It’s Time for a Little Progress Check

Valentine’s Day is nearly here and for most of you, that probably turns your thoughts to flowers, candy and the like, right? For me, it makes me want to stop and ask, “So, now that we’re a little over a month into this thing, how are those resolutions working out for ya?” That’s right… remember that other holiday, just about a month ago, the one where forty-five percent of us make at least one resolution to do something different in the upcoming year?   

It’s said that seventy-five percent of Americans who make a new year’s resolution will make it past the first week. Pretty good, huh? Of course, one week is pretty easy. I’m usually still too stuffed from all the holiday parties to even think about breaking my resolution to lose weight and get in shape. Actually weight loss and establishing an exercise routine are two of the top resolutions made every year. I have to admit, I started working on that one last year when my husband and I decided to join a health club. I can’t say that I really lost any weight, although my husband is really good about making sure we stick with the exercise routine. After all, he is the one writing the checks out every month for our membership.

Probably the biggest reason for my not actually losing weight despite working out is my love of snack foods. I definitely broke that resolution last year - the one about eating healthier when we joined the health club. It started out really good, lots of lean meats, salads, fruits and vegetables. But after a couple months, my love of carbs and candy got the best of me. So, I decided to make that same resolution again this year and get back on track. Well at least for my family’s sake. They don’t have to know that while they are enjoying a nice meal of salmon with steamed veggies, Mom has a bag of swedish fish hiding in the cupboard for her own private after-hours snack.

Also high on the list of American new year’s resolutions are quitting smoking and managing money better. Luckily, I’ve never had to worry about the first one - I see the struggle President Obama has been having with that! Managing money well can always be something to work on, but since I don’t think I do too badly at that, I am going to focus on my other big resolution: being a more calm, patient parent. If you’ve ever watched the  movie “Father of the Bride,” you may recall Steve Martin’s character referring to himself as coming from a long line of over-reactors. I hate to admit it, but I tend to relate to George Banks. I have been working really hard on this one because I don’t want my kids to be prone to overreacting. I find myself having messed this one up already (like when one of the kids found the bag of Swedish fish), but I am not giving up that easy.  Studies show that 3 out of 4 people who make resolutions fail to keep them. However, it’s also a fact that making multiple resolutions increases your chance of success.

So for Valentine’s Day, I may just have to head down to the “I Left My Heart on Broad Street” event in the village and take the kids to Ferch’s for a treat. I, of course, will be calmly eating the salad.