The Kat Files

Happy New Year!

I’m always looking for ways to improve my life by making it better. And, making your life better requires change. Change can be challenging; however, it can also be exhilarating. I’ve decided this year to use the month of January to start some challenges I find interesting, beneficial, and fun. In addition, I plan to use the month to set some goals for the remaining eleven months of the year. Trying to set goals during the holiday season doesn’t work for me because of all the holiday distractions. I, like so many other people, quickly abandon those goals before January ends. I want a clean slate, time, and some enthusiasm to fuel the resolutions to achieve those goals. The number one goal for every area of my life is to be happy, feel good, experience the joy of life itself. According to Danielle LaPorte, it is not so much achieving the goal as it is how you will feel when you actually achieve that goal.

Challenge #1 (8-Week Weight Loss Challenge)

I weighed myself Saturday morning (133 pounds), and not surprisingly, I gained seven pounds. I deserve every pound I gained. I ate the fig cookies, pralines, carrot cake, raspberry chipotle meatballs, dips and chips, fried turkey, etc. I’m grateful it wasn’t more because I definitely indulged this holiday season. Thank goodness I exercised during the holidays. It could have been so much worse. I put seven marbles back in the container for “pounds to go” and plan to get back on track tomorrow morning.

I’m planning to do an 8-Week “Get Healthy” Challenge sponsored by SixSistersStuff.com. They even have the challenge on Facebook. I’ve talked to mon frere, Moonius Maximus, about joining the challenge so we can hold each other accountable. We will start tomorrow Monday 7 January. This challenge will give him some much-needed motivation and will help me lose the weight I gained during the holidays. I like this challenge because it is based on clean eating and exercise, which is the lifestyle I’ve adopted. The site includes a packet which has charts to record your progress. I encourage everyone to take a look (just click on the green titles above, and you will be brought to the links).

Challenge #2 (21 Day Relationship Challenge)

I’m all for trying things to bring more happiness and joy to my life. Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project and Happier at Home, has come up with the 21 Day Relationship Challenge. Basically, you will receive an e-mail each morning for three weeks with a resolution to strengthen your bonds with others. The challenge will begin on Monday, 14 January, so if anyone is interested in participating in this challenge, visit the link above (green) and join.

Challenge #3 (Making Money in Commercials)

I’m taking a workshop this month with my acting coach, Lance E. Nichols. I enjoy acting even though it is extremely challenging for me. The experience is helping me to become fearless.

Challenge #4 (Reading List 2013)

In 2012 I challenged myself to read at least 24 books for the year (2 books per month) from three categories: children’s literature, adult fiction, and adult non-fiction. I created a list of 32 books. Unfortunately, I could not stick to just the books on my list. I deviated a little bit; however, out of the 32 books on my list I read 18 plus 20 more off my list giving me a total of 38 books for the year. There are just TOO many terrific books, and I can’t resist going to the bookstore! Creating the list, as well as joining the Goodreads website helped me read more last year. One of my resolutions every year is to read more. I haven’t put my list together for 2013, yet. I WILL post it this week. It will include titles from last year that I didn’t get to read plus quite a few new titles. I bought two new books from BAM last night which will be included on the list, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak and The Technologists by Matthew Pearl.

As you can see, I’m starting 2013 with some energy and enthusiasm. Throughout the month, I will be writing down my goals and resolutions for different areas of my life to implement for the remainder of the year….all of which I will share with you, my dear readers. In the meantime, hoping everyone is enjoying the new year with a grateful and loving attitude. Happiness!

“Your life does not get better by chance. It gets better by change.” ~ Jim Rohn