2013: Time for some resolutions!

Happy New Year! I haven’t blogged a lot lately, and I’ve realized I NEED to blog to help keep me accountable on my wellness journey. So here goes! 

2012 in review: This time last year I was just beginning my fitness journey. As part of Covenant Health’sBiggest Winner Marathon Team I’d committed to competing in one of the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon events in April. Those of you who have known me throughout this entire journey know that that goal was COMPLETELY outside of my comfort zone! Well, I did it! I completed not only one half marathon in 2012, but two half marathons in 2012. Who would’ve thought?! Definitely, not me!

I logged into my HumanaFit account earlier today where I log all of my fitness activity, including my daily FitBit steps. I pulled a 2012 year-end summary. In 2012 (give or take a few steps/miles/etc.) I walked 1231.07 miles, which included 2,251,808 steps, 905 hours of activity, and over 425,312 calories burned. Definitely a far cry from the couch potato I was when I started this journey.

The past month has been tough. I was rear-ended while driving (actually while stopped) which took a minor toll on my back, and I’ve been battling sinus crap the past month off and on … so since Thanksgiving my activity has been somewhat limited. I can’t handle this level of inactivity much longer, so pray that my coughing spells are short-lived, and I’m back to my old self again soon!

Even though my aerobic activity has been somewhat limited, I’ve started easing back into my stretching routine, with a plan that come Saturday, come hell or high water … I’m back on track! I miss my teammates whom I’m used to seeing weekly! The holidays are great and all … but really can take their toll on the best of routines.

When thinking about my New Year’s resolutions, I looked back at my blog from this time last year. I never set definite resolutions, but set some guidelines… 

“Since it's New Year's day I'll wrap it up with this ... I want the rest of my year to be like yesterday. Not the pain, the fear or the anxiety that I might not make it back down the mountain in one piece, but that exhilarating feeling of finishing something I was determined to finish! I want to always make the choice to do something instead of do nothing. I want to continue to step outside of my comfort zone, knowing that is the only way I can grow. I want to continue to believe in me, and what I'm capable of achieving.”

I don’t think I could define my goals for 2013 any clearer that I did at this point a year ago. Instead of nit-picking things I want to change about myself, I want to continue to challenge myself, and grow myself. I don’t want to set my goals in a negative framework, like, “I need to quit doing this,” or “I need to start doing this,” implying that the way I’m living my life is not the way I intended to. 

 In 2012 I took charge of my own destiny. I wrote my own plan. I took care of my most valuable life-asset … me! And it felt great! Why not do it again in 2013?

As far as my fitness goals – I have signed up for the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon (Half Marathon) in April. I’m not 100% sure my body can take it again … but I’m going to try!

Thank you to everyone who continues to support me, and encourage me! Your words of kindness and encouragement mean more to me than any of you will ever know! Also, thank you to the amazing friends I’ve made along this journey! LeeAnn and Melody have kept me going physically and emotionally through many a rough patch, as well as all of the other folks on our team, and our coaches! 

The new Biggest Winner team has started their weight loss journey, and I see so much of us and our insecurities, but also our excitement, in them! Don’t get me wrong – they are their own group with their own identity, but I certainly hope that they embrace this challenge head-on! It’s worth it! Happy New Year! 

As always, a little closing inspiration from Pinterest! 

Ain't no mountain high enough...

Yesterday I climbed a mountain. Literally and metaphorically. Earlier this week I started coming down with a cold, and haven't felt 100% for several days. Friday night while I was drowning my sorrows with hot tea and Kleenex I got the e-mail from Coach Missy Kane that our optional Saturday "get together" would be a leisurely outing to hike the breezy 3.5 miles at House Mountain. My first thought was, "no way, I feel like crap." Then I started feeling guilty that some of my teammates would be going on the trek, and I might not make it. After the guilt subsided I had flashbacks to the last time I went on an "easy" hike with some co-workers. Six miles, and one torn ligament in my foot later, I vowed to never believe anyone again when they said we were going on an "easy hike." 

When I woke up yesterday morning I decided that I was going to do it. If my options were: A: spend the morning being miserable at the house b/c I was sick, or B: spend the morning being miserable while attempting a hike with my teammates...I might was well do something productive! 


Around 10 a.m. Coach Missy, along with her sister & youngest daughter, met up with me, Lee Ann and Melody (my walking buddies & teammates), and several other of their sporty hiking friends (Carl, Sharon & Jerry).  Here we were before we got started: 

Needless to say the next four hours were a huge test and a huge testimony. A test of our strength (literally and figuratively) and a testimony to our sheer will and determination. I remember thinking to myself as we climbed straight up a rocky mountainside, "maybe someday I'll come out here and do this and think this is fun!" 


Thankfully, I had my teammates. I know I probably start to sound all sorts of "lean on me" and "I get by with a little help from my friends," when I blog about my teammates ...but you all have no idea. Yesterday Lee Ann and Melody were my lifeline. There were moments when I considered just sitting down and not going any further, thinking, eventually I can either roll back down this mountain, or I'll get eaten by wild dogs when nightfall comes, but by God, I won't have to worry about hiking back up or down. 


Every step of the way they were there to help me -- whether it was sympathizing with how I was feeling, or pointing out a rock or root that might trip me up, or holding my hand as I made it across portions of the trail that were only passable by climbing over rocks. There is NO WAY I could have finished yesterday's excursion in one piece without them both. To Mel & Lee Ann, thank you!! 


Several things made this hike worth it: 
First: the feeling of accomplishment when we made it back to the bottom of the mountain. I'm not really sure if that feeling was purely accomplishment, or just the euphoria masking all of the physical pains I was feeling ... but whatever it was, I'll take it.


Second: the momentum. When we finished I thought to myself, the next time I come back this won't be so hard. Wait, the next time?! OK, now I know I've lost my mind. I'll have to re-think the next time. 


Third: The workout. We logged over 11,000 steps, and burned 1,000+ calories. 


Fourth: the view. Everyone kept telling me (they'd all been on this hike before) it's an amazing view once you make it to the top! They were right! 


This is almost to the top -- sitting on a huge rock, taking a rest.

When we made it to the top we stopped to have a snack, rest, and take pictures. It truly was such an incredible view. What made it even more beautiful was knowing that the only way to make it to where I was standing was to physically do what I did. 

Thanks to Coach Missy for making me believe that I can accomplish anything. Even if at first it seemed like a a distorted view of reality, I'm determined to make it my reality! 

Since it's New Year's day I'll wrap it up with this ... I want the rest of my year to be like yesterday. Not the pain, the fear or the anxiety that I might not make it back down the mountain in one piece, but that exhilarating feeling of finishing something I was determined to finish! I want to always make the choice to do something instead of do nothing. I want to continue to step outside of my comfort zone, knowing that is the only way I can grow. I want to continue to believe in me, and what I'm capable of achieving.  

Designing my resolutions

It's been a few days since I've posted, with the hustle and bustle of the holidays surrounding us. Surprisingly I had a lot of quiet time to myself in the past week and have used it to really start considering my short (2012) and long term health & fitness goals. I plan to fine-tune my thoughts and post on that in my next blog!


But now for a quick holiday review! I did it -- the week prior to Christmas I got in 5 work outs! I've been going to the gym (Fort Sanders Health & Fitness) more than when I started training, and it helps keep me motivated. There's something about being in a group of people who are all sweating to help keep you going. One day I remember glancing over at the gentleman on the bike beside me - he was maybe 60+ years old, had been on the bike longer than I had, but had gone a shorter distance. I thought, "look at me, ahead of this guy," and then I realized he was just in his warm up! Before I knew it he was cycling over 75 rpm! Sheesh. Instead of letting him get the best of me (mentally) I kept up with him, even cycling on the interval setting. It was probably unfair to him that he didn't realize we were competing ... but it gave me the push I needed! lol


My goal for the coming week is to really start some upper body and core strengthening into my workout. I'm really looking forward to our group training sessions that will start in January.


As far as Christmas was concerned, I feel good about what I did and what I ate. Sure there were a few splurges here and there (2 cookies on Christmas to be exact ... but it was homemade rugula and it was worth every carb). I made a really yummy Greek dip with hummus, feta, cucumbers, tomatoes & kalamata olives (finally something productive from pinterest!) that I took to Christmas at my folks house. It was so yummy that I took a 2nd batch back for night 2 of our festivities.


I got some great fitness related holiday gifts, that I'm really excited about! New headphones (that double as blue tooth if needed), and an armband holder thingie for my iphone for when I'm walking/shuffling/running. I also got a great new pair of running gloves -- which will really come in handy tonight since I'm planning on some outside training! And, thankfully, some gift certificates to go buy some new clothes. My pants (even the ones I bought 2 weeks ago) have started to look completely, and ridiculously big. Yesterday at work I had no fewer than 4 people tell me I needed new pants. While I appreciate them noticing ... it's frustrating and exhilarating at the same time! lol 


Well, off to work (my Friday for the week)! Hope everyone is enjoying a wonderful week!