_          Sean and I decided to take on a challenge at our Crossfit facility.  For 100 days, we have to do one more Double Under (two rope turns for every one jump) than the day before.  In the beginning, although Sean and I had difficulty with this task, we were able to accomplish our quota because you can do, say, 10 or 11 of anything if you try hard enough.  I actually did a good job keeping up until we hit the 20's. Now you need to know that for every one Double Under (DU) I do, it sometimes takes me 10 or more single jumps in between. So as our DU numbers increase, I am needing to do a huge amount of single jumps to accomplish my goal. Now, added to this is the fact that Sean is finally able to do his DUs quite quickly these days, and since I am super competitive, I am having trouble with the fact that no matter how hard I try, I don't seem to be able to master these and Sean is no longer struggling like me.  I know I should be happy for him, but I am secretly cursing him under my breath as I do my extra jumping time.
          The pinnacle of my frustration occurred on day 26.  The previous day, part of our workout included 2 sets of 48 Double Unders.  In order to encourage us to do our DUs, if we do singles instead of doubles, we have to do triple the number.  No matter how hard I tried, I could not get more than one DU--so I ended up doing 300 singles total that day.  This meant for the first I was not able to meet my daily quota of 25.  In addition, Sean and I had finally returned the rope we had borrowed from the gym, which meant I was using a completely new rope for the first time.  So the next morning I got up at 5:30 AM to ensure I could do my 26 for the day.  I pulled out my new rope and quickly realized that a jump rope can actually be used as a Medieval torture device.  Not only could I hardly do the DUs, but the rope kept hitting me so hard on the same section of my lower back that I still have visible welts as I write this.
          Now I must share I have another bad character flaw in addition to being ultra competitive--I can be extremely stubborn.  When I couldn't accomplish the jumps I wanted, and the rope kept hurting me, I was not going to give in.  I was not going to leave the patio until I had finished my 26.  It was at this point that I actually began to understand what the students I work with feel like when the books they read are too difficult for them.  They work so hard to learn the sound, the words, and yet, when they go to read some books, all that hard work sometimes doesn't seem to pay off.  I had been working every day for 25 days on this skill, and on that 26th day I was almost worse than the day I started.  I have not felt that level of frustration in a long time!
          At one point Sean came out to make sure I was okay--as I wiped the tears of frustration form my eyes, and kept the swear words deep under my breath, I was able to share through gritted teeth, "I HATE DOUBLE UNDERS!"  Forty minutes later, and I am not exaggerating that amount of time, I came into the house having finally been able to do 26.  I was starting to question whether I could keep up with the challenge anymore.
          The next day, I reviewed a Double Under video Sean had shared with me.  It gave steps for how I needed to stand, where the rope should be when I jumped, where to have my hands as they turned the rope.  Today I went out to the patio with a new attitude and some new strategies to try with my Double Unders.  I decided to actually pad my back with a potholder to protect me where the rope seemed to enjoy torturing me (I am determined, but not stupid).  I brought out my music, my water--I was in this for the long haul.  And today, not only did I do the 27 I needed to do, I was able to do the 25 I missed the day I had to do 300 singles.  The best part was--I was done with all 52 in ten minutes.  I still can't do more than one before the rope stops, but I can do them, and that is the most important thing to me.
          There are going to be times on our journeys that we will be faced with some frustrating challenges.  The key is not to give in.  Try a new strategy, start each day with a renewed attitude, be willing to understand that sometimes you have to work hard to get what you want in life.  Never give up on yourself.  No matter how many times you are pushed backward, keep pushing forward.  You are worth the extra effort and time it takes to accomplish your goals.  Be patient with yourself and you can accomplish anything you put your mind to.

_          One year ago today I posted my very first blog to the Flabby to Flabulous Files (click here to read blog #1).  It was an idea I actually dreamed up as I was running 10 miles through the Santa Rosa Plateau, our local nature preserve, and now each week's blog is usually created as I do my miles--it is a great way to make time pass when you are running an hour or more at a time.  Back when I first thought of this idea, I mainly did it to hold myself accountable.  I thought that if I just shared my journey with one other person, I would not slide back to what I was before.
          Forty-seven blogs later, I now have over 100 people reading my posts each week, and I have not slipped back to my old sedentary, over-eating ways.  And I have YOU to thank for that.  I have had people that I didn't even know were reading my posts, telling me how much they enjoy my blog.  I have had people tell me that my blog inspired them to work out or eat healthier.  Because I know you are out there, I am more accountable to making better choices.  On those days when I don't feel like getting up at 5 AM to work out, I do it anyway knowing I will have to share my laziness with you.  When I snack too much, I always confess in the the Flabby to Flabulous Files (FTFF), and I am inspired to make better choices so I can share how you, too, can bounce back from setbacks.
         I will occasionally look back and read my past blogs.  It reminds me how far I have come, but is also a good reminder that I still have a way to go.  I continue to exercise on a regular basis, and I am fitter than I have been in years.  But I still have issues with snacking more than is sensible, and no matter how much I tell myself that weight doesn't matter, I still seem to focus on it more than I should.  Despite that, I know that I am in a good place, and that this new year holds amazing adventures and challenges for me.
          So here's to another year of supporting each other through our journeys to better health.  This year I encourage you to share your struggles and triumphs with me.  I want to bask in your successes, and help you through the difficult days that are sometimes hard to avoid.  Like I said in my last blog, make this the year that you do something that you thought you would never be able to accomplish, and we will get there together--I know we can!

          As we took one final walk down the Monterey Bay beach this morning, it occurred to me that my journey from flabby to flabulous is similar to the ebb and flow of the ocean tide.  Daily I experience highs and lows, and like the tide, it can be due to external forces either pushing with or against me.
          Fortunately, I have many forces pushing me in the right direction.  I have my family who supports me by allowing me the time I need to get my training runs in.  Most weeks I am able to fit my shorter runs in before Eoin gets up, but when that is not the case, my daughter will snuggle with him in bed to ensure he is still getting the attention he needs.  For my longer runs, Sean is often riding his bike up and down our route to be sure I am safe, and his motivational comments along the way are also important, especially as I reach the 10-mile marks.
          Another huge force I have had behind me lately is the group of friends who have been running my training miles with me.  Emily has been our ring leader--leading us through streams, up and down uneven hilly terrain, and through the brush that surrounds our area.  Kay has been our driving force constantly looking for new challenges and up for just about anything--pilates, weight lifting, biking, running...anything.  Gaby, who runs nothing but killer hills everyday, has mastered the art of understatement.  As we were training on the hills near her home, she was continuously describing the landscape as rolling hills--I know rolling and these were plummeting hills...there and back plummeting hills.  Without Gabby's killer 8-10 mile hill runs, I don't think we would be as prepared for the Temecula Half Marathon this Saturday.  As you can see, the roll of the tides has drifted some amazing support in my direction.
          Occasionally the tide pulls us in directions that do not support our journeys.  We will get injuries, stress will cause us to eat unhealthy foods in unhealthy amounts, we will get busy and have difficulty fitting in our exercise--this is part of life and we need to learn to deal with it.  When you are injured, find a new way to move your body.  You might be surprised to find how much you enjoy this new exercise.  When stress causes you to lose control, remember that this is not the end of the world.  I have had days and even weeks like that, but I always remind myself that each meal is an opportunity to start fresh.  And on those days that I have so many obligations that it seems impossible to fit in my running, I make sure and schedule it in as if it is an important appointment.  I have been know to leave my house before 5 AM or even go at night, which I detest more than you can possibly imagine.
          One of the things that struck me this morning about the ocean is that no matter what, the tides continue to roll in and out.  The ocean never quits.  Good or bad, high or low, you can always come out to the beach and watch the waves do their thing.  We need to stubbornly power on like the waves, because the reward is priceless--a long healthy life spent surrounded by those that loved and supported you along the way. 

          Several times a week I get an email to articles on the Livestrong website.  Lately, one of my favorite authors on that site is Adam Bornstein who happens to be their Editorial Director.  In fact, he authored the new year article I linked you to that had been so motivational to me.  This recent article I read has left me really questioning that maybe we need to be careful thinking that there is ONE secret way to losing weight and being healthy (click here to read the Bornstein article The Dirty Diet Lie).
          For those of you that want the abridged version, he basically shares that he has know for a while that he was wrong in telling others that in order to lose weight they MUST eat breakfast, but waited to share this because it was hard to admit he had made a mistake.  But the article is much deeper than that.  The point, as I see it, is that anytime we set rules for exactly what we must do to lose weight, we run the risk of breaking those rules and then feeling guilty, which can then lead to frustration.
          So, his suggestion is that you listen to your body and what it needs.  For example, I have added breakfast to my day, but I do not do so in the conventional way.  Many experts will say you must eat within one hour of waking up or risk being ravenous.  My body is different.  I find that if I eat that early, and remember I am up by 5:30 AM on most days, I am starving the rest of the day.  Therefore, I pack my breakfast and eat at 9 or 10 when I am actually hungry.  Now this might not work for you, because you might be someone who needs the fuel first thing in the morning.  Listen to your body, and over time you will get a feel for what works for you.
          I will say, when you are first starting your journey toward the healthier you, you may have to read and follow the advice of others until you actually have your eating under control.  I know in the beginning I was pretty sure I was starving all the time, but once I realized how much food I actually needed to survive, I was better able to tailor my eating to fit my needs.  Now, I eat three meals a day, have two snacks (well I try to be good, but this one is challenging), and I have been able to maintain my current weight loss for over a year now.
          I think this goes for your exercise too.  As you all know by now, running is my go to way to get my body moving and pump that blood through my body.  Now, many of you do not feel like I do about running.  If you try to do something you hate, it is difficult to maintain that for very long.  You do need to move your body, but what you do is up to you.
          In fact, today we started our day, not by running, but jumping rope by the beach knowing that our big exercise would be later in the day.  When the teacher conference finished, the entire family jumped on our bikes and rode 4 miles over to Cannary Row for lunch and another brief trip to visit the sea animals at the aquarium.  The scenery along the way included sand dunes, the waves breaking on the bay, sea lions and otters, and gorgeous landscape both man-made and natural.  What an amazing way to spend the afternoon with my family!
          Today we were also able to head out to Santa Cruz for a dinner on the pier and a trip to our favorite ice cream place in the world. I think once you figure out how to spread your calories out over the day, and how to fit some exercise in as well, you can have the occasional indulgence like a scoop of the most delicious Oatmeal Raisin ice cream.  After all, life is too short to not eat some of the things you love.  Remember it is about balance as stated in my Day 1 blog.  You want to live life to the fullest, but you want to live long enough to live a full life.  

          If you have never been to Monterey Bay, CA, to visit, I want you to know that you are really missing out.  Over the years we have realized that this vacation destination is perfect for our family for many reasons.  First of all, the kids absolutely love coming here--the 21 year-old, the 15 year-old, and especially the 4 year-old.  We go to a hotel, Best Western Beach Resort, that is not fancy, but the rooms are clean and cozy, and it sits right on the beach facing Monterey Bay.  The kids like that they can go down to the restaurant without us while we are running/biking, love the pool spa area, and even enjoy just sitting on the deck or on the beach reading.  The hotel is within biking distance of the aquarium, Fisherman's Wharf, and Cannery Row, so there is lots to do. Eoin loves the Hank Ketcham (Dennis the Menace) Park that has an actual train for the kids to climb on.  This was Eoin's exercise today--train climbing and running between and up and down more than eight separate playground climbing structures.
          Sean  and I love it here because every season of the year in Monterey is perfect for playing outdoors (click here to see my summer Monterey blog--My Flabulous Vacation).  In the summer, we can escape the 100 degree Murrieta weather, because Monterey seems to consistently have temperatures in the 50-80 degree range.  In the winter, it is cool, but warm enough to go for a run or bike ride around the bay.           
          The other great thing about Monterey are the continuous bike/running paths that go around the entire bay.  This morning I set off for a early morning run, and Sean took his bike out for a spin as well.  The paths are safe, challenging (hilly), and the view can't be beat.  I love running into the sunrise on my morning runs at home, but if you add the sparkling water, and waves crashing in the background, there is nothing like it.  Sean was actually able to ride his bike to the teacher conference today, which gave him some extra exercise miles and saved him the aggravation of finding a parking space as well as a few dollars in parking fees.
          We also love the delicious but healthy food choices in Monterey.  The restaurant at our hotel, along with a spectacular view of the bay, has many good food items on their menu, including the veggie egg white omelet with fresh fruit and sliced tomatoes I had for breakfast.  It was filled with artichokes, mushrooms, eggplant, spinach, and cheese, so I did not feel I was missing out at all.  For dinner we went down to the wharf for some seafood.  Sean and I both had grilled seafood and vegetable plates--delicious!  I love when we don't really have to choose between what is healthy and what tastes good.  And when you get to eat delicious, healthy food while watching sea otters frolic in the ocean, you are truly living the good life.
        However, sometimes even in this wonderful place and despite the progress I have made, my old negative tendencies can come back to intrude, trying to spoil a great experience.   This happened tonight while we were eating our healthy seafood dinner.  At the booth behind us was a mother and father with their college-aged daughter.  I was trying not to listen, but as they were catching up, something they said caught my attention.  The parents asked her about her weight and she was sharing how she had gotten so heavy at college that she had actually reached 145 pounds and was wearing size 8 clothes.  I was amazed at the coincidence that her exact heaviest weight was my final healthy goal weight, but I was more amazed at the fact that it really bothered me for a minute that they thought 145 was heavy.  However, when I turned around and saw she was about 5 feet tall, I realized I had again been tricked by the whole numbers game. When I shared this with Sean, he pointed out I had done the same thing to him the previous night.  I was stating that it was sometimes frustrating having the same 20-25 pounds to lose, and there he stood before me having a good 50-70 pounds left on his journey.
          So even in a place that my family sees as a paradise, even after having exercised and made amazingly good food choices, my neurotic focus on the numbers still found a way into my brain.  I have come a long way both physically and mentally, but everyday it becomes clearer to me why I need to remember that it is not solely about the specific weight.  It is about making a life-long change that has me focusing on being healthy, making sure my family grows up with healthy habits, and that I am around to see my kids do the same for their families.

          In honor of the almost one-year anniversary of my first ever Flabby to Flabulous Files blog, I am going to attempt a four-day weekend/four-day blog.  We happen to be in Monterey Bay for a teacher conference, and I find being away from home to be more difficult, because it can be difficult to find healthy meal choices, and the hotel gym, like the one where we are staying, can sometimes not be ideal for actual workouts.  Luckily, Sean and I like to play outdoors, so that is how we chose to get our fitness in today.
          After attending the sessions at the conference, we decided we needed to work out before dinner.  For us, working out after is never a good idea.  We usually go to Crossfit on Fridays, but leaving our house before 5 AM this morning for our drive to Monterey made this impossible today.  The Workout of the Day (WOD) at Crossfit is always posted on their website, so we decided to do a modified version.  We warmed up in the gym by running on the treadmill, doing sit-ups, stretches, and doing our daily double under jump ropes.  The rest was a little trickier.  We decided to skip the weight lifting portion and go straight to the WOD because the weights at the gym were not good for push jerks.  So off we went to the beach-side deck to tackle the WOD: squats, box jumps, push ups, and a 125 meter run (first 21 each, then 15, then 9).
          The amazing part of today's workout was that we were facing the sunset over the bay at this point.  We would do our squats, then our box jumps onto the second step of the deck, suffered through push-ups, then ran down the stairs onto the beach, up to the water, then back up again before staring on the next repetition.  I was beat by the end, but the scenery was amazing and having my husband by my side made it even better.
           Tonight, we went to a restaurant with eclectic decor called The Whole Enchilada.  The food is amazing and the atmosphere even better.  They even had guitar music to entertain the guests while they waited for a table.  One thing I am learning on my journey, is that when we are on vacation, I cannot completely deprive myself of the yummy food that is available.  I just have to be smart about my choices. Sean and I shared a margarita...I hate to drink my calories so this was a big splurge for me.  We shared a steamed artichoke with balsamic dressing and salsa as an appetizer,.  It tasted decadent, but was a very healthy alternative to most fried appetizers. 
          For my actual dinner, I decided that I really wanted a tamale.  This is not always the best choice, but like I shared earlier, sometimes you need to have what you want so you do not feel deprived.  I had the sweet corn tamales, but they were covered in a tomatillo salsa instead of a cream sauce.  I also only ate one, saving the other for lunch tomorrow, and I asked them to substitute a side salad for the rice and beans.  I had what I wanted, I just made smarter choices.
          I am determined to get this last 20-25 pounds off before my 45th birthday in June.  In order to do this I have to make some sacrifices--exercising instead of extra sleep, and watching my snacking between meals.  But if I want to keep this weight off I also have to learn how to have fun sometimes.   Like most things in life, balance is a key to success.  Going to extremes--either by over indulging or over depriving oneself--will only lead to failure.  So tonight, we had a margarita, good food, but we also got in a good workout and made reaonable food choices.  Balance.

_            This week I decided to take my children to Knott’s Berry Farm as a final hurrah before we head back to school after winter break.  Now I did not expect Knott’s to be a place where I could easily find healthy food.  After all, this is the place that I most closely associate with having the best fried chicken, biscuits with butter and berry jam, and funnel cake with boysenberry sauce.  Notice I don’t even mention the rides—it’s usually all about the food for me. 

            This time was different. I had packed portion-sized snacks, and I had my water bottles so I wouldn’t be tempted to have any of the calorie-heavy extras that were readily available at every turn.  My daughter Siobhan and I had decided to get a salad, but believe it or not, every restaurant and food stand we went to had run out of salads.  We finally located one final café where they had one chicken Caesar salad left, which we just decided to split.  Obviously, eating more salads was high on the list of this year's health-oriented resolutions.

            When I shared this experience with my friend Kay on one of our morning runs, she told me that she had had a similar experience on her weekend bike ride.  A path that was normally empty was filled with runners and bikers.  And if you go to the gym at this time of year, you will notice it is more difficult to get on your favorite equipment.  January is clearly a month devoted to healthy initiatives.

            But come February, experience tells me that the running and bike paths will be less crowded, there will be no waiting for the gym equipment, and Knott’s will not be out of salad at their food stands and restaurants.  Why?  Because people make resolutions for the New Year, are soon faced with a challenge or a back slide, and then promptly give up on themselves.  Why is it that we give up on ourselves so easily?

            One of my theories is that the goals we set for the year are either too lofty or not specific enough.  For example, when we resolve to be healthier, what does being healthier mean?  Does that include eating better and exercising more? If so, what does eating better even mean, and how many days per week exercise are you shooting for? Five? Six? Maybe seven?

            What I would like to encourage you to do is to take baby steps by setting short-term goals for yourself.  It is when we try for those giant steps that we are more likely to face failure.  If eating healthier is your long-term goal, then set-up some short-term steps to get there.  Maybe you could start with making sure to drink enough water each day to keep you hydrated and curb your hunger (click here for a hydration calculator).  Once that has become a habit, and habits can take as little as two weeks to form, set another short term goal like eating 2-3 vegetable and fruit servings each day, eating a healthy breakfast (for those of you that skip this meal), packing your snack and/or lunch for the week, cutting back on your artificial sweeteners, etc.  If you only focus on one smaller thing at a time, you will experience more success and be less likely to throw in the towel when faced with an obstacle.

            If exercising more is what you want to focus on this year, again, set small goals that lead toward your long term one.  If you are hoping to build up a life-long habit of working out 4-5 days a week, start with 1-2 days to begin with, or start with something even easier like parking at the far end of the parking lot at work or taking the stairs instead of the elevator.  As these things become easier for you, add a little more time each day, or add an extra day each week.  When I decided to run a half-marathon, I did not just go out there and begin running 3-4 miles at a time; I did 3-4 minutes running mixed in with 10 minutes of walking.  As time went on and the exercise became easy for me, I increased my time running, and then I increased my miles.

           As I shared in my last blog, I am really proud of what I have accomplished with my exercise in 2011, but the eating was a bit of a struggle.  While I didn’t gain weight, I just didn’t lose any pounds, which is frustrating since I am the author of The Flabby to Flabulous Files blog and feel I should be demonstrating how weight-loss is achievable.  Rather than dwelling on this, I have instead chosen to focus on the fact that I am stronger, I am fitter, and my clothes are fitting better than they were one year ago.  That being said, I won’t lie: I really want those last 25 pounds off.  This week I came across a great article that truly inspired me, gave me the motivation to move on, and I hope it will do the same for you.  My favorite section I have include below, but I really encourage you to read the full article—it is short, sweet, and to the point (The 1-Step Success Plan):

             We want to make 2012 the year of success. This is the year where you become UNSTOPPABLE. But change doesn’t start with making a list of resolutions, finding a great workout, or finally settling on a diet.
             It begins with a hard look in the mirror and a determination that your health is worth fighting for. It’s time to unleash the limitless potential of YOU. Take the first step, don’t accept failure as an option, and you’ll remember 2012 as the year when you uncovered your best.

- Adam Bornstein

            Another helpful resource I came across this week was Hungry Girl’s tips for starting the new year out on the right foot.  One of my favorite tips is “ditching the ‘diet’ mentality.”  I try to leave the word “diet” out of my vocabulary.  To me this word means short-term change, and I am in this for the long haul.  In addition, avoiding anything with the word “die” in it is probably a good idea anyway.  The second tip I would like to share is her 80/20 rule—be careful what you put into your body 80 percent of the time, and then the other 20 percent can be time for you to have some splurge meals.  I am still careful not to eat foods that trigger me to binge, but if I really want a piece of my friend Kathy’s peanut butter fudge, I have it.  If not, I will dream about it, make my own, and then end up eating much more than just one piece.

            So as you go out there this month trying to make healthy lifestyle changes, remember to set short-term goals so that you can feel the success of making positive changes in your life.  Be good to yourself, don't let small steps backward take your focus off what you are trying to achieve.   How badly do you want this?  Are you worth fighting for?  If so, don’t let small set-backs allow you to give up on yourself.   Keep your eye on the prize—a more healthy you in 2012 and beyond.

             Speaking of small changes, in 2012 I will be adding a new feature to some of my weekly blogs--a male perspective.  My husband will be sharing some food and exercise tips that will hopefully appeal to the men out there who, like Sean, face their own struggles with health and fitness, but may not be especially motivated to read something with "Flabby to Flabulous" in the title.  It will also give us a chance to share the importance of working together as a couple to support our health goals while at the same time respecting the individual differences in our approaches to becoming leaner and fitter.  Right now, Sean's trying to figure out a good blog name that might hook the male reader--maybe "From Lard Body to Hard Body"? We would appreciate any ideas for the name or thoughts as to whether you or your significant other might be interested in a resource like this.  Looking forward to hearing from you.

_            Having survived the Thanksgiving stuffing time and the Christmas/New Year sweet overload weeks, I would like to look back at how far I have come in the last six years, and especially in the last twelve months.  It is this progress that will remind me that it is not just about today but primarily about the long-term gains.  It is difficult for me to find any pictures of myself when I was at my heaviest as I was always volunteering to take the photo, rarely in the photo.  I am an avid family photo taker, yet I spent hours just trying to find one photo that included me in it from this period of time.  The photo you see to the left is one of the only ways I would ever let anyone take a picture of me—if I hid behind someone.

            Fast forward to today and I am happy to document my progress by volunteering to be a subject in my photos.  Why?  Because for the first time I feel fit, strong, and I am not ashamed of my body.  I may not be the skinniest person out there, but that is not the focus of my journey.  I know that I will always have my little stomach pooch (two c-sections ensure that will never go away), my thighs will continue to have more cellulite than I would like, and my J Lo butt will continue to trail behind me.  These things will never change, and I have resigned myself to this fact.  However, I am eating healthier food, I am keeping myself hydrated, and I am extremely proud of my exercise achievements in 2011. 

            In this blog I want to share how far I have come from that 231-pound sedentary person I once was by sharing my exercise totals for 2011:

_          As you can see, while running is my preferred exercise, when I found myself plagued by an overuse injury, instead of just going back to my old habit of sitting around, I added biking, swimming or walking which allowed me to alleviate the injury while still keeping fit.  It is important to the continuation of my journey that I don’t let excuses get in the way of my progress.  Now I say this very cautiously because another thing I learned this year was that I do need to listen to my body when I am sick or injured and take the time to rest.  I learned this the hard way and ended up flat on my back for three days wishing I had only taken the time to get better.

         Another thing I learned this year after running in more challenging obstacle races was that I needed to increase my upper body strength and not focus so heavily on the running.  In November I started going to Crossfit Inland Valley 3-4 days a week and I cannot believe how much stronger I have gotten in this short amount of time.  Today I did 450 jump ropes and 150 sit ups, and while my time to finish this challenge was not great, the fact that I actually completed it was amazing considering where I was even two months ago.  I also back squatted 85 pounds, which is not much for most people, but I honestly never thought I could lift anything close to this.  I now see that I will be able to lift much more in 2012 with the guidance and encouragement of my coach Al, who I appreciate more than he can imagine.

         Because I am such a social person, another thing I learned in 2011 was that I am a lot more motivated to do my exercise and work harder when I have other people around me.  I could not have achieved so much this year without my husband Sean and my friends keeping me company along the way.  It was fitting that on New Year’s Eve, I decided to do an 8-mile, extremely hilly run with my friends Emily, Kay, and Gabriella to end 2011.  When I thought I couldn’t go up even one more hill I would look ahead at Emily and Gabby and they would encourage me to keep going.  If I looked behind me I saw Kay, who runs at a steady pace and ran almost the entire 8 miles without walking once.  I am so thankful for this support and hope to continue our running dates in 2012.

_          I have proven to myself that I am NEVER going back to what I was—I am in control.  So I am saying, “Ciao, sayonara, hasta la vista ba-bee,” to the old me, and I am looking forward to the challenges that the coming year has for me. 

Bring it on 2012!