The new year is a natural time for self-reflection. It’s when everyone around the world looks at themselves and looks at where they were last year and where they want to be next year. We set goals and we resolve to do better this time around. Sales in nicotine patches go up and the gyms are packed full of people who needed the calendar change to give them that fresh start; the ball drops and their slates are blank again.

I know this post is a little late, it being the seventh of January already, but I had to wait until my holiday celebrations were officially over, before I could pledge my commitment to change. This past weekend was our family Christmas: presents, huge meals that last hours, everyone grouped together to laugh about old stories, and to enjoy the incredible family I’m so proud to be a part of. Needless to say the weekend was wonderful and we all drove home last night with our bellies full and the overwhelming desire to never eat again.

There were small victories achieved this weekend. We were slightly more active than we have been on Christmases past. All day Saturday we were enjoying upstate New York winter sports! We set out for ice skating, and that night we drove up to Jiminy Peak for some night skiing. So, at least we got a few AFP in before we sat down to eat the homemade cinnamon buns.

I thought I would share with you, 2FNS, my 2013 bucket list/resolutions.

- Get a job I like
- Start playing my violin again; learn to play El Tango de Roxanne (from Moulin Rouge)
- Read 24 books (or 2 a month)
- Build a 52-week chain
- Lose 40 pounds
- Run a 5k and like it
- Follow through

About a week ago, a new friend of mine (one that I hardly know), asked me if I was the kind of person that just talked about doing things but never really did them. It was shocking to hear someone that you’ve known for a week call you out casually on, probably, your biggest flaw. I just looked back at him and said, all joking aside, “yes.” So, that is the root of all of my resolutions this year. To not be that person. This is the year I follow through, in everything I say I’m going to do, so I don’t take the lazy way out of life.

Cheers to 2013!