Cup O’ Joe: Another year in the books

The year 2011 has come to an end and what an eventful year it was. While the economy continues to struggle, there have been positives signs the country is slowly turning the corner. Many would probably agree they are no worse off than this time a year ago. And though that may not be a ringing endorsement for good times yet to come it’s a start.
    Think baby steps folks. It’s going to be a long march back to the economic good times from five years ago.
New Year’s Eve is a time many come up with resolutions on things they hope to improve about themselves in the coming year.
Last year, I thought I had come up with the foolproof plan to make a resolution stick — the “Costanza Plan.” I figured by making a resolution that was the opposite of what I wanted to happen, I was guaranteed success.
I was wrong.
Losing weight and starting to exercise more were my real goals. That didn’t happen. Although at one point, I was able to shed five or six pounds, but that was only because of a nasty tooth problem that resulted in me being unable to open my mouth to chew for a week or so.
I wouldn’t wish that type of thing on anyone, although my dentist might. Besides, the pounds quickly came back once I was finally able to eat something other than liquid meals.
So once again, I find myself trying to find new and exciting way of sticking to my resolutions. This year I’m still looking to lose a few pounds. I need to spend more time with the family and I’m trying to be more positive both at work and at home.
Diets aren’t my thing. The idea of having two of my three meals consisting of some sort of beverage doesn’t interest me. I like to eat. So that means exercise is the next step. We have a treadmill. It was my wife’s desire to have one for working out in the winter. I think I’ve been on it once or twice, which is only a handful less times than her.
I’m thinking, if I can set up a cool room in the basement, equipped with TV and a DVD player, I can at least throw on a movie or concert video and walk off a few pounds. Maybe I’ll even get crazy and try a light jog. At least until I blow out a knee or something.
Joseph Cyr is a staff writer for the Houlton Pioneer Times. He can be reached at pioneertimes@nepublish.com or 532-2281.