditch the excess baggage on the bod like, pronto.  You know you have hit your personal  limit when suddenly you don’t let people take pictures of you anymore.  (At least without small children standing in front of you.) No documentation=no guilt?  So I will be on a personal journey, which I will probably share with you for the purpose of motivation.  Or accountability.  I can name at least three blog friends who are not afraid to call me out on it…. Um, Brandee?

2. Bang it out.
Become a better writer/blogger. With my personal blog approaching it’s first birthday and my new opportunity with the Washington Times, my goal for the New Year is to really bang out some quality content.  ‘Nuff said?

3. Frighten strangers.
With intense squeals of laughter. With unabashed moments of glee.  I don’t know about you but I have become far too serious and I”m tired of it.  When is the last time you laughed until you peed your pants?

4. Take leave of my senses.
Go out on a limb. Do something unexpected….OFTEN. Try new things.  Find passion.

5. Hop off of a cliff.
Quit analyzing so much and TAKE ACTION.  Not to be all Anthony Robbins on you but, ACTION needs to be my mantra for 2010. Not reading books about action. Not talking to people about taking action…. JUST TAKING ACTION, ALREADY.  Sometimes I “prepare” so much that I don’t get things done.

6. Get a divorce.
From my attitude.  It is time to retrain the old brain into some new ways of thinking.  Continue with my gratitude journal. Recognize life for the blessing that it is.

7. Ditch the fear.
Do I really need to explain this one?

8. Be others focused.
Do I need to explain this one too?

9. Get over myself already.
Recognize that God and my faith are the most important and pivotal things things in my existence.  Put that first.

10.Change the record in my head.
Give myself a break.  Realize that it is okay if I can’t do it all perfectly.

Okay.  So now that I have put this all out there I welcome your thoughts.  Can you relate?  Am I missing something? Care to share one or two of your own?  Or… do you totally hate resolutions?  Inquiring minds want to know!

It is that time of year again.  A time for reflection. A time of anticipation. A time of renewal.

I don’t know about you, but I am a sucker for the New Year.  I just adore the feeling of a clean slate and unlimited possibilities!

So, with that in mind, I wanted to put together some guidelines to help you prepare for a successful year ahead:

Dream big. Set the bar high for yourself! Yeah, the easier stuff is simple to achieve but why settle for the small dreams?  If you succeed, you will feel amazing and let’s face it – if you fall short you will still end up exceeding your expectations!

Chart a course. Make a plan. How can you get where you want to be going without a map?  It doesn’t make sense to have huge expectations and nary a plan to achieve what you want.  Be realistic.  It just isn’t going to happen if you don’t take some time to plan out your action steps.

Work at it. There is no such thing as an “overnight success.”  Work at your goals every single day, even if only for a couple of minutes.

Modify. Don’t get discouraged!  If something doesn’t work, be open and flexible.

“Nearly every glamorous, wealthy, successful career woman you might envy now started out as some kind of schlep.” - Helen Gurley Brown (Author, publisher and business woman)

“He who demands little gets it.” - Ellen Glasgow (Pulitzer prize winning novelist)

“Believe that you can, but plan.  It will not fall in your lap.” – Antonia Novello (first female surgeon general of the United States.)