New Year = New Perspective

I've been asking myself over the past couple weeks what it is about New Years Resolutions that I don't like. Seems like I've always professed I don't like them. I wanted to know why. They sound great. They sound motivating and inspiring.  Then it occurred to me that the reason I don't think I've ever been one for New Years Resolutions, is the idea of failure. I had failed so many times in my life in years past at the beginning of the new year when I committed to lose weight, be healthier, etc.  Then by March or April, I'd fallen off the bandwagon and back into my old ways and the weight was either still there or more had crept on. I guess that part of things has been overlooked the past several years when New Years has come and gone and I just still had the mindset of disliking goals for the reason of years prior of failure. When I began this weight loss journey it was not in January. It was in March. It wasn't New Years. It wasn't a time of year where everyone was setting goals and trying to make a change. This was different. And if you've read my blog from the beginning, you'll read that I didn't even know what my goals were in the beginning of this journey. I had no clue what to think or expect, as I was treading on new ground and was unsure in many ways of what I was capable of. The good news is that I made it to my goal. It took time, hard work, discipline, and motivation, but I got there. One day at at time. It was the first time in my life, I'd set a health-related goal and was successful. And not in a little way, but a big way. 

So, with that on my mind these past couple weeks, I've warmed up to the idea of goals. Resolutions. Dreams. Why not? I know now that I have what it takes mentally and physically to get me anywhere on the map. I can't say I've always been that way, no way. But I am now, so why not goal it up! As I've contemplated the idea of a few goals, it's gotten me excited again about health -- something to work towards, something to dream about. I feel like with the bit of a slump I've been in since summer break, the move etc. this is just what I'm needing to push forward and gain back the feeling I had felt before when I was in what felt like my best shape. 

So here are a few things I will be working on in 2015...GOALS....RESOLUTIONS!

* I plan to get back to resistance training several days a week. Since summer, it has been very hit and miss and I have had no real plan of attack when I get there. Just whatever sounded good and got the job done. I plan to be very disciplined in getting a thought out, planned, and on paper type workout in when I am there and push myself to get stronger and leaner in the process. 

*  I have continued to run, which as you've known has not always been a favorite of mine, but for some reason I keep going back. I don't know why. I like how it makes me feel when it's over. It's something I'd never been able to say I could do before.  Now I can. It's one of the few cardio exercises that can make me drip with sweat, and believe it or not, I like that feeling. Since I recently got a FitBit, I've ditched the Garmin. Now the FitBit will tell me distance and calories burned and that seems to be all I need to like running that much more. I have found that ditching my watch and not caring about my pace and time has made me a whole new runner. I'm enjoying it. I'm looking forward to it. I just head out and go, and I sync my phone when I'm done to see how far I went. It's perfect for me right now. Will I always be that way? Probably not. I'll need to graduate back to my Garmin at some point, but for now, I needed something very simple and non stressing, to help me fall in love with the exercise that seems to give me the most success as far as cardio. 

* In May, I'm planning to head to Indiana for a weekend to run the Indy Mini 500 Half Marathon with my Ragnar team, Strangers to Solemates. It's going to be a reunion of sorts for us and I'm super excited. I would love to be leaner and more fit than I was when they all met me for the first time last April. It's not a must, but it's motivating, and I will work my hardest to get there. From there, I will continue on my journey and move forward setting new short-term goals to keep me motivated and uplifted. 

*I'd love to sign up for more races. Basically, I run my traditional Seattle Half-Marathon every year, and then I've done a couple other local races and a Ragnar. I wouldn't mind stepping out of my comfort zone and trying a few more. Not to mention, they're always so fun!

With a New Year, it always brings the idea of change. A fresh start. A new beginning. Whatever it is you're striving to better or change or make a priority in the coming year, I pray is a success. It started with a thought. Now, act on it, have the faith, and press on. It won't be easy. I'm sure I'm going to have my share of days that are a struggle, but just keep telling yourself, you can do anything you put your mind to. You have the power to change you! Happy 2015!