No resolutions.

Resolutions are meant to be broken. That's why I never make them.

Goals, however, are another thing, and I do try to set them periodically. Serving others is important, as is work/life balance. Good fitness and health habits are important, too, and I made some changes in 2017 that I'd like to extend into 2018. There are some goals around sewing as well. Today I'll share some early goals for 2018 with you here.

Serving Others

My first goal for 2018 is to focus more on others. I want to extend the spirit of Christmas (Peace, Joy and Hope) into the new year. This attitude will take me out of myself more often, and let me be of service to those who really need it. I have been very fortunate and would like to share with others by trying to provide peace of mind, opportunities for joy and by being someone's hope. There are many charitable options for all of us (both local and national), and plenty of need. My prayer is to be guided in the right direction. To help evaluate charities you may be interested in supporting, please check out Charity Navigator. https://www.charitynavigator.org/

Work/Life Balance

I've always been fortunate to have work that was meaningful to me and enjoyable, and it's no different today. It's important for me to remember that at work I'm not saving lives or curing diseases, and keeping that perspective helps maintain the balance between work responsibilities and personal commitments. I often work through lunch at my desk so I can leave on time and get to the gym before it gets too busy. We're fortunate at Springs Creative that management promotes a healthy work/life balance.

Weight

This year I dropped about 30 pounds on the Weight Watchers plan and became a lifetime member by maintaining that weight loss. As a lifetime member, I must weigh in no less than once monthly and be no more than 2 pounds over my goal weight, although I usually weigh in more often because the accountability really works for me.

Confession: I have allowed myself to "experience" a reasonable amount of some of the holiday-only foods in order to maintain an acceptable level of morale, and I have put a few pounds back on, but will be getting back on track after January 1...and I'm still under my goal weight. Weight Watchers has really worked for me; check it out here.

https://www.weightwatchers.com/us/

Diet

So maybe the word "diet" isn't right; a successful eating plan is more of a lifestyle change. We have been eating more vegetables and reduced meat, dairy and sugar, and will be continuing that focus throughout 2018. Usually we eat only modest amounts of chicken, pork or fish, and we rarely eat red meat. We're already using almond milk and I need to cut back on cheese...and that will be a challenge.

Reducing added sugar is also something I've been working on, and I feel better for it. Over the past few years we have been drifting toward a vegan-like eating plan, and while I don't think we could adopt it completely (Give up my pork BBQ? Never!), it has already influenced in many ways the way we eat. I have used some recipes from Forks Over Knives; check them out here. https://www.forksoverknives.com/

Fitness

I've been working out fairly regularly this year, but I need to step it up in 2018 and take it more seriously. A good balance between weight training and cardio is important, and I try to get to the local Planet Fitness at least 3 times each week. With a little more effort I can be in the best shape of my life at my next milestone birthday. I really like the local Planet Fitness; check them out here. https://www.planetfitness.com/

Sewing

In 2017, since the beginning of this blog last May, I have done more sewing than in the past five or so years combined, and it's been fun to get back into it, refreshing my skills. In the new year I plan to keep up the pace, using more of the fabric on my stash (and working in a few newbies) and searching the internet for new and interesting projects or products to share with you. I'll also continue to participate in the Quilts of Valor program at work, making quilts for veterans.

Whatever goals (or resolutions) you may develop for 2018, I wish you health and happiness, and hope you'll continue to join me here.

Until next time, keep those sewing machines humming, and have a happy and healthy 2018!

DTFM

danthefabricman@yahoo.com