Goals for the year

I know it's well into 2006, but I've wanted to take some time before making commitments to goals. I'd like this to be a more thoughtful process because I figure it will lend itself to greater success.

On the fitness front, I intend to add weight work to my weekly routine at least 2X and I intend to add core strengthening 2X per week also. I am not going to set a goal weight. Recent reading leads me to believe that the GOAL has to be adopting and incorporating better eating habits, not necessarily weight loss. I think that it is a whole lot like the attitude that if you do what you love to earn a living, then the money follows. To that end, I intend to do the following:
1. Pay attention to portion control;
2. Aim for 6-9 servings of fruits and vegetables every day from a variety of sources, focusing on what is actually in season;
3. Fish 3-4 times a week;
4. Vegetarian 3-4 times a week, and not just a steady diet of Boca burgers;
5. Experiment with new food products and try at least one new recipe every week;
6. Pay attention to meeting recommended fiber intake by focusing on whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

I think all of the above are attainable habits. I am not going to incorporate them all at once, but I do believe that using menu planning is going to help me adopt these habits gradually, so I am definitely commiting some time each week to planning menus. In the short term, this will mean using what is already on hand in the pantry and the freezer. If it's not useable, then it will get tossed. I am definitely cleaning out the cupboards.

Some other things I want to work on this year are developing a closer bond with my brother. After all, when Dad is gone (and I hope that's not for a long time!), Mark is my immediate family. We get along, but we tend to just not stay in close touch. I want to improve that. At work, I want to develop better coaching skills. I think I will ask if a couple of the execs that I like and respect will help mentor me in this area.

Other projects: get my address book computerized; put $10 a week into my savings account; finish assembling a family cookbook

Those are my general goals for 2006. I intend to track my progress weekly here and longer term in my daily planner.