famfriendsfood: Are You Ready for 2013?

It's almost the end of 2012, and as I'm looking back at the year there are a few things I really wanted to do... but, they just didn't happen. For one reason or another, I didn't stay focused beyond the first few months of the year.

Rather than wait for January 1st to set my goals for the coming year... I'm getting started now. No time like the present, right?

Some of my goals are blog oriented, while others are more about improving myself in one way or another.

Catching on blogging... A new post coming tonight!

As far as the blog goes, I am going to strive to posting 2-3 times a week. Yep, that is going to be hard at times, but I think I can do it since at one point I was posting nearly every single day back in the beginning. Rather than posting just because it's the schedule, I want to make sure I have something worthy of sharing... whether it be food or a family or lifestyle related post. I will primarily continue to post recipes, but I want to share more original recipes this year. I did more of that in 2012, and want to improve on that going forward.

I also want to continue to work on improving my photos... food and family photos. I've got a food photo book that I started reading, but haven't finished yet. I know that if I just break out my camera manual and begin playing with the different options, I can definitely create some fabulous photos. I've always loved the way photos tell a story, and that's what I'm shooting for in 2013.

Now, for the hardest goals to stick to... self improvement. Everyone can use a little improvement, right? I'm starting off 2013 a few pounds lighter than I started 2012, and I plan to continue the downward trend as the year progresses.

Eating healthy the majority of the time... I'm not perfect, so I'm not going to pretend that I can be 100% healthy... I do love my chocolate and other treats, but I will limit them so that they will be more special when I do indulge.

Exercise... yeah, this one I was off to a fabulous start last January all the way through most of March... then, I fizzled and just couldn't get my motivation back. I don't want to lose that motivation this year and having hit the treadmill the last 2 days, I know I'm headed in the right direction. To start, my goal is to exercise at least 5-6 days a week for a minimum of 45 minutes. I don't have to do it all at once, but I do have to do it. I feel better when I exercise regularly... and not so much when I don't. There is definitely some truth to just getting up and doing it.

Me time... another one that I've let slip. In a home surrounded by the male species can lead a girl to overlook things that she needs... like reconnecting with girlfriends for an evening. I haven't done as much of that in 2012, but I do have a girl's night out planned for later this week to kick this one off early for 2013. I'm also thinking we need to get a regularly scheduled date night in each month... not just me alone time, but also me alone with My Husband time!

Reading more books... I got my Kindle last year still love it. I read more books last year than I had in a long time, and I want to continue to make that number bigger... I'm shooting for 2 books a month right now and we'll see if I can surpass that goal. I'd love to hear what books are on your list for the coming year as I'll be trying to find as many different types of books to read as possible. I think through reading different genres you open up so many doors in your mind for creativity.

So, there it is... my pre-New Year's Eve resolutions! I'm going to be sharing the healthy living and self-improvement goals on Wednesdays along with jump-starting the Eat.Live.Be. posts that I've done in the past.

Hopefully, you will stick around and share your tips and what you might be trying to do in the coming year.