New for the New Year

 I'm not big on New Year's Resolutions, but I do have a few goals for this year related to my personal health and productivity. Stress affects my body in a big way, and I feel like the events of the past few years have taken a toll on my well-being, so this year I'd like to take better care of myself.

First, I plan to continue with my gym routine, but I need to be more consistent (less of a slacker!) when I'm there. I have a tendency to make excuses and not push myself as hard as I should. As a result, I'm not where I want to be with my treadmill running. There's no one to blame but myself.  I really do enjoy running and I think it's great for my mental health so this year I'm done slacking. I'm going to get back to 5K level again and MAINTAIN IT!

Our daughter has been practicing yoga for almost a year now and I can see a big difference in her strength and flexibility. She's been after me to try it, too, so for Christmas she gave me a yoga mat. She signed me up for a 30-day free yoga challenge, which I started right after Christmas. I think yoga is going to be a great supplement to my gym workouts.

When I started the 30-day yoga challenge, I could immediately see how badly I need this in my life. My body has never been flexible, and I could barely do some of the poses. My daughter suggested a second (much easier) 30-day challenge, so I started doing it, too. Now I've been doing two yoga videos each day, one easier and one harder. Already my shoulders feel looser, my balance on the mat is better, and I'm getting closer to being able to (kind of) do that dreaded Downward Dog pose.

 Finally, I'm jumping onto the planner trend! I used to live by my Franklin Planner, but for some strange reason I stopped using it a few years ago. I went back to old, ineffective methods of writing lists in various notebooks and on sticky notes and scribbling notes on my calendar. Now I've got a lovely new Simple Stories Carpe Diem planner with all kinds of things to make it pretty and functional. I'm in the process of getting it set up for the new year and am anxious to see how this new system compares to the Franklin system I once loved!

Here's to a healthier, more productive 2016!

jp