Day 145: Chilly Weekend

 

I had so much hope for 2024, but I haven't accomplished anything. I failed miserably getting back on my diet and exercise program. I lost my job. I can't seem to keep my house neat, though I'm trying. Here is a link to my first post of 2024: New Year  I feel like I'm still in the same place. I started and stopped so many times and I have yet to "get it right". I am going to be starting 2025 with the same goals as 2024 .. and 2023 ... and probably 2022. I have to pull myself out of the hole I've dug and start this final section of life: retirement. I'm not going to fool myself into thinking I will magically find a job in the new year. In all honesty, I don't want a new job. This means I have ZERO excuses not to fully devote my life to losing the weight. I have nothing but time. I do not want to end 2025 in the same place. I want to be thinner and happier.

I wrote the paragraph above on 12-16-24. I'm going to repeat it in every blog through 12-31-24.

I was awake around 7:45 and was up before 8, since I knew I wouldn't be able to go back to sleep. Once the cats were fed it was time for some YouTube and Cookie Jam. It was snowing lightly and as of 9:30 the temp was 16. When I got my second cup of coffee I opened the cabinet under the sink, just to enjoy the fact that there is no longer a constant stream of cold air ! I should have addressed the issue long ago but at least it's done now !

My street is snow covered but I'm sure the main roads are in better shape. I'm not going anywhere today so it doesn't much matter to me. The plan for today is a shower, clean sheets on the bed, laundry and dishes. All simple tasks ! I also have to wrap Kim & Joe's Christmas gifts, but that won't take long.

I'm continuing to work on building confidence in my ability to get back on Nutrisystem and the treadmill. I may have to walk very slow but any movement is better than sitting on the couch. Every step is calories burned, and that is all that matters. I know it won't be easy but I have to trust the process and keep reminding myself I did this once, and I can do it again !

By 10:20 I had the first load of laundry in the washer. I don't have a lot to do, but I'm making an effort to keep on top of it. The temp on the laundry room thermostat is 63 but that is no surprise. It's nearly impossible to keep that room at 68 when the temp outside is so low. Upstairs was 64 when I got up, which is close enough to the 65 I have the thermostat set on. The dining room thermostat is holding steady at 68. I'm comfortable in all 3 zones and that is what matters. The overnight single digit temps will be a challenge, but I think I'll be fine. In a pinch, I have 3 electric heaters that can be used.

I find myself excited yet again to embark on a new year. It's another chance to "get it right". I want to put the negativity of 2024 behind me. Ironically, I said the same thing when I started my new blog in 2024. All things considered, 2023 really wasn't the worst year. I was gainfully employed and making good money. I had the siding done on the house and really loved the outcome of that job. The only negative things were the fact that I continued to gain weight and didn't get my diet & exercise program back on track. That is ALL on me ! Losing my job in 2024 wasn't "my fault" and even before that news came I hadn't gotten myself back on track with diet & exercise. I did make an effort afterwards, but fears about my health derailed that. Things seem to be better now, so I'm determined to try again in 2025. My finances are still up in the air as I'm not sure when to start collecting my pension and social security. I'd like to wait until 2026 and with $68k in the bank, I think I can do that. Collecting unemployment will help. I should also get a tax refund and a prorated bonus, so that will help as well. Ideally I'd like to wait until 2027 when I'm 65 to collect Social Security, but I don't think my money will last that long. We'll see how 2025 goes ! The longer I wait, the more my monthly amount will be. Same goes for my pension. January and February will see a lot of money leave my account due to taxes and car insurance, but that is nothing new.

There are 10 days left in 2024 and I'm not sorry to see this year end. Losing my job is the 2nd worst things to ever happen to me. Losing my parents was the worst. Though I never wished for Alex to die, I can't say his passing was a terrible event. I tried for 17 years with him and I can't imagine what my life would look like today if he were still alive. Bad decisions were made on both sides of the relationship, but it was always left to me to keep things going. The financial burden was on me and it was only going to get worse as his health declined. He didn't care enough to improve his health and I wasn't strong enough to change that. I hope he has found peace. My life is better without him, that is a simple fact. I was able to climb out of the financial hole I was in, since I no longer had the medical expenses associated with his heart condition & diabetes. Hospital stays were becoming a frequent occurrence and that was only going to continue. I'd like to think he enjoyed the years we had and that he is at peace now. My life didn't turn out the way I would have liked, but perhaps it turned out the way it was supposed to. I've always said things happen for a reason, so perhaps this "forced" retirement is where I'm supposed to be. I have to admit, I like doing my own thing all day every day. The only bad thing is not getting a big paycheck ! I will make an effort to find a job in the new year, since I'm planning on filing for unemployment, but I don't expect to be successful. For 2025 I have enough money to pay my bills and live my life, and that is all that matters.

My only goals for 2025 are related to diet & exercise. My stretch goal is to lose 100 pounds by 12-31-25. My realistic goal is to exercise at least once per day.