May all your troubles last as long as your New Yearβs resolutions!
β Joey Adams (American comedian)
Ahh new year resolutions. Something we make at the start of every new year earnestly but seldom do we follow it through. No? Oh just me then π
This year forward, there will be no new year resolutions for me. There’ll be no more “do or die” statements to make because I can only feel guilty about not meeting my resolutions at all for so long. This time, it’s about hope.
In 2013, I hope to:
Consume less dairy
I’ve actually started this in 2012 and hope to follow it through to as long as I can. It makes me feel less bloaty and reduces motion sickness especially when I’m on the train. I switched to soy milk for my coffees a few months ago and I think they just taste better anyway (even if I have to pay at least 40 cents more for my coffees. Boo!). Cheese is still my downfall so I’m hoping to consume less of it this year. I can’t skip cheesecakes for a whole year just yet. That’s like asking me to cut my right arm off.
Eat less sugar
Very few people know this but I have a strong family history of diabetes. My late paternal grandfather had diabetes, my dad was diagnosed a pre-diabetic a couple of years ago and a cousin of mine was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in his early 20s. My dad changed his lifestyle drastically by cutting out all sugar and most carbohydrates from his diet. Many thought it was a very drastic move because his weight dropped significantly (he became half his size at one point; my dad was quite big man). Yet the change in diet reflected very much in his health and he’s no longer in the danger zone. In fact, he’s probably healthier than I am.
I haven’t done a blood glucose test in a long time, which is something I must rectify at once (appointment is made for next week). I haven’t been feeling my best for a while now and although I don’t even want to think I might have diabetes, it’s not something I can discount altogether. So this year, I’m hoping to cut down on my sugar and carbohydrate intake, and focus more on fibre and protein. Like dairy, I’m not quitting sugar altogether. I still need my sweet treats every now and then. π
Not exercise any less
I bet exercising more tops almost everyone’s new year resolutions. I include this at the top of my resolutions at the start of each new year and it’s usually the one that doesn’t get done. So this year, I resolve not to exercise any less. Good enough. π
Bake more
Over the years, I’m proud to say that my cooking skills have come a long way from just Indomie Mee Goreng, fried rice, grilled frozen chicken nuggets and scrambled eggs. It’s not exceptionally good, but it isn’t too bad anymore. But the one thing that I can’t seem to get right is bake a damn cake that doesn’t come from a box. No really. I can’t even do a simple butter cake correctly. Mum taught me countless times and I still managed to get it wrong.
So this year, I’m hoping to get more cakes out of that oven than just meat and potatoes. I’d love to try my hand at flourless cakes. I love the texture and I always feel slightly healthier (read: less guilty) eating them. Plus, if I bake more, I get to control the amount of sugar I allow into the cakes, which is a better option to the heavily-sugared treats in shops.
Weed out the negative and focus on the positive
This is something I started doing late 2012. It has come to a point in my life where I wonder why I’m still keeping toxic people around me or having to read poison on social media on a frequent basis. Culling Facebook ‘friends’ and muting/unfollowing tweets were great moves to begin with. Removing myself from activities that don’t interest me is another.
For years I used to feel really guilty for not keeping in touch with friends, not even on Facebook. I had a lightbulb moment at the start of the new year. I finally realised that keeping in touch is a 2-way street. If a friend doesn’t make an effort to keep in touch as well, then why is the blame on me? Does anyone feel the same about this?
Weed, weed, weed. Out with the negative, focus on the positive.
Start a family
I had this pegged for 2012. Well, it’s been a year and nothing happened. To say I’m frustrated is an understatement. Anyway, I’m keeping my fingers crossed for 2013. Keep yours crossed for us too, eh? π
That’s what I’m hoping for 2013. No resolutions. No guilt.
What are your hopes for 2013?
I would love it that you’ll be baking more *drives over and parks ass on couch* π π π
For 2013, I’m hoping Coco will mellow down and I won’t have so many scratches on my limbs. Yea, right! π
But, honestly, I’d like to eat a little healthier. No more than once of fast food in a month π
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Oooh I forgot to add that in too. Less fast food. Ooops. As for the cakes, come on over. I’ll make you BANANA cake. Hah! π
In time as Coco grows, I think she will. She’s growing up so beautifully, even with the bruises and scratches she leaves behind π
mine is simple – i hope i can run 3km non stop by end of the year!
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That’s awesome! 3km non-stop is like climbing Mt Everest for me (in fact, 1km is already Kinabalu), so I’m definitely cheering you on for this one. Good luck! π
I had exercise on my new year’s resolution too, had a slacker of a year in 2012. Good luck with your resolutions especially with starting a family!
kerker recently posted..New Year’s Resolutions
Thanks Kerri! Looking forward to new things for your blog π xx
An excellent list of hopes! I like the idea of making them that, rather than resolutions. I too have a bad relationship with dairy, I love it so, but it doesn’t love me back lol! And as for the weeding, good for you!! Getting over the guilt and cutting out the negative will only bring good things π
Happy new year, here’s to ALL your hopes coming true
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Thanks Kaye! Exactly what I thought about cutting out the negatives in my life. It’s up to us to allow the things into our lives and I’m always guilty of allowing the nonsense to come in because of the silly guilt I have if I don’t. So 2013, no more! Out you go, bad stuff!
Have a great new year, Kaye, and hope all your hopes come true as well π xx
Seems like leading a healthier lifestyle is on many people’s resolution this year! π All the best for yours ya! *sprinkles baby dust for you* π
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Hehehe *breathes in the baby dust, choke a little, spit it out, breathe in some more*
Thanks Jenn! Have a great 2013 xx
hm, less dairy less sugar more exercise & more positive thoughts are what i want to do this year too! well i always want to do it every year but never seem to do it well.
and i wanna be more illustrative and draw more! simple stuff for the journal and I am making the tapes the #evurl girls gave me for good use! π
and uh… read more too. i have been reading way too many fashion/ beauty mags i am lagging behind the more “intellectual” stuff.
plue recently posted..Goodbye 2012, Hello 2013!
Haha washi tapes? I bought a few in Japan but don’t really know what to do with them. Suggestions please π
I think the less dairy thing comes with age. You’re still young, so dairy up! HAH! π
you can use them for gift wraps, little notes in your journal/ diary/ calendar, bookmarks, decorate your jars or handles or anything you like. you can even do it on your phone/ tablet casing! basically personalized your stuff stuff π
not that young anymore, body’s changing, what used to awesome no longer is lol!
plue recently posted..Goodbye 2012, Hello 2013!
Love this and I love your resolutions, so much easier to meet I would have to say.
danniiloves.wordpress.com
<3 Dannii x
Dannii recently posted..New year resolutions
Thanks Dannii! Yeah, nothing too difficult to achieve, hee hee.
Happy new year! x
I’ve cut out a lot of dairy from my diet and I have to say it makes me feel so much more comfortable! I hope that all your hopes this year are achieved, especially that last one π
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That’s good! I’ve heard that reducing consumption of dairy helps a lot in reducing bloatiness. I’ve been consuming a lot more soy milk than I do regular milk and when I do, I don’t get motion sickness on the train like I do everytime I have regular coffee. Plus I’m not that, er, gassy. Sei lor. You reckon it’s an age thing? π π π
Hey good one Tine! Happy New Year to you! I like the “Thereβll be no more βdo or dieβ statements to make…”. I concur all except the bake more and start a family part. I’d like to pick up baking but without a house of my own and the kitchen is too Hokkien to do anything π I think in 2013, I want to start living for myself and be a better and healthier person physically and emotionally. Perhaps work out, blog again, dress up, look good, change my hairstyle and be less a Mother Dragon at work. I can’t measure all these though…but perhaps keeping a jar of Happiness where I drop a note whenever I feel happy is a good start.
Happy New Year, Jennifer! That jar of happiness idea is an excellent one. I wanna do that one too. Great to look back on all the good things and focus on that instead of any negative ones (touch wood!) that may happen π
Happy new year Tine! π I like the way you have approached this. For me this year I have decided to step back to values rather than form resolutions as such. It’s not any easier but it means I take things day by day – am I living in line with who I want to be and what I want for myself in terms of health, mental stimluation and spiritual growth, or not?
All the best with starting a family – it would be so cool to read about your experiences of pregnancy and children! (I don’t dislike children but am terrified of actually giving birth so do not have any kids as yet!)
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Thanks Sarah. To be honest, I’ll probably tell you that being pregnant feels like there’s an alien inside of me moving around rather than the glowy stuff. But you never know! Here’s hoping I get to tell you that this year π
Lol! π yes I hope you do get to tell us all about the “alien” this year! π
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Happy New Year, Tine! May you have a fruitful year (with regards to those resolutions!) Here’s to another good year of blogging for Beautyholics Anonymous too! <3
Grace-melody Moo recently posted..Shallow Hal
Thanks Grace. Happy new year to you too and may you have a great 2013 xx
Happy New Year! Cutting out dairy could be the answer to all my skin problems, but I also have a weakness for cheesecake.
Looking forward to good news, re: last resolution!! π
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Happy new year, Joyce! I’m looking forward to reading about your bub #3 π <3
Happy new year to you! Good list of hope there and I wish you will be able to realise all of them especially the baby one!
I hope my son will grow up healthy and sleep well this year, do more reading about parenting , be more out and about, get my driving license so that I can be out and about, eat healthily and be more organised at home. Not sure if I can get a part time job this year, but hope so when I send my little one to childcare later in the year!
Happy new year, Eunice! Yep keeping my fingers crossed about the last hope I wrote about. All the best to you too, and may you have a great and fruitful 2013 π
Less dairy and less carbs are on the list for me – those two are my downfall! As for the last item, here’s keeping my fingers (and toes, and eyes!) crossed for you. And yes, shall join you in inciting serious bodily harm if a certain someone invades your space with unwanted physical contact this year (you know who I’m talking about) π Here’s to an epic 2013!
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Hahaha yes please! I’m sharpening my elbows and my tongue for the trip, I tell ya. You never know what might happen π
2013 is going to be one heck of a year for you. I’m so looking forward to it! π
Consider my fingers crossed for you lovely!
I love the less dairy thing – I went from full to skim milk last year and now find that full cream makes me feel bad later so next step is almond milk or soy.
Also, focussing on the positive sounds like a great idea. I’m trying so hard not to be a downer on everything when nothing seems great – life is looking up and it’s a new year!
Love reading x
Aww thank you! Almond milk is delicious and so is soy. I love soy milk in my coffees now (not many people agree but I still think it tastes better). It’s not so, er, milky and it feels better in the stomach. Be careful of the sugar content when buying your almond/soy milk though. Some have a lot of sugar. I once had rice milk, which tasted fantastic, until I saw the amount of sugar in it. Well, no wonder it tasted that good. I stopped buying it from then on.
Thanks so much for reading in 2012 and looking forward to more of you here in 2013! xx
loved reading the post Tine π all the best for the family planning π and, don’t worry…the health would be good again π and, the exercise no less is a great idea….yup its on my list as well and being healthy is on my list π and go ahead with baking and post more and more snaps π
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Here’s to our health in 2013! *clink glasses* π
Here’s to a fantastic 2013, fertile vibes your way!!!
HAHAHAHAHAHA! Jade your comment just made my day. HAHAHAHAHAH! Send those fertile vibes my way!! π