2021 Resolutions

My family’s 2021 didn’t start out the best. New Year’s Eve was great. But the wife was down all weekend with what a doctor at the walk-in clinic diagnosed as strep throat.

I think she’s feeling better now. But it wasn’t a great start to 2021. I still think this year is going to be miles better than last year.

The year 2020 wasn’t all bad, but it certainly gave us more challenges than we’ve likely ever faced before.

I saw a lot of folks this weekend on social media refusing to post New Year’s Resolutions. Some even mocked the tradition. I understand it’s not for everyone. And it’s not always for me.

But I’m going to list a few “resolutions” just to get them down tokeep me accountable.

Daily Push-Ups

I like to take ideas from other places. I do it often when it comes to figuring out new workout routines.

And someone suggested doing 25 push-ups each day for an entire year. I think that’s a great idea and I will give it a shot in 2021.

I even asked my 8-year-old daughter to help remind me to do them. That way if I haven’t already done them, I can roll them off real quick. She asked me Sunday afternoon if I had done them yet. I hadn’t. But we did them together a few minutes later.

I have been dealing with a shoulder injury for quite some time so it’s hard to know if I can do this all year. But the hope is to eventually get in more than 25 some days. Wish me luck on this one.

Charting Mileage

Another goal is to chart the miles I put in on a treadmill or outside when it gets nicer out. This includes walking and running throughout the day. I plan to run a lot more in 2021 than I did in 2020, but my lower back already has given me issues lately.

So my production may have to be just walking sometimes. I also like to do HIIT workouts that involve both running and walking.

Less Social Media

The goal is to be less engaging on twitter. I know that sounds weird for a guy in my field. The hope is that I can be active on social media but avoid the trolls who are not good for my mental health.

The goal is to tweet when I want to and engage less in conversations if those conversations are simply arguments.

It won’t be easy. I love chatting with friends and others about certain topics. But it’s time for me to put the phone down more often and focus on other things in my life.

An NL Central title for the Reds

This one may be asking too much. The Reds haven’t won a division title in several years. And they appear to be looking to trim payroll instead of adding to it.

Fortunately for the Reds, every NL team appears to be shedding contracts and finding ways to cut spending.

If the Reds can add a shortstop and maybe another starting pitcher to fill in for some losses, I think the roster is capable of making a run at the division.

Good Health for the 49ers

My San Francisco 49ers had a real issue with injuries this year. One season after playing in the Super Bowl, the 49ers placed a total of 28 players on the Injured Reserve.

That’s just not a recipe for success in football. To finish 6-10 with most of the best players playing half the season or less is still a great accomplishment in my opinion.

The squad will likely lose Defensive Coordinator Robert Saleh to a head coaching position. They won’t be able to sign all their free agents either. But having the 12th pick in the NFL Draft will help them regroup and hopefully return to the playoffs in 2021.

I think the only reason they are not in the 2020 playoffs is because of the injuries. Find a way to stay healthy, and I think they have another big season.

Contact Troy Hyde at thyde@shawmedia.com