Moving On in 2012...

2012 is a New Year, don't let it get washed away!

In a few days 2011 will be over, behind us, the good and the bad.  Some people are sad about to see the old year end, others are happy and hopeful as they welcome the New Year.  The New Year, 2012, is a blank slate and we can write whatever we want on it for ourselves.  Unfortunately, not everything is in our control, so things may happen that we don’t like.  But, a lot of what happens is in our control.  We can make some positive changes in our lifestyles and attitudes and that can have a ripple effect on everything and everyone around us.  What have we got to lose anyway?  Being more positive isn’t going to kill us, in fact, if anything, it should make us live longer.

I’ve already started thinking ahead.  I plan to get back on the 17 Day Diet, which worked very well for me last January, but I got sidetracked somewhere a long the way.  The exercise DVD that went with it was way too rigorous for my body.  Even the warm up wiped me out.  I am hoping that Jane Fonda’s DVDs (Prime Time) will be more my speed (slow motion) and that they will help me get started in the right direction.  Diet and exercise should be on everyone’s list of things to do. Even if you don’t have to lose weight, eating healthy foods makes a huge difference in how you feel. I have been finding, over the holidays, that junk food and sweets make me feel sick.  It just confirms my resolve to do something about my eating habits.  According to Jane and my doctor, as we get older, exercise is even more important.  It’s harder for us to move around.  But if we work on our muscles it eliminates many aches and pains from doing even normal activities.  Also, exercise helps build bone and calcium supplements are not enough. I went of a bone density test (if you are over 50 you should go) and found I already have osteoporosis.  I am taking Fosamax, calcium and vitamin D3 supplements.  I need the exercise too.

I heard about a book called the “Power of Positive Thinking” by Norman Vincent Peale and I am going to get it out of the library.  Many people consider me a positive person, but I don’t, that’s why I named my blog Pet Peeves. I feel like I am always complaining about something.  Maybe I can help myself focus on the positive enough so that I can feel I have a good attitude?  Who knows, anything is possible if you think it is.

If you have some toxic people or relationships in you life, you may want to consider limiting your contact with these people or severing ties.  Toxic relationships cause a tremendous amount of stress and they take a toll on our mental, physical and emotional well being. It’s a toll that we really can’t afford. They drain us of energy, take away our motivation and focus on the good things, and can literally make us sick.  It may be a good time to assess your relationships and see if you can reduce stress in that department. At the same time, reconnect or nurture relationships with those who care and make you feel good about yourself.  Call more often, plan lunch or dinner dates, and make time for family.  It doesn’t have to be a holiday to have family over. Maybe have a summer family reunion in 2012?  Life is short and you don’t want to have regrets.

Find things you enjoy doing, that you haven’t done in a long time. Old hobbies, visiting with friends, cooking, charity work, writing, reading…anything that has a positive effect on how you feel.  

We have a few days before 2012 starts to consider making some changes in our lives that will make the new year better and healthier for each of us.  Start thinking. Next Monday you will at least have a plan started for getting the new year off on the right foot!