Happy New Year

I think I finally made it through a New Years eve and new years day without someone asking me what my resolution was for the new year. It was at that point that I realized that I suck and keeping them anyway.

Take last years resolution to lose weight and get a grip on my diabetes. Well, it only took close to 11 months but I finally joined a gym and took "some" control over diabetes.  Not before it cost me a handful of sick days at work and an unknown amount of money in Dr. visits. (I say unknown because I don't care to know...not because I don't really know!)

So, going into 2011 I have set a few easy goals..but, they were set after January 1st so I don't know if they truly count as "resolutions"!!?

1) Stick with the gym thing. Should be easy. It's on the way home from work. It's paid for the whole year. I'm actually having a good time when I do go!

2) [or 1b] we get to revisit an oldie but a goodie!! Lose weight. To that end may I say that I am a little perplexed at this point. I've been going to the gym for about a month...have dropped my blood sugar numbers by about 50% but have gained about 6lbs. People ask me, "have you gained muscle?" unless my calves have gained about 3lbs each from riding the bike...I'm gonna go with no.

3) Get my happy ass out of the country. Not on a permanent basis. It's not like I'm gonna run off to live in Canada or Mexico...I just would really like to travel. I've always wanted to go to Europe (cliche?) and am still bummed that Illinois State University screwed me out of a chance almost a decade ago..not bitter though. So I have decided that this is the year. I will get my passport by the end of January...save most of my Tax return...and begin to work overtime to give myself the post college travel package I never got.

Thankfully I may have a few travel companions depending on how schedules work out! Fingers crossed! Current plans are for at least two weeks around June or July with destinations of Amsterdam, London, Cardiff (for the BBC sci-fi nerd in me) and all points between ... I'm looking at you Bruges!!

Three fairly easy...but expensive/time consuming goals for 2011. Oh, and for what it's worth I am willing to pick up companions for my adventure as the time moves forward! (I won't even make you call me The Doctor! *I said BBC sci-fi Nerd right?*)

So yeah...lose weight and go to Europe two big goals (oh and learn to count I guess)

New Year, New me?

Seems that every year we all start off with the grand vision of what's to come. Usually, we see a year of prosperity, hope or change. Most of us make "new years resolutions" that we never plan to keep. I have always subscribed to the thought that "no resolution" is always an easy one to keep.

By setting no goals you have nothing to fail at....you also have nothing to strive for! So, this year I have decided to actually push forward and make the mother of all dreaded New Years Resolutions..

**Lose Weight**

This year seems like an apt time to follow through on that goal. Last year I finally saw what the dangers of an unexpected health problem can lead to. As I said few months back, I had the joy of a detached retina. Granted I should have seen this coming since my right eye was Funked up for the better part of the year before I got it checked out. Along with the retina problem I was also diagnosed as Diabetic(during National Diabetes month of all times).

So getting the old weight issues in check seems to be a good place to start. Lower body weight should help bring the diabetes in check...and stave off future eye related issues.

The real eye opener (sorry!) was the hit this would have laid on my wallet if I had been without Medical Insurance. As of now the cost to me is just over $1,000 had I been paying out of pocket for the whole show then it would have come to nearly $14,000. So, yeah!

Since I made the decision to drop the pounds prior to Christmas I have seen my Blood Glucose numbers drop from being near 300 on a regular basis to down around 130. Which isn't as good as is could be..but is a hell of a lot better than it was. I've also dropped about 8lbs just by cutting back on the carbs/cal. and walking between 1-1.5 miles three times +/- per week. At some point I do plan on trying to ride the bicycle I have...but my ass fell of last time I attempted that one!

So the goals are simple...drop a total of 43lbs, the first 8 of which I mentioned are already gone,(which would bring me to 250) keep the Blood glucose in check...and generally be healthier. Which shouldn't be all that hard given the changes I've made to this point (I do miss my friend Doritos though!)

I can't promise to actually make my goal. But, at least this year I have something to reach for rather than just coast through the year.