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Partners
1. Lose weight (10kg),
2. exercise regularly and eat healthily,
3. drink less alcohol,
4. watch less TV and read more,
5. strengthen my relationship with God,
6. use my money wisely, get out of debt and save!
7. (hopefully) find a good man and build a healthy relationship,
8. be more organised,
9. continuously empower myself and work hard towards a promotion, and
10. quit smoking.
Although it took me the whole year to do it, I lost 4kg and I'm proud of myself. However, with great focus on Resolution 3, I would have done a lot better. In fact, I would have scored big in all my resolutions.
I don't have a drinking problem and definitely far from being an AA candidate. Alcohol is an occasional indulgence that used to feature particularly in most of my weekend activities but it's amazing what a huge negative impact it had on my resolutions. Of course, I know that alcohol is loaded with calories but I seemed to brush this off after my first drink. Thereafter, I was never bothered about counting calories, just maybe the number of aspirins I had to take for the after effect. Obviously, gym was never an option the next morning. I forced it once and almost had the previous night's tequila flooding all over the aerobic studio floor. To save myself from the possible major embarrassment, I never gave it another attempt and stuck to activities that required less noise and movement.
When I woke up with the will to eat, 1% fat cereal in skim milk was always a definite no-no. An oily omelette with extra cheese was a much better option. Coffee and a cigarette were always best to wash this down. Never mind the fact that I would have had a hotdog topped with mayonnaise, chutney and chilli sauce on the way home at three in the morning. How I managed to lose the 4 kg, it beats me.
When I managed to get to church on Sundays, I spent more time praying that God heals the throbbing headache and gave me strength or wishing that the old lady with a high note sitting next to me could sing a bit softer. Resolution 5 didn't quite work as planned in this case.
I was always convinced that Mondays had more hours added to them. They always seemed longer and productivity levels ran low as I went through them in great depression, literally in a suicidal state. And I was also dead sure that bosses spent their weekends plotting what they can do to put in an extra effort in making this day more miserable. I was not winning with Resolution 8 and clearly not working very hard on Resolution 9.
Maintaining this lifestyle came at a price, as I had to keep up with social standards and be seen at hot venues looking even hotter. Regular shopping was highly recommended. This ate up on my pocket. Also not forgetting calls made around midnight to an ex-boyfriend I swore I would never speak to for as long as I live, which I only remembered when spotting them on my itemised billing and kicked myself wondering what the hell I was saying to the monkey.
This lifestyle needed a major adjustment. Consumption of alcohol led me to heavy smoking; late nights that always caused a week's fatigue, bingeing on bad foods, irresponsible expenses and left me disorganised and sadly, but not surprisingly, single.
I've decided to kick the bottle completely and dedicate my time to reflecting on myself and connecting with God, empowering myself through reading and going to places where I won't have to shout to be heard and where I would at least be in a chance of meeting a non-sweaty decent man with fresh breath. This is my sober resolution and I will stick to it.
Pic: Vanessa Grobler
