A Slow Beginning in the Neighborhood

This evening, I decided to take a quick walk after coming home from work to get in the steps to make my daily goal and take advantage of the pleasant January weather.  I started alow because I was still a little sore and stiff from yesterday's pool aerobic workout.  I took a route close to home so I could walk and get home before dark.  As I walked up a slight hill, I was approaching an older woman walking her 2 dogs.  The dogs weren't big and didn't seem threatening or overly aggressive, so I didn't break my stride and continued on my path.  Well, the lady made what I thought was an unusual move - she stepped off the sidewalk and made both her dogs sit in place.  As I passed her, I looked over my shoulder to see if she and her dogs were still in that same spot or if she had moved on.  Well, not surprisingly, the lady didn't move - she continued to watch me  until I turned the corner - I guess to make certain this black woman dressed in typical exercise wear wouldn't double back and try to do her harm.  The area where I was walking is alongside a relatively busy main thoroughfare.  Additionally, the lady had the advantage of having the 2 dogs with her that she could sic on me.  At first, I thought to double back and graciously tell the woman she had nothing to fear about me. On 2nd thought, I chose not to because she may feel 'threatened' by my presence.  What was funny (at least to me) is that I saw the same woman on my way back home.  This time she started to turn.   As she slowly walking away, she looked over her shoulder to watch me.  I just shook my head in dismay.

Despite this woman's not so subtle actions, I met my step goal - even exceeded it.  No turning around.

NEW YEAR, NEW ME!

New Year is a time for reflection and a time for a fresh start.  And with a fresh start comes the opportunity to try a different approach, a different strategy. This time I'm throwing out the resolutions.

Instead of making resolutions (what I want to do), I'm making declarations (WHAT I WILL DO):

5) Try a new sport activity/fitness class each month

I will:

1) Lose 15 lbs by Valentine's Day (Feb. 14th)

2) Lose 25 lbs by Easter (Apr. 5th)

3) Reach goal weight (175 lbs) by Labor Day

4) Finish a marathon

5) Try a different sports activity/fitness class each month

Also, something new for 2015 - a 'Rememberlutions' jar' - probably best described as a mini time capsule for yourself. So I saw a post on Facebook (from buzzfeed.com - Remeberlutions Jars)- It You use any jar and decorate it to your particular style and taste. Each time something good happens in your life (a promotion, a weight loss, a change in your relationship status, etc.), you drop a note or something to commemorate the event in the jar. You shouldn't limit yourself - anything that's important to you should go into the jar. This way you celebrate yourself through the year. Then on the next New Year's Eve, you open the jar and read all the great things that took place in your life over the course of the year,

Twleve Months of Fitness - My Bucket List for 2014

Well, the new year is here.  This year I'm not making any resolutions.  Rather I have created my bucket list of some sports and activities that I have always wanted to try but haven't done yet.  Each month I will try a new sport or activity - hence my 12 Months of Fitness: 

January – Dance fitness
February – Hula hooping

March– Swimming

April – Tennis

May - Biking

June - Skating

July – Horseback riding

August – Golf

September – Climbing (wall, rock, etc.)

October – Martial arts

November  - Fencing

December – Ballroom dancing

REFLECTIONS

About this time last year (2012), I had a few goals for myself:

1) Lose 50 lbs
2) Look absolutely sexy in my Rock N Roll Goddess outfit
3) Sustain a sub-14:00/mi pace
4) Finish a marathon
5) Learn to swim

With a new year upon us, I'm taking a few moments to reflect on these goals:

1) Lose 50 lbs - I didn't, but I have managed to keep off 15 lbs since the beginning of 2013 when I joined Weight Watchers.  

2) Look absolutely sexy in my Rock N Roll Goddess outfit - Well, since I didn't achieve #1, I haven't attempted to try on this 'little' outfit.


3) Sustain a sub-14:00/mi pace - Serious knee problems during the year (coupled with the lack of weight loss) has not allowed to me attain this goal. 

4) Finish a marathon - I started training to run a half marathon in September (and even considered completing a 'trifecta' - 3 halfs in 3 months), but I had to cut my training short and do therapy due to my knee problems.  So finishing a marathon was not likely this year.

5) Learn to swim - Lessons at the Y aren't cheap (about $100 for members), but still I could have. Given the problems with my knees, this would have been a great workout alternative.

Conventional wisdom tells us to succeed at achieving goals a person may make those goals specific and achievable.  With the exceptions of #3 and #4, these goals would be achievable for me.  So how did I fail?  Another tip of conventional wisdom is to develop a plan to take on your goal. I had plans to achieve the remaining 3 (I joined Weight Watchers to lose weight and I joined the Y so I could get swim lessons at a reduced rate).  But I was not consistent in executing my plan(s).  Admitting to your defeats doesn't make you a failure - it makes you stronger and prepared for greater rewards!

My Goals for 2013 - Road to Progress (July 2013)

1) Lose 50 lbs - although weight has fluctuated, I have been able to keep weight at same level since the 1st of the year.
2) Look absolutely sexy in my Rock N Roll Goddess outfit - still can't wear it, but the year isn't over yet.
3) Sustain sub-14:00/mi pace - pace has been getting increasingly slower (race pace - around 15:00/mi, training pace - around 17:00/mi).
4) Finish a marathon - maybe finishing 3 half- marathons this year will compensate.
5) Learn to swim - signing for lessons at the Y this week.
 

If I Lose 1 Pound a Week ...

Some encouraging words that hopefully get you through the tough times -

This is a journey, not a destination.

(I picked up this bookmark at my last Weight Watchers meeting, and thought I would share it.)