Anne Tyler Lord

The Writer’s Life: #WriterlbsOff- New Year Resolutions for Writers

The Writer’s Life – #WriterlbsOff in 2010

Have you had too much BIC (Butt in Chair) time in 2009?  Well, that is great for the novel, but bad for the Butt.

Several of my lovely followers on Twitter are already thinking about New Year’s resolutions and the first one to emerge is getting the pounds off.*  I am beginning my regular series called, The Writer’s Life.  So, what better way to begin than to organize an opportunity for writers to join together on Twitter to improve their lives.  Let’s form, yet another, wonderful hashtag (#) to connect with each other!

We will christen the new hashtag  #WriterlbsOff   *crash champagne bottle on the hull*

It is time for New Year’s resolutions and we want all the writers on Twitter to join together to improve their health and happiness quotient.  We think first of all of the extra pounds we want to lose, and that is an admirable goal, but let’s go further to think of additional goals to enhance your overall health, joy and creativity in your writer’s life.

Here are my ideas for goals you can create (feel free to add your own, whatever it is):

1.  Weight Loss – How many pounds do you hope to lose this year?

2.  Exercise – What are you exercise goals?

3. Nutrition – What are your better eating goals?

4. Health Challenges – Do you have health challenges to manage?  What will help you make progress this year?

5.  Stress Reduction – What can you do to reduce the stress in your life?  How can you give yourself more relaxation?

6.  Life Enhancement – What can you do this year to inject your life with more joy and passion?

7.  Creativity – What do you want to do this year to spark your creativity and ignite your fire?

Commit Yourself

No, I don’t mean to an insane asylum after giving up.  I mean commit yourself for four months (January 4 to April 30,2010) to join in the cause to live a more passionate, joyful, creative, energetic Writer’s Life!

Here is How:

1.   Sign in to the comments below and commit to join the ranks of Writer’s Extradinare who want it all – the novel, the book deal, fame, fortune, and to be happy and healthy along the way!  But, isn’t our health and happiness the most important? Come on, you know it is!

2.   Let us know what goals you have in mind to transform your life this year or what challenges you are trying to overcome.  And, if you aren’t sure yet, just join in and set a few general goals. I will be writing articles to give you ideas for Stress Reduction, Life Enhancement and Creativity as time goes by.

3.   Use the #WriterlbsOff to connect with each other.

FRIDAY REPORTS:  Friday will be our official time to report your progress and successes (anytime on Friday).

In addition, you are invited to post any day, at any time for support and chatting.

We will continue this support group for four months (January 4 to April 30, 2010).

4.   Most of all, have fun, support each other, and together we can make this an amazingly productive year – writing, creating, living more passionately, improving our health and experiencing more of the wonderful community connection that Twitter has given us all!!!

*Thanks to the idea from Julie (@Okami0731) of forming a club to lose lbs when several of us were lamenting our desperate need on Twitter.

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67 responses to “The Writer’s Life: #WriterlbsOff- New Year Resolutions for Writers”

  1. The Writer’s Life: Friday Check-In & War in Resolution Galaxy | Don't Fence Me In

    […] us on Twitter, just introduce yourself and the goals you want to work on in the comments below.  Here is how it all started. Share […]

  2. Pauline

    Hello! I’m so glad to have found this and what a great idea! I’m working on a memoir about losing the baby weight (she’s 2.5, so I’m a bit behind on the game plan).
    I’ve got a million health issues that make it harder to lose weight, but my biggest struggle is I tend to let myself believe that my medical issues are stronger than my willpower and determination.
    I’m not settling on a specific number because anything south of where I am now would be golden, but I’d like to see 19 pounds gone. I’ll take whatever happens though.
    😉

    1. Anne Tyler Lord

      Hi Pauline,

      We are so glad to have you join us! You’re not alone with having medical issues, several of us are also dealing with health challenges. And, everyone can work on writing and creativity goals even at the times we need to rest our body.

      Welcome!!

  3. Deb

    Hi Anne et al,

    I look forward to joining you all in the battle of the bulge! I have a four month goal of 15 lbs. I want to exercise more, eat healthier and just make better food choices all around.

    I’m using an Android App to track my calories and exercise that is tied to this website http://www.fatsecret.com. So far, it’s working out. I was even able to keep a handle on my eating while traveling for business using this app (a VERY hard thing to do).

    See you all on twitter (I’m @debs1).

    1. Anne Tyler Lord

      Deb,

      We are glad to have you along for our 4 month journey. Android App? Are you sure you are not part of the Homeostasis (STASIS) Republic infiltrating our Evolution (EVOLVE) Empire? Just kidding. If you wonder what the heck I am talking about, you can see my post from last week titled, War in Resolution Galaxy.

      Look forward to tweets on Twitter!

  4. John Wiswell

    Please everyone be careful about your weight loss! Planning what you eat and losing the weight gradually is much better for you. I stupidly went full bore into diet and exercise, and though I lost a lot of weight, gave myself gallstones. You can seriously mess up your body by changing it too quickly.

    I had a series of health issues in the second half of 2009. Now I’m close to normal, at least by my standards, and have weight to lose. I have thirty pounds I’d like to shed over the next year or so. That’s not too much and I can build on that weightloss in 2011 if it feels right.

    To do so, I have a few plans. Starting tomorrow I’m going to weigh myself every day that I get up. Having to see that chart every day has a serious psychological effect, especially if I slipped and my weight has started going back up.

    Every two days I intend to go out for a walk. Walks are low-calorie-burn exercises, but they’re as intense as I can muster right now. The big thing is to get uphill work, do it regularly, and increase the length of time I’m out over the weeks.

    I was already on a special diet due to surgery. Now I’m bringing old foods back, but I’m conscious to only make one rich meal a day if I eat one. Only one soda a day if I have one. Grilled chicken rather than other meats when possible. I know certain foods, like bread, put a lot of weight on me, and I’ll likewise limit their inclusion. I’m looking into produce again. Cucumbers couldn’t hurt.

    Best wishes on the march to health, everyone. Please pace yourselves! It’s easier to sustain and easier on your body.

    1. Anne

      Hi John,

      Thanks for joining our #writerlbsOff group! You have some very reasonable goals. And, it looks like you are also conscious of the need to go slow to make long lasting changes and be easy on the body.

      Good luck and join in the other posts and the #writerlbsOff discussion on Twitter!

    2. Deanna Schrayer

      Welcome John! It’s great to hear you’re feeling better after that horrible bout at year end. As Anne said, it sounds like you’re off to a great start to feeling even better.
      Something I’d like to share, and I’m pretty sure Dr. Oz talks about this, but I’m not sure where – maybe Anne knows. It’s better to measure your waist instead of step on the scales. There is a formula for waist measurement as compared to height, but I can’t recall what it is at the moment. The reason for this is that it’s a much more realistic goal, (to decrease waist size than weight), and we have to keep in mind that muscle weighs more than fat. Therefore, as we increase our activity through exercise it’s possible we might actually gain weight. When we step on the scales and see this it can be a real downer because we think we’re not doing well when in fact we are. I hope that makes sense. I suggest looking at Dr. Oz’s site to get more specific detail and understand it better.
      Good luck to you! I’m rooting for you!

      1. Anne

        Deanna,

        I agree! As you know, I am a big Dr. Oz fan, too.

        Here is a reference to waist size measurement – should be half (or less) than your height:

        http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/dr-ozs-ultimate-health-checklist-0?page=5

        Here is his recommendation on the best way to track weight loss:

        http://ask.doctoroz.com/question/track-weight-loss

        Good luck to everyone on their health, happiness, and creativity goals!

  5. Deanna Schrayer

    Hey ya’ll – I just posted a blog at The Life of a Working Writer Mommy with a link to an article by Dr. Oz in USA Weekend telling us that eating is a good thing! Check it out: http://writingwonder.wordpress.com/2010/01/03/rambling-a-bit-before-heading-back-to-work/
    Anne, I don’t normally post links in comments, but I felt this article definitely applies to all of us as we work to make our lives healthier. I hope you don’t mind. If it’s not okay of course you can always delete it.
    Thank you again for starting this wonderful community!

    1. Anne

      Deanna,

      I think that resource is great! And, I agree! Thanks for posting it! I LOVE Dr. Oz and follow his show and recommendations often! It is a very timely article that goes along with the message of my post tomorrow! Good post!

  6. Louise Dragon

    Twitter led me to this group and I’m all about improvement and goals . . . I would like to join you.

    1. I need to lose weight . . . anyhow, anyway, and any amount, just so long as it leaves my body. My clothing is tight and uncomfortable and I need to improve this pronto.
    2. I need to exercise! Maine winters are long and confining. The snow drifts make even dog walking dangerous. I plan to lift weights and work on strength training until I can get out there walking my dog again. I need to to keep my poor arthritic joints more mobile so that when I return to the work force I will be able to keep up with new job demands.
    3. Writing — it’s my sanity. I plan to keep up with my fiction blog (including a weekly #fridayflash), continue with my novel in progress, and create a cooking blog for my family, facebook fans and ex-students who keep bugging me for recipes from my past.
    4. I need to find a new job in a tough econmy. I work on this every day.

    All for now . . . these will keep me busy until I find a new job . . . then the scramble will begin anew.
    I’ll check back next Friday.

    1. Anne

      Welcome Louise,

      We are so glad you are joining us! Great goals!

      I am in Minne-snow-ta, so I have the long cold winters, too. It is so hard to get out! We have piles of snow right now and the temps are going into the single digits.

      It looks like a few of us want to get the recipes down for family and friends! We look forward to seeing your cooking blog also!

      Good luck finding a job, this economy is making it difficult for so many of us, me included. Maybe we both will be working by this time next year, fingers crossed.

      1. Candice

        Just to let you all know, in my day-job, I am an IT recruiter. I’m not sure what you guys do (or are looking for) as day jobs, but if any of you are in the IT arena, I would be happy to help you with finding a position. I know the economy is tough, but we are still getting jobs, and IT is always in high demand. We have offices all over the country, so I can help you no matter where you are! Just wanted to put that out there for those of you who are looking.

        Also, I’m all about the stretching and walking! It will really help my knees to do that every day. Baby steps!

        1. Anne

          Candice,

          That is so kind of you to offer your services to the group! Thanks!

          And, thanks for joining the baby steps group! Reminds me of the movie with Bill Murray – What About Bob – cracks me up!
          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsUaQUW-Az0&feature=related

        2. Deanna Schrayer

          Hey Candice, I work in IT, but not as an IT person. I’m the Administrative Assistant for our group, at a clinical research organization. Being the only woman, and having a ruthless reputation, I’m most often referred to as the “geek babysitter”, which pretty much describes my position to a tee. I have to remind those boys what to do all the time! Though I have many tasks, my main job is to manage our maintenance contracts, subscriptions, and licensing. Yes, it’s quite challenging, but for the most part I enjoy my job. I’m fortunate enough that I get to work from home 4 out of 5 days, but that does give me too much freedom to work without interruption, which means I sit for entirely too long at a time without moving. I have fibromyalgia, so this doesn’t help a bit of course. Part of my resolution (for my health) is to set a calendar reminder to force me to get up and stretch at least every 45 minutes or so. I think the biggest challenge for me will be to actually get up and not turn off the reminder thinking “I’m really busy with what I’m working on right now.” If I feel the need to do this I’ll stop by here and talk to ya’ll.
          Good luck to us!

  7. Deanna Schrayer

    Me again! As much as I wrote in that last comment, there’s something else I wanted to say. With losing weight being a lot of people’s main goal, I’d like to offer this tidbit that I learned when studying to be a nutritionist, (I know several of you find that shocking, but I did once want to be a nutritionist). As long as you have no medical reason to be on a specific diet, it’s always best to eat 5 – 6 small meals a day, rather than 2 – 3 large meals. Not only is it healthier, but it’ll help you to feel “full”, easing the urge to gorge when the clock strikes dinnertime. Gorging like that will only cause your body to work overtime in creating more fat to keep working on getting rid of the fat. I’m not sure if that makes sense, the way I said it, but I hope someone who needs to hear it understands what I mean.
    Here’s to a bright, and healthy new year!

    1. Anne

      Thanks Deanna,

      It definitely makes sense, and it is how I have to eat – I get the low blood sugar thing too!

      As you will soon find out, I am all about nurturing, nourishing and fulfillment rather than deprivation and starvation. You are right about the gorging, and starvation (or too much hunger) only makes your body’s metabolism slow down, which we REALLY don’t want! I think the old dieting methods need to go out with the 80s. Thanks for the info, and it looks like we will be relying on you for advice from time to time!

  8. Deanna Schrayer

    Anne, I love this idea, and thank you very much for leading us in a positive step forward to make ourselves healthier overall.
    As you know, I have fibromyalgia too, which puts extreme limits on exercising. However, I know I can do better. I also have low blood sugar, and sometimes have to “rush” to get a glass of OJ to stop the trembling. I could control this if I just got up out of my chair, grabbed a healthy snack and walked a bit. I have a very stressful job, so that doesn’t help – I need to work on controlling that stress better. I also need to not put so many demands on myself, (which is sort of a contradictory statement considering I just started a third website). 🙂
    At the risk of having everyone hate me, I’ll spill: I’m getting close to being underweight. It isn’t because I don’t eat – I eat ALOT! There’s something going on with my body that’s causing it to produce extra red blood cells. My doctor is trying to determine what’s going on, and she feels whatever it is is contributing to my weight loss. I just know, if i’d lay off the diet Dr. Peppers and eat more fruits and veggies, I’d start improving. All I need to do is say I’m going to do it. I’m fortunate in that I’ve always been able to achieve my goals, (for the most part anyway), simply by telling myself “I’m going to do it”. I just need to say that and get started.
    I would like to try to build light exercise into my daily routine. I work from home and that makes it all too easy to sit for hours on end, working away without interruption, forgetting to get up and stretch. So, here goes nothing – I WILL walk every day, starting slowly at first and building the distance as I’m able.
    Whew! That took a lot of nerve! 🙂
    I also want to allow myself to enjoy my creative side more. I feel like I’ve been a bit too strict on myself lately, wanting to make everything I write perfect, which, naturally, is only leading to crappy writing. I WILL allow myself to relax and enjoy the process of writing, and stop worrying so much about the end result.
    Wow, I’ve about written a whole post myself! I’ll stop now. Thanks so much Anne for your friendship, and for pointing us all in the right direction!

    1. Anne

      Deanna,

      Those are great goals! And, I will be joining you on the stretching and walking habit changes from too much sitting at the computer. Time just seems to fly by and then you get up to stiff legs, and stiff everything. Fibromyalgia is very tricky, such a small margin of error between not doing enough and doing too much!

      I’m glad to see you want to play more with your creative side, seriousness can sometimes turn off our right brain, which is what we need to be creative!

      Don’t feel bad about anything you want to promote in your cookbook for our group. All recipes can be altered if anyone wants them lower calorie. I just love family recipes with stories behind them. I have been trying to get a recipe book done for my kids with all the backstories. Many recipes are healthy everyday foods, some are old family recipes, some are holiday/guest/special occasion. We need all of it. And, we can enjoy great writing, even if it makes us hungry.

      I love Dr. Pepper, too, but haven’t had it for years because I can’t tolerate caffeine, or artificial sweeteners in diet drinks. Guess I will have to get the Dr. Pepper lip balm. I actually owned one in 6th grade.

  9. Forum: Reach Your Goals « Girl Meets Word

    […] They are supporting all writerly type goals and lifestyle changes writers want to make. Check out New Year Resolutions for Writers for all the […]

  10. Candice (@cheshirescribe on Twitter)

    I am so excited that I found this wonderful group! I have so much in common with you based on the posts above, and it will be wonderful to have a great group for support and accountability to help me reach my goals for 2010!

    My two main resolutions are to lose 50 pounds and finish writing my very first novel that I started about 4 years ago. It will take a lot of focus and motivation, but I’m sure that connecting with others who have the same goals will help tremendously!

    The challenges that I face are chronic pain (like Anne), especially in my knees (I have a torn ACL in one and a degenerative muscle condition in the other), which makes it very difficult to exercise. The goal I’ve made is to ride my exercise bike for 30 minutes in the morning, really more for physical therapy for my knees, and then to walk for 30 minutes in the evening after dinner. Those two things combined will give me 1 hour of exercise every day.

    I also really need to start eating better. I found a diet called Fat Loss 4 Idiots online, and after researching it, it really looks like it works. I’ll keep you guys informed of my progress and let you know if it’s worth it!

    Reducing the massive amount of stress in my life is also a major factor for me. I work a very demanding, high stress, 12 hour per day job, which really doesn’t leave much time for anything else – thus, the reason why I’ve been working on this novel for 4 years and why I’ve gained weight. I really need to MAKE the time to write, to exercise, to meditate, and to have fun! I think meditation and reducing stress will also help my creativity to flow more easily.

    I know that I have set a high bar for myself, and writing it all down just makes it seem that much more intimidating. Having such a great group for support to help me stay motivated and really hold me accountable will be awesome! I’m really looking forward to getting to know everyone.

    Happy new year! Enjoy your last night of junk food!

    1. Anne

      Candice,

      We are so happy to have you join us on our quest to transform our habits! Yes, you do have lots in common with many of us. You have a big challenge if you are working 12 hours a day! I am exhausted just thinking about that. But good for you for still writing though it. Slow and steady wins the race!

      We will all work hard to keep our motivation up!

      Happy New Year and good luck on the goals! Now get over to the Blue Moon New Year’s Eve party and have some fun! I will add you to the party if you say something for me to overhear;))

  11. Betsy Cañas Garmon

    For the past three years, I have started out the year with a fast. I’ll do the same this year. Some of my goals will be met naturally via this process – including but not limited to:

    1. slight weight loss {last yr. I lost 12lbs.}
    2. daily journaling
    3. reducing sugar & white flour intake

    The challenge for me will come with re-entry to “real life”in 40 days. At that point keeping regular exercise in {I only do light yoga while fasting} and keeping sugar & white flour out will be the new focus. Along with the following:

    * daily doses of creating
    * more slow & local food
    * & continued balance

    Glad to be here. As an introvert, I tend to be quite serious and intense with myself about weight, ill-fitting clothes and missed exercise sessions. I hope that community will help me “lighten up”. {In more ways that one. :-P}

    1. Anne

      Betsy,

      All introverts are welcome here! I am one myself. I join you on the “reducing sugar and white flour intake.” And, I have been on a similar quest in integrate more “slow and local” foods. It is so nourishing and healthy – it really helps the immune system, too! Good luck on your goals, and take it easy during your fast.

      And, I will tell you, this group can really “lighten up” the most serious of us! Just wait and see ;))

  12. Sam

    Aw, alright then, you’ve talked me into it! 😉

    Only thing I’d like to improve for 2010 is to write more, to let my creativity flow and just go with it. Oh, and to write more #fridayflash.

    Yeah, I think that’ll do for now. 🙂

    1. Anne

      Sam,

      I’m so happy we talked you into joining us. You will have to tell us sometime why resolutions are not your “thing.”

      But we are very glad that having fun with us is your “thing.”

      Welcome and Happy New Year!

  13. CafeNirvana

    Hi Anne,

    Before anything, I must say, your website is beautiful (Red is my favourite colour). Extremely well done indeed!

    #WriterlbsOff in 2010 – this is a great idea. I don’t consider the following as resolutions, for I somehow feel my life changes so dramatically, it’s hard for me to keep any promises.

    Right now, I seem to be living my life on a day to day basis, taking each day one at a time, I’d like that to change to encompass maybe 6 months, and then more into the future, so I am working towards that.

    Health is definitely on the list. I need to put on weight [#WriterlbsOn? :)] not lose, as ill health has made me lose my appetite and a lot of weight too. I need to improve my stamina. Get back to regular working out and possibly work towards a six pack. (I hope).

    Reignite and follow my passions. The essential one being writing, of course. More that the actual sitting down and writing part, I need to work on keeping myself motivated and constantly inspired. Not get bogged down by trivial, external issues. Once that is sorted, writing will get much easier.

    That’s it, I suppose, we’ll see how things go, all baby steps now 🙂

    Good luck to everyone!

    1. Anne

      Nishi,
      How wonderful to have you along on the journey with us!

      Although the hashtag implies weight loss, I hope it will mean so much more for everyone as we work together to transform our lives. You have wonderful goals set, you know where you are going, don’t worry about promises at this point. We can be in the baby steps category together in terms of health dilemmas to work through. And, who knows, maybe we will both be able to re-engage our professions to some extent next year in addition to our writing careers! You’ve made such a big step with your 12 days of Christmas story. One day at a time, we will work together!

      Glad you like the website! Red is my favorite color, too. It was the main requirement in picking out a theme.

      1. CafeNirvana

        Thanks 🙂 Yes to the professional part too, didn’t want to bring that up here, but I am concentrating on that right now. That’s why I am less on twitter and scarce on the chats!

        I am glad I found you on the way and that we’re in this together now. It is good.

  14. techtigger

    oh dear, this is definately the hashtag for me! Combination of deskjob and writing has expanded my horizons in ways I had never planned (i say, as I pat my well-padded hips. sigh.)

    Goal is to get up a little earlier, spend 30 minutes working out each day. And to improve eating habits, need more fruits and such. Planning to bring in healthier snacks to office – no more hitting the vending machine!

    1. Anne

      Angie,

      I’m so glad you are joining all of us! We need all the support we can get. We may have to call on Nox or Grimm for some help, that is if they will really help us.

      Good luck on your goals!

  15. Shon Bacon

    Definitely want to jump in on this!

    Don’t plan to have “resolutions” per se for 2010, but there are some things I’ve done well or let go off in ’09 that I want to look into for the new year.

    1&2- I started a doctoral program in August, and needless to say, the way I eat and the amount of time I devote to exercising has gone kaput. In the ’10, I plan to start exercising again, starting with 3 times a week. Want to cut back on sweets and fast food joints, too.

    3- I have high cholesterol and have been pitiful when it comes to taking my meds and watching what I eat. This has GOT to change. I know I’m only damaging myself.

    Stress Reduction, Life Enhancement, and Creativity all swirl up into one thing for me: writing. Since starting the doctoral program, my creativity has pretty much died. I did NaNoWriMo this year JUST to try to start THINKING creatively, and though I finished NaNo, the creativity still didn’t come back like I had hoped. I plan to do something called Weekend Write in the ’10, where one weekend a month, I go to a hotel or stay home with phones off and just writing and blog about what I’m writing. I hope to write more throughout the week, too. Writing is a huge part of my life, and I have to learn to find a place for it and rejuvenate my creativity.

    Shon
    http://twitter.com/chicklitgurrl

    1. Anne

      Shon,

      Very good goals! You have a lot on your plate right now (no pun intended). A PhD program can absorb your life and suck you into a black hole – I disappeared into one in the past and haven’t really been seen since. I am amazed you did NaNo in the midst of it! Your devotion to so many projects will serve you well here!

  16. Cynthia Schuerr

    Oh Anne, I need this so much. What a wonderful idea to make it a group affair.
    I plan to blog my goals tomorrow morning at http://www.theheartofwriting.blogspot.com.
    Definitely, count me in with the #writerlbsoff group.

    1. Anne

      Cynthia,

      So glad you will come on in for the fun and excitement. We will check out your goals on your blog tomorrow!

  17. Marwa

    Hi Anne,

    I’m definitely in! I was just debating with myself whether or not to make new year resolutions this year, and reading about this #writerslboff initiative tipped the scales (no pun intended) to the resolution making side. I even resolved to start and keep a blog in order to track how far I was going in my writing goals and my resolutions as well.

    2010 resolutions (the list):

    1. Write. Daily. No less than 500 words (for now). Or else. (OK, I can have Friday off)

    2. Exercise for 30 minutes 5 times a week. Or else.

    For more, check out my first blog post.

    Deep breath.

    1. Anne

      Marwa,

      Thanks for joining! You have reasonable goals set! Let us know when your blog post is up.

      And, your last one is the most important – Deep Breath!!

  18. Maggie Rowe

    I have so much in common with you all… Thanks, Marisa, for the link. More later…

    1. Anne

      Maggie,

      Welcome and so glad to have you join!

      Thanks Marisa for the promotion for more group members. We will have so much fun with more people!

  19. mazzz_in_Leeds

    Ah, count me in for #writerlbsOf, from 4th Jan!

    I need to lose 20lbs to get back to where I was prior to giving up smoking (I miss nicotine in more ways than one…) and then another 10 to get to where I _want_ to be…

    I will be hitting the gym of course – I recently discovered that it is possible to read on a treadmill while walking at 3.5 mph up a 20% incline, so that should make cardio more bearable. I’m going to start weight training again as that is, funnily enough, the best exercise for calorie burn.

    Diet-wise: I’m going to go very low-cal, low-carb.
    Boiled chicken for lunch, mmmmmm. Bleurgh. Boring, but it works, and more importantly it works _fast_!

    Good luck everyone! although of course it’s nothing to do with luck, so, er, Good Willpower, everyone!

    1. Anne

      Maria,

      Wow! You sound like you are going at this challenge with gusto! I admire your devotion to get it done! I like that you figured out the perfect speed and incline to still be able to read on the treadmill! Good luck with your ambitious goals!

      1. mazzz_in_Leeds

        In the meantime, of course, I shall keep indulging in red wine, beer and salty snacks 🙂

        1. Anne

          I think we will all take a moment (or several) this week to enjoy our favorites and say good bye!

  20. PJ Kaiser

    OK, Anne – I love this idea and you can definitely count me in. I wrote a blog post detailing my resolutions: http://doublelattemama.com/?p=747

    As you can see in my post, one of my goals is to really prioritize my time and so you may not see me often participating in chats. But know that I am out there rooting for the group and I will be checking in now and then 🙂

    1. Anne

      PJ,

      I’m glad you are joining the cause! You have excellent goals written on your blog. Prioritizing our family is important. I was home with my kids for the last 8 years, including homeschooling for 3. They went to school for the first time, so I have a little more time to write. I’m amazed you have found the time to write and connect online. But, very glad you do. Good luck finding the right balance for you and your family.

  21. Oliva Tejeda

    Oh Anne, Have I mentioned today that I LOVE YOU!! This is a fabulous idea … sign me up!

    1. Anne

      Oliva,
      Yeah, happy to see that you are coming on board! Think of a few goals and lets have a great time!

  22. 2mara

    OK, OK… you twisted my arm!

    1.) I need to lose about 20 lbs.

    2.) I would like (like Tony) to be a perfect #FridayFlash attendant AND make time to write everyday.

    3.) I need to quit the diet cokes (I can’t believe I just typed that.. I love my soda)

    4.) be a better mother, wife, & friend

    I am sure there is a ton more crap I “need”/”want” too…

    <3
    ~2

    1. Anne

      Tomara,

      I hope we didn’t twist too much, we just want lots of fun people in our support group!

      You have good goals. I understand giving up the favorite drink. I need to get my coffee down to almost zero, because I add sugar and cream. Makes me quiver a little.

    2. Tony Noland

      2mara,

      Hey, diet soda pop has zero calories! I couldn’t give THOSE up!

      😉

      Tony

      1. 2mara

        Tony,

        I know zero calories, but there is a chance that I have tumors on my tumors…

  23. C.L. Dyck

    I did this before, then undid it over the past year. Very bad mistake. I’m in for the #writerlbsOff.

    Put me down for 40 minutes of daily exercise and getting back to the healthier diet I’ve managed to trash. Besides aiming for high-nutrition food choices, I also use calorie-watching to keep a happy medium, as I find it’s just as easy not to eat enough when I’m busy, then overdo it with nutritionless calories in reaction. Back to the health journaling to retrain myself…

    Cheers,
    Cat

    @lifeledlearning

    1. Anne

      Cat,
      Welcome to our challenge! I wish you luck in your goals! Here Kitty, Kitty – glad you like that!

      Anne

  24. Kelly Boyer Sagert

    Gosh . . . I’d like to lose 20 pounds and get back to exercising three to five times a week in the morning, as I did pre-October 2009.

    I need to continue to work on eating the best, most nutritious diet that I can within the parameters of what my Interstitial Cystitis disease allows me to eat.

    Returning to regular exercise tends to help significantly with stress, but I also want to return to stretching exercises in the evening and leaving enough time in the day for down time and for reading for pleasure time.

    Good question, re: injecting life with more joy and passion . . . I’ll need to think on that one. To spark creativity, I need to stop jamming my days with work and have-to-do items so that I can have the downtime I need to create.

    1. Anne

      Kelly,
      Come on in! It sounds like you have some great goals to work on!

      With any chronic condition, it can be tricky to strike a balance. We have lots of food allergies in the family, very tricky too.

      I like the idea of stretching and having down time to read for pleasure at night. May add that myself.

  25. ruthdemitroff

    Count me in! I had resolved to create a new list – not stuff that I’ve been resolving to do since 1970 – but this qualifies as new because of the writer’s component. For people who’ve been sitting forever, if you’re 50+, there’s always the option of exercising at a Senior’s Center. I also get too competitive but I don’t get injured when I’m competing with an over 80 energizer bunny type and each class here is two dollars or less.

    1. Anne

      Ruth,

      Welcome to the group! We’re glad to have you join! Your classes sound like a hoot! We always love to share pictures here!

  26. Marisa Birns

    Yes, I’m in, too! I used to walk 4 miles everyday and lift small weights. Then I joined Twitter and find myself sitting in chair and putting off exercise one more day.

    So goal is to walk again, while listening to music or thinking about stories.

    Then back to good eating habits. I tend to not eat all day and then stuff myself in the evening.

    You know, when we get interviewed after the success of our published works, we want to look great, right?

    So here’s to a healthy 2010, chums!

    1. Anne

      Marisa,

      Thanks for joining in!! Yes, this Twitter is making us sit too much, glued to our screens, not moving anything except our fingers. We have made so many great friends and it is so enlightening and fun. We will have to help each other get a balance!

      Here’s to being just as connected as ever in 2010, but getting up a little more often!

  27. Laura Eno

    I’m here…stuffing cookies in my mouth until Jan 4th. On the 4th I will admit that NONE of my clothes fit, but until then I seem to be ignoring that fact.

    I do think that it will be easier to eat better with a group of my friends looking over my shoulder and tsk tsking at my choices. 🙂

    1. Anne

      Laura,

      I’m happy to have you join us! Your wit and humor will help us laugh at ourselves and inspire us to keep going!

      Now have a little talk with the cookies and let them know you won’t be seeing them so often so they don’t miss you.

  28. Tony Noland

    I’ve got some hernia repair surgery to get through in the first part of 2010. Recovery from that will preclude exercise for a while. After that, though, I’ll work on flexibility, strength and aerobic capacity.

    I imagine I’ll feel less stressed when I’m not in pain all the time.

    I’ll try to talk less, listen more, and not take myself so seriously.

    I’d like to lose 20 pounds, but I’ll settle for 15.

    I want to have perfect attendance at FridayFlash.

    Finishing the revisions on the older of my two NaNoWriMo novels and writing more short stories will round out the “creativity” slot.

    1. Anne

      Tony,

      Glad to have you join in! Those are admirable goals. I just recovered from gallbladder surgery, so I hear ya on that one. Take it slower than you think you should. That’s my post-op advice.

      Good luck to you on your goals, your operation, and getting reduced pain! Life looks so much better without severe pain!

  29. Julie (Okami)

    Ok, well I’m not a writer but I am part of the Twitter group that starting discussing this and I also have a job that keeps me in my chair all day.

    Unfortunately, my busy season begins Feb 1 so this is not going to be easy, but then it never is. So I’m committing to the following goals:

    1. I want to lose at least 15 lbs so to do that:

    2. I commit to cutting out the sweets and unneccessary carbs that I consume

    3. Exercise is a big challenge, not because of any health issues but this time of the year time is minimal. Beginning February 1 I kick into 75 – 80 hour weeks. But I’m going to commit to starting a program in Jan and trying to keep at least part of it going through my season

    4. Stress, Creativity and Life Enhancement – exercise is an awesome stress reliever but I also want to continue with my art journal and photographer

    So there is my start – we’ll see how it goes.

    1. Anne

      Julie,

      So glad to have you on board! That is a heavy work-week! Tax season? Your art journal and photography sound like very enriching projects!

      Good luck to you! We will all need support on the sweets, I’m guessing!

  30. Anne

    I definitely should go first. I have weight to lose, any amount will do, the more the better. My weight has been the same for many years, I would just like any amount to agree to leave.

    I eat fairly healthy, but need to reduce the sweets that have crept in to my diet – chocolate after lunch, sometimes the afternoon – whipped cream in the coffee during the holidays that sometimes goes until February. And, reduce the carbs. I do better on a higher protein and high veggie diet.

    I am starting my blog and writing more fiction and poetry to increase my creativity. Twitter has helped immensely by increasing my commitment and connection to the writing world, but need to work out a better ratio between Twitter and writing time. Keeping up the Blog will be a challenge, too, as many of you know!

    I want to have more fun, playing with my kids, games, going outside more. I have this goal every year. I do well, but you can never have too much fun playing!

    I want to increase my meditation time to clear my mind, focus, and relax. It also helps greatly with increasing my creativity in writing.

    My biggest challenge is exercise. I have chronic pain conditions that keep me avoiding strenuous exercise. The trick, so I’ve been told, is to start REALLY slow, and do much less than I think I should. But, every time I try a new exercise routine, I do too much and get injured. I would rather try and do everything perfect all at once and make a lot of progress quickly. My biggest challenge is to have patience with very slow progress! Yuk! So, it is baby steps for me, but need to do it everyday – stretching, light-weightlifting and walking.

    Please join in! It will be a great time! I will also commit to managing the #WriterlbsOff and writing articles to keep you motivated each week!

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