My 2023 Resolutions included five categories:
- Eat professionally prepared meals judiciously
- Eat less for dinner
- Start each weekday with 30 minutes on the elliptical
- Meditate for 1 minute each day
- Engage in Christianity every day
Quarterly Reports 1 – 3 can be accessed here:
I previously posted my reflection on Resolution 1. Eat professionally prepared meals judiciously. In this post I shall reflect on Resolutions 1 – 4.
2. Eat less for dinner. GRADE: C. This grade remained the same as Q3. While I did flirt with eating dinner early, I mostly stuck with the same routine of fairly late, fairly large dinners. My target weight is 155lbs, and I tolerate a range of 155 – 160lbs. I am currently at the high end of the range. When I made this resolution, I wrote, “Eating less for dinner will 1) save money and 2) be good for my health. Eating less for dinner will guard against obesity and related health issues. Further, it will reduce digestive stress on my body when I am trying to sleep and thereby improve my sleep.” All true. I think I’m going to keep this one on the radar for 2024.
3. Start each weekday with 30 minutes on the elliptical. GRADE: B+. This grade increased from a C+. When stating this resolution, I wrote, “This will ensure cardiovascular exercise five days a week. It will get me up and going for the day and will be good for my body and my brain.” Roger that. This resolution has become a habit, a good habit. I’m keeping it. However, I’m creating some flexibility. While the elliptical hits the sweet spot, I’ll allow for substitutes such as walking, running, lifting weights or working in the yard. Main thing is, I need to do something physical to start the day.
4. Meditate for 1 minute each day. GRADE: F. The grade is the same as last quarter. For this resolution, I wrote, “Meditating provides many benefits, but doing it consistently has proven difficult. Accordingly, I’m setting the standard low enough, here, to be achievable, but often enough to be relevant.” I have discovered that I’m not at a level where I can turn on meditation for a minute like a light switch. If I explore meditation in 2024, I think I’ll need to recalibrate by trying a longer session, maybe once per week.
5. Engage in Christianity every day. GRADE: A-. This grade remains the same. In 2023, I wrote, “I will read or listen to something about Christianity every day. Engaging in Christianity every day will make me a better version of myself.” 100%. The resolution has become a habit. Beyond studying the subject by reading and listening to YouTube, my family finally found a church that all three of us like. The church is a half hour drive from our house so we don’t go as much as we’d like. I’m grateful for the times we have been able to go, though!
With Love,
P. Gustav Mueller, author of The Present