Update on the Goals for 2013
I have heard that most New Year’s resolutions are long forgotten by mid-February so I thought I would take a look and see how I am doing on my 2 main goals for 2013.
Goal Number 1: Lose Weight
I thought I would start with the simplest and most straight forward of the 2 goals, losing weight. I want to lose 15 pounds by May to get me to about 215 in time for softball season. I want to still be able to make it down the line quickly and not hurt my knees so much so getting to 215 is a start.
On the day that I hit the heaviest I have ever been, I weighed in at 230.4 pounds. Since that day, I have managed to weigh in at even or down each week. Yesterday, I was 224.8 for a total 5.6 pound weight loss in a little over 6 weeks. A pound per week should be quite sustainable. Also, I have not lost any strength although my upper body workout has been less than stellar these past 2 weeks due to muscle spasms in my upper back. It should be better in the next week or two.
Goal Number 2: Lose Debt
This is a little more complicated as technically my liabilities have increased over the past month, but that is because the PLUS loans that are paid out for fall and spring semesters go into repayment starting in February. So that total has been added to the overall mix. But the debts that I have wanted to focus on (namely consumer debt) has been decreasing. In January, I managed to knock about $6000 off the total.
Now I started a new blog to more closely follow and share my progress. It is called Shredding Debt, which is exactly what I am looking forward to doing to all my credit cards when I get them paid off. Shred them for good! Be sure to stop by and check out the blog. The design and logo is the work of Andrea at Nuts and Bolts Media. I think she did a fabulous job for a reasonable cost. All I have to do is log in and start writing.
February will not end up as good. This is because I am hoarding cash for a possible business purchase or investment. I have been meeting with bankers and a consultant to see what can be worked out. I am keeping the cash in case I need to put up some equity into the deal to make it happen. Once the picture is clearer, I can resume my efforts.
Nevertheless, there will be some debt payoff simply from principal repayments. At least I am able to track my progress closely. I have been updating my spreadsheet monthly since October of 2012 working on getting debt paid off and freeing up some monthly cash flow.
Carnivals
Finally, here are the carnivals that featured my blogs in the past few weeks:
I found out it in a hard way. There was a very demanding period at work and the only way I could cope with the load at the time was by going to gym daily.
Congratulation with knocking off $6,000 this is one very impressive figure!
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Physical exercise is a great mental stress reliever.
Congratulations on the weight loss! I am trying to do the same. It’s a long road, but it will be worth it to get healthier. Do you use a particular exercise program or are you managing it yourself?
Wayne @ Young Family Finance recently posted..Simple Ways to Save Money
No, just managing myself for the most part. I am trying to watch portion sizing but not restricting what I eat. I am also focusing on drinking extra water each day which helps. I work out with a personal trainer once per week and weigh myself there. I am on track to be at 220 lbs by the end of March.