It is wonderful to be facing a New Year without an enormous sense of regret. Usually, I feel like I let time go by and didn't achieve any of my goals, but not this year. I went to my holiday functions feeling great about myself. In 2009, my fitness improved, my weight dropped, and I kicked to the curb the classes that were holding me back from continuing with my degree - these are the best gifts possible. I can hardly wait to see what 2010 will bring, but my plan is to push forward with ...

It is wonderful to be facing a New Year without an enormous sense of regret. Usually, I feel like I let time go by and didn't achieve any of my goals, but not this year. I went to my holiday functions feeling great about myself. In 2009, my fitness improved, my weight dropped, and I kicked to the curb the classes that were holding me back from continuing with my degree - these are the best gifts possible. I can hardly wait to see what 2010 will bring, but my plan is to push forward with college, finish remodeling my house, spend time with my husband, and continue to make my health & strength a priority.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
12/16/09: Some men give up their designs when they have almost reached the goal; While others, on the contrary, obtain a victory by exerting, at the last moment, more vigorous efforts than ever before. - Herodotus

12/11/09: I'm going to see a trainer on Tuesday (gulp). I can't even imagine this, but then I couldn't imagine completing a college PE class a few months ago and I did that. I really want to learn T-Tapp form properly and I found a woman in nearby Dixon who teaches classes and also does private lessons. I have scheduled 4 private sessions, but may cut it back to 2, as hubs assignment just ended (happy holidays!). Just going and having someone judge my movements, my form, and measure me is panic-inducing, but I think it will be the good kind. But, with my newly diagnosed plantars and shoulder injury, this is a workout and I can and not lose the fitness I've already gained to date. And, this sort of thing will, I believe, propel me through the holidays in a healthy way. Wish me luck!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am entering finals and find that I am holding steady. That is enough for me at the moment. I know, many people just push push push to continue losing weight during the stressful holiday (and final) season, and that is an admirable goal. For me, I am super happy with 50+ pounds and if I just maintain that for December, I will be a completely happy camper. I made it through Thanksgiving and have no doubt Xmas will be the same. When my last final is done, I will start a 14 day T-Tapp boot camp and I'm really looking forward to that. Happy Holidays all!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
This month I have bobbled up and down the same 2 or 3 pounds over and over again. I have tried upping calories, lowering calories, upping exercise, upping protein. While this is not what I would choose to experience, it HAS given me this Gift -- DETERMINATION. You cannot defeat someone who won't give up. I know that often success comes just after that moment when we are ready to throw in the towel. I have so much to be grateful for, and I won't lose it. I have a smaller pants size, better sleep, a stronger back and great Spark Friends. I won't meet my goal this month, but it doesn't mean I'm down for the count. Hoo Rah!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

-20 lbs See a film, or go to the museum DONE 6/2/09
-30 lbs spa visit - facial! And new fitness shoes DONE 7/18/09
(since I didn't get the facial, I'll get a heart rate monitor)
-40 lbs a day away in San Francisco or new jeans & sports bra DONE! (whew, I thought this one would never come!)
-50 lbs Go away with DH for an arts event.
-60 lbs weekend trip to Monterey or Lake Tahoe
-70 lbs go for a spa weekend
-80 lbs buy myself a piece of art
-90 lbs trip out of state to visit friends
-100 lbs two weeks in Italy

In the past, I have lost weight and exercised faithfully until I hit a wall, then i would fall off the wagon.This month I remained patient and got through the weight plateau that derailed me last year - and I'm THRILLED. I was determined to have a different outcome by dealing with the mental/emotional aspects of the journey by using the Shrink Yourself online program. Yoga & Leslie Sanson's DVD's have allowed me to find muscles I didn't know I had.
Also, I've decided to put those concrete incentives out there for myself as rewards (who doesn't like rewards?) hmmm, yeah those are some big incentives but I think they'll do just fine. I may even add to them as I go along, but I figure - make the incentives BIG ... as big as the challenge. I think I'll make an art board with representations of each of these and keep it someplace I will see it every day.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well, I let the months I was stalled with exercise completely derail me. Ok .. that and the fact that while I had lost over 20 lbs, no one noticed. It really made me angry ... all that hard work - what did it matter?

I know now why it mattered -

1. I felt strong and in control, for the first time in a long time.

2. My back stopped hurting every single day - what a blessing that I have now lost.

3. I found that I CAN lose weight again, and be successful.

So, in reflecting I also found some problems. I can get easily obsessed and focus too hard on the scale and on whether or not it is moving fast enough. I can put so much focus on food that it is counter productive. I can also get very ANGRY at all the work it takes to change, and I found that I fall into a panic if I get very hungry and I'm away from home -- how do I find something to eat that won't blow my success? I found myself wishing I had some other issue .. I mean we HAVE to eat .. I can't give up eating cold turkey!

But, I want to feel good about myself again. I gained back nearly all the weight I lost. I feel roly poly, over-stuffed and my back is hurting again. However, my tendonitis is far less painful and all the physical therapy helped me. I am going to start exercising again and find some option to walking if the pain flares up again.

Here's to a stronger 2009

Read More About LADYIRIS313 (Updated December 26)

Member Comments Page (382 total):  123Next >Last >>