My Clean Start

So with my empty weight loss promises behind me (or more appropriately, packed in my behind), I'm ready to wipe the slate clean and start making some grand plans for 2011.  So here it goes:

1.  Lose 15 pounds.  This time I really mean it.  I have a big motivator in the year ahead - my daughter's Bat Mitzvah.  If you're not Jewish, let me explain.  Every time a child gets their Bar or Bat Mitzvah date, their mother must go on a diet in order to fit into a really fancy dress for the big party that takes place after their child successfully recites their torah portion in front of family and friends. And so, beginning January 1, I will be joining the nearest Weight Watchers center and hitting the gym a few more times a week. And I'm going to jog...really I am!

2.  Learn How to Dance Like Jennifer Grey - This fall, I became a "Dancing with the Stars" junkie after discovering that one of my all time favorite film stars was competing.  Back when I was a teen, I was a huge "Dirty Dancing" fan, so after seeing Jennifer, who's now a 50-year-old mom looking absolutely gorgeous on the dance floor, I've been inspired to get my mojo back, put on a pair of leg warmers and enroll in a pole dancing, zumba or salsa class stat.

3.  De-clutter my office and closet - While I may seem pretty organized on the outside, when it comes right down to it, on the homefront, I am a disheveled mess.   In fact, I spent the greater part of this weekend throwing out papers, notes and bills from three years ago.  It's time to give up my pack rat routine so that I can find things more easily.  And as for my closet, one never knows.  If I finally purge some items, I may find some un-pilly sweaters I've forgotten about from a few seasons ago.  The one thing I do regret is getting rid of all my Bennetton sweaters and leggings from the 1980's - I should have known that everything comes back in style if you wait long enough.

4.  Meet Drew Barrymore - Over the past few years, I've been incredibly fortunate to have interviewed several inspiring women including Emma Thompson, Sigourney Weaver, Sharon Osbourne and Maria Shriver.  This year, I've decided to put out into the universe that I would like to meet and interview Drew Barrymore.   Ever since she played "Birdie" in "ET,"  I've been a huge fan.   My adoration of Drew continued with "Fever Pitch" and "Never Been Kissed" and honestly, every time she stars in or produces a movie, I drag my entire family to see it.   In fact, even my daughter's middle name is Drew. So Drew, if you're reading this, please friend me on Facebook or send me a tweet!

5.  Take My Family on A Worldwide Adventure - I haven't decided where we're going just yet, but my kids' passports won't expire for another three years and I think that in the coming year, we'll be ready to start exploring.  My daughter is 11 and my son is 8 - the perfect ages to not only experience the world but to create memories that will carry them into their adult years.  Destinations on our vacation wish list include:  Israel, Spain, London, France, Greece and if I had my way, Italy - but since that's the one place my husband has been (with me on our honeymoon), it looks like the shopping districts in Rome and Florence will have to live without me for a few more years. 

6. Kill People with Kindness - My goal in 2011 is to continue to look on the bright side of things and recognize people in my everyday life who make me happy.  That means you mister gas station attendant who smiled, wished me a Happy New Year and washed off the slush from my car window in freezing cold temperatures, or Tina, our favorite diner waitress who we've known since our daughter was an infant.  Spreading good cheer all year round can actually be quite contagious - so give it a try!

7.  Get involved in Community Theater - I have always loved to perform and while I never pursued my dream of a career on the Broadway stage, I do get the chance to appear in a local production at our synagogue every year.  But once the curtain closes and there aren't any more rehearsals to attend, I suffer from withdrawal.  My goal in 2011 is to audition for a local community theater group or start one at our temple so that all the frustrated actors and actresses in our congregation can get the chance to hop back on stage at least twice a year.

8.  Read 10 Books  - I am an avid reader but for some reason, this year, I fell down in that department.  While I managed to squeeze in two amazing reads "The Help" and "One Day," for the life of me, I can't remember another book I've read in 2010.  And so, in 2011, I plan to dive into a few great reads.  Sorry Oprah but I won't be reading the classics - been there, done that with Cliff Notes. Instead, I'll rely on my commuter girlfriends (aka "the book whisperers") who always seem to know which novels are the best ones to read.

9.  Go on More Date Nights - Now don't get concerned.  I mean go on more dates with my husband. We actually had the chance to go to a movie and dinner this past Tuesday night and I have to say, we had the best time re-connecting with one another.  Since Optimum Rewards offers members free movies on Tuesday nights, we've decided that Tuesday is our new official Date Night.  

10.  Take a Break - You heard it here first.  People always ask me - do you ever sleep?  Well, sure I do, but not enough because my mind is always racing with projects I'd like to accomplish the next day, the next week, month or year.  Well, my clean start for the coming year includes taking a break. That means powering down, vegging out with my family and getting at least eight hours of sleep.  I hear that if you sleep more it actually helps you lose weight and if that's the case, I'll be reaching my first goal in no time.

So what are your resolutions in the year ahead for making a clean start?  I'd love to hear them!