A New Year = A New Start

January 1st.

A day of reflection. A day of hope. A day where millions of people worldwide resolve to make “this year” better than the last by making a list of goals they’ll probably forget about once all the confetti and champagne is gone.

I’d always resolve to “lose weight” but would forget all about it after the first few weeks. Last year was different though – I set some pretty great goals for myself to achieve and I surprised even myself by continuously working to achieve them.

LAST YEAR’S GOALS:

• Walk/run/jog 500 miles – I logged 324.4 miles in 2010.
• Finish the C25K program Purposely stopped it. (Read why here)
• Start riding my bike: ACHIEVED
• Not drink ANY soda – ACHIEVED
• Participate in (12) 5k races for the year (hopefully running at least one): I ran in 9 races this year including a 10K and a 15K.
• Start a garden – Never did
• Sign up for karate (or another martial art if karate not available) - had to put this on hold due to finances
• Stay within my budget every month (using YNAB) Mostly achieved this.
• Organize family reunion: ACHIEVED
• Read the entire Bible using this plan. Not even close.

As you can see, 2010 was a bitter sweet year for me and I find myself full of mixed emotions as I welcome 2011. On the one hand, I am SO ready for the new year ahead, but on the other hand I feel like I’m leaving 2010 with unfinished business on the table. There was SO much more I wanted to accomplish in 2010 and I only scratched the surface. You might recall that I suffered a stress fracture back in October. I’m still not completely healed and as a result haven’t ran since then. I was on target to reach both my mileage goal and my 5k goal before I got this injury. Like I said above “I gave it my all, but unfortunately, my all just wasn’t enough.”

I accomplished a lot in 2010, so I’m choosing to focus on that instead of focusing on my struggles or where I fell short.

My favorite moment of 2010 was the day I ran the Miracle Miles 15K. It was an amazing experience from start to finish. I went home with a PR, a medal, and an even greater love for the sport of running. It’s also the race where I injured my foot. Injury and all, I wouldn’t have traded this race for anything in the world. It was a glorious day, and one of my most proudest achievements. I love that day and everything about it.

Some other great moments of 2010 for me were:

When I exposed myself
Placed 3rd as a team in the 911 Fitness Challenge and placed 7th individually
The first time I tried to run
I joined a kickboxing class…and LOVED it.
I conquered a fear and started riding my bike
I did a workout pledge!
I ran a mile straight without having to stop to walk!
I ran my first 5k without having to stop to walk
I wore a bathing suit in public without a cover up
I fit into a size FOURTEEN jeans
I celebrated my one year blogiversary
I hit Onederland
I joined Caleb’s Crusade and started training for my first half-marathon!
Had a mini-epiphany about running and realized that I AM A RUNNER.
Finished 9 Races

While I may not have achieved all of my “New Years Resolutions” from last year, I really can’t help but feel proud of what I DID achieve.

So, now what? All I know is I need something to help me get back on track again. Not being able to run sent me into a serious bout of depression and due to that my eating spiraled out of control (understatement) I’ve been struggling….BAD. How bad? Well, as of today I weigh 219 pounds, which is 23.7 pounds higher than I was pre-injury. I feel so stupid for doing this to myself. How could I work SO hard to take it off….to get below 200…to wear a size FOURTEEN jeans….just to put 23.7 lbs back on??? Stupid. Stupid. Stupid! So, then those feelings of regret make me just want to eat more and before I know it I’m stuck in a vicious cycle of overeating…a cycle that stops TODAY.

I decided to once again join the 911 Fitness Challenge that I joined last year and it started today. It’s a weight loss challenge through the local Sheriff’s office. I’m on a team again with my friend Lynne and our aunt and I couldn’t be more excited! Hopefully this will motivate me to stay on track, much like it did last year.

So this is the part of the post where I should start listing my “resolutions” and goals for 2011. I had such a hard time figuring out what goals I wanted to achieve this year since I still can’t run and am not sure how long it’s going to be before I can. So I can’t set a “mileage” goal like I did last year. I can’t even set a goal for number of 5ks to participate in. (If you only knew how badly I miss racing…) A part of me is lost…unsure of what direction I’m going or where this year will lead…but as scary as that is…I AM READY. Ready to try new things. To step outside of my comfort zone and take risks…so without further adieu, here are my goals for 2011:

Learn to swim (I am REALLY looking forward to this)
Sign up to do the swimming portion of a triathlon
Sign up to do the biking portion of a triathlon
Post weekly weigh-ins again
Take the 100 Pushup challenge
Take the 200 situps challenge
Take the 200 squats challenge
Develop new recipes for Josweets*
Purchase The New Rules of Lifting for Women and complete it
Complete the Big Ass Photo Project*

* – More details to come later

There are other things I WANT to add to this list…such as, run my first half marathon….and run my first full marathon…and a triathlon! But I can’t commit to those things right now with my foot. So, I’m going to venture out and try new things…such as biking, lifting, and swimming…and if I DO end up running again, then that will just be icing on the cake.

I suppose I’ve written enough for my first blog in almost 3 months! Happy New Year, and I look forward to catching up with all of you!

~~Josie