Thursday, January 2, 2014

Resolution Time...


Hi!  Remember me? I've been on hiatus from blogging. I wanted to savor and enjoy the holidays and really clear my head and my plate of all the distractions I've had going on this past year. I didn't want to post just to post.  So, hi, I'm back!

My husband and I took a trip to North Carolina to the family cabin to vacate our lives after the holidays and on our way home yesterday, I decided to call my shots for 2014. Writing it down really helps me remember what I want to focus on but putting it out there will help me be accountable.  Here goes:



In the quite moments of our vacation, watching my husband with our dogs, I re-discovered how sweet, loving and wonderful this man is.  I want to remember and re-train myself to always be kind and loving to him right back. And to fight fair. And to take a deep breath and realize we're on the same team, always.  I tend to get so determined and involved in so many things that I can get tunnel-vision and need to remember to take the time to be loving.

We would like to buy a new house (or build one?) next year, so I'd like to work on wiping our personal debts clean and focus on tying up all our loose ends so we are in a healthy place to do so in 2015.

I cannot believe I'm about to share this out loud, but in the past 9 months I've lost 84 lbs!  Sounds like I love a good brag I'm sure, but it's important for me to continue to be accountable and talk about where I want to go.  We (husband and I) started a journey last March to get healthy and make good changes in our eating habits and we've acheived many good things in that area.  Sadly, I still have more to go, so I'd like to lose 30 more pounds by my birthday and one-year anniversary of our life-change. Totally do-able, if I just stay focused.

This is such a hard topic for me to explore because I've become such a good actress during my corporate career that the people-pleasing part of my nature has really started to take a toll on me. I have crafted a great career for myself (outside of decorating) and in doing so I've lost a bit of my soul.  Coupled with wanting to always make others feel better about themselves, and being a positive person, I tend to feel bowled over and used up at times.  I want, no,need, to start sticking up for myself in little ways.  Expressing my opinions without worry about how others will react.  Starting to be firm with boundaries.  Saying no.  Relying heavily on my own sense of self and reason and not compromising with others just to be agreeable.   I want to stand strong in what I think and how I should be treated by others.  I'm going to be 32 years old this year.  It's time to let others deal with their own baggage and reactions and set my own self free, no matter how others may feel about it.

I'd like to walk into a store and put on a pair of jeans that are a size 12.  Grossly, embarrassingly, and hauntingly, I started this life change wearing a size 26.  Ugh. I can't even hit publish without wincing that this info will be inked in the interwebs forever.  I already feel so much more liberated that I can wear a 16 at most stores now.  So if I can finish out at a 10-12, I'll feel good and be able to wear clothes at most stores I like!  That will be a wonderful feeling and well worth all of the hard work.

Lastly, I want to remind myself that yoga is always a good idea.  I get to the gym and get zeroed in on doing cardio or an intense workout class like Step, Kickboxing, Body Combat or otherwise.  I forget the restorative properties of yoga and how good it is for my mind.  I need to remember that, despite burning less calories, yoga is a great deal more effective on my soul.

My hope for 2014 is that it treats us all well, especially you, our loyal friends.  I would love to see what you have in store for your own resolutions and goals, as cliche as you may find these posts at this time of year.  I feel that we've tapped into an amazing network of new friends on this blog and would love to support you as much as you've supported us.  Thank you for a great year in the blogworld, friends! And may 2014 bring you joy and health!




25 comments:

  1. I hate to be the first to comment, but I had no idea you were writing this post! I am extraordinarily proud of you my dear. It has been a roller coaster year for you and even though I'm with you every step of the way, with each experience I see you growing and blooming brighter. I love you so much and am so happy to be partners in our decorating business. I feel energized and unstoppable when we combine our talents and join you in thinking BIGGER this year, together. There isn't anything you can't accomplish. Hoping all your wishes come true. xoxo Mom

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  2. Thanks for visiting , your blog is absolutely beautiful!
    . I will follow you too :) Hugs xo Vicky

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  3. Well, I'm not your mom but I couldn't be more proud of you. You have an amount of clarity that it took much longer for me to acquire! You are a beautiful, inside and out, and I know you'll find your strength and meet those goals. Be proud of what you have accomplished with your weight loss goal! You have shown enormous dedication and been an inspiration to others, even if you don't know it. You have, Bethany. Stay focused and take no shit! I'm right there with you. :)

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  4. Thanks for your beautifully honest post. I could cry right now. Now I know I don't "know" you but I believe in you. I fought my own battles a little over a decade ago and lost 75 pounds. It aint easy as you well know but its worth it, for so many reasons but most of all just to be healthy for those I love and want to be around a long time for. :) If you ever want to chat via email leave a comment on my blog and I'll email you back. :) Happy New Year! Its going to be good, I just know it.

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  5. Happy new year and such great goals! My goal is similar - to make sure to exercise everyday for health reasons (I'm turning 34 myself this year). I try to keep my goals to 1 a year so I can really concentrate on them and not forget prior goals from past years! So far so good......

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  6. Congratulations Bethany! I love how honest you were in this post and I also love that your mom was the first to comment! It shows how close you are and how proud she is of you! Stay strong and know that we are all here cheering you on! Best wishes for 2014!
    Cheers! - Shelley

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  7. Holy guacamole, sister! A triple mazel to you!!! I think you're just marvelous whatever size jeans you're wearing, but I do understand the motivation to shop wherever you please.

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  8. You are already a very kind person, and doing such a great job with your weight and 32 was a great year for me and will be for you too!! I will be 48 soon and I long for the days of the 30's sometimes! Here sto much success in all that you set out to do this year!!!

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  9. Set yourself free girl!! I can relate to so many of your resolutions...something about the 30's makes you want to stop dealing with all the bs you've put up with over the last decade. I need to get me resolutions in writing too!

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  10. Good luck with attaining your goals! I am trying to loose 20 pounds by May 1, which is much harder to do at the age of 65! I have already lost 10 and want to look good for my daughter's wedding in May.
    You sound like a beautiful person, inside and out, and that's what's important! Taking good care of yourself mentally as well as physically should be life changing! Oh yeah, and the yoga should be wonderful! All that stretching can do wonders for you! Good luck!

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  11. Oh my goodness. I don't know if this beautiful heartfelt post is making me cry or your Mom's comment. So proud of you for having the courage to put it all out there. I hope you achieve all of your dreams, Bethany. Best to you in 2014!

    xo
    Kim

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  12. Wishing you all the best in 2014! I'm not sure if I have ever commented before but you and your Mom are very inspiring. Thank you for being so honest and open.
    Leigh Ann

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  13. So proud of you, Bethany! You have already achieved so much. And thank you for sharing your goals with us - your determination and honesty inspire me!! BTW, you are already kind so check off that one please :)
    xo

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  14. I AM SO PROUD OF YOU, BETHANY! Unlike you, I have not been faithful to my workout routine, but that is changing!! I really enjoy it!
    Good luck with your resolutions this year! I will be cheering for you!
    Teresa
    xoxo

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  15. Woohooo! 84 lbs?!! that's fantastic!!!! I know you can meet your goals for sure!!!!! Remember, we're all here cheering for you!!!!! GO TEAM BETHANY!

    AMEN to all your other goals, one of my goal too is to get rid of my credit card debt at least! I HAVE to, if I want to renovate more this year, so hopefully, I can stay focused! And yes, you should never take S-h--- from anybody, you are a great person with a great mind, so speak it and it's other's people's problem if they can't take it! Ha! CHEERS to 2014!!!!

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  16. What an unbelievable achievement - I'd be shouting it from the rooftops, Bethany!! I love hearing your goals and feel I know you so well just from following along on your blog - wishing you a year filled with health, happiness and dreams becoming realities!!

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  17. Great goals! It has inspired me to write my own list and hopefully stick to it. Happy Weekend!
    xm

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  18. Welcome back lady! And way to go with setting some clear, bad-ass goals. Best of luck in working through these this year and know that we are here to support and help empower you so yes, we're glad you hit publish on this one.

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  19. Bravo Lady! Consider yourself blessed that you have come to realization at a young age that self care is not selfish, but a part of life. I will turn 49 this week and have finally come the point where I feel I can put the same thing into practice. wish me luck...I have to lose 70lbs but I decided a health me is what I really wanted for my 50th!
    Chris

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  20. You rock on, Bethany. You should be so excited about all of the progress you made last year. WOW. About wanting to be stronger. That's fantastic that you want to work on being more assertive. Know that lots of women see that just happen naturally in their 40s. It comes easily with age, and you're still young! It's a matter of not caring what others think anymore : ) Best wishes to you for the New Year!!

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  21. Your goals for 2014 sound healthy and very attainable! Since I'm relatively new here, I had no idea that you have been working so hard to change your life ... well done and rock on!!

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  22. Bethany, This is a wonderful and inspirational post. Congratulations on your weight loss and setting up realistic goals for the coming year. I agree, yoga is always a great option. Just learning how to breath properly is helpful in our overall well being. On social issues, I think we all get caught up in always trying to be and do it all AND we always want everyone to like us. Best to you and I know you will get there! xxleslie

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  23. Awesome in every way. So inspired by you all the time! Love you and your momma. Here's to great things in 2014 for the Powell Brower ladies!

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  24. Good for you! Writing down goals makes them easier to achieve so you are on the right track for success.

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