2012 – The Wrap Up and On to the Next One

As it has been so long since I last posted, I thought I’d just beat the clock and get a year-end wrap up posted before the clock strikes 12 on 2012.

The lack of posts is definitely NOT because I have not been busy working out and meeting my goals – in fact, it is more because I took a break from trying to force the blog posts in order to focus on those goals. This year, I have found a really great place in my weight loss/fitness journey. While I have a goal weight range, I’m no longer concerned about the exact # on the scale. My primary goal is to be fit and healthy. To achieve this goal- I have to continue to work hard and fuel my body purely. If I work on those things, I will achieve that goal eventually. I had posted earlier this year about being frustrated with a plateau. The reality is, I’ve only lost about 5 lbs since then, total. The good news is : 1)have maintained a 70+ weight loss for over 2 years and 2)have accepted that I have to do something different nutritionally if I want different results and 3)I’m capable of WAY more than I ever thought possible physically.

In late April, I decided I wanted to sign up for some races again and fill up my race calendar to be consistent. I had a goal to do at least 1 race per month through the end of the year. That goal meant completing 8 races. I’m very happy to report that I completed 10 and attempted 11!

Here is a quick rundown of my races of 2012:

• 500 Festival 5K Indianapolis - FINISHED
• Dirty Girl Mud Run Indianapolis - FINISHED
• Tap N Run Indianapolis - FINISHED
• The Color Run Indianapolis - FINISHED   
• Ragnar Napa Valley - FINISHED
• Disaster Dash Indianapolis - FINISHED
• Wine at the Line Indianapolis - FINISHED
• Monumental 5K Indianapolis - FINISHED
• Drumstick Dash Indianapolis - FINISHED
• Jingle Bell Run Indianapolis - FINISHED
• Santa Shuffle Half (DNF- 8.5mi completed, injured foot)

I’ve also continued with CrossFit since beginning at the end of May. Today, I ended 2012 with a kick ass WOD at Church of Iron. I was on a workout high for at least an hour afterwards. I love the little CF family I’ve become a part of. Lately, due to work, I’ve not been able to be as consistent with my schedule- but I’m back, and I can’t wait to see what the next 6 months brings.

On that note- the next 6 months. It’s going to bring A LOT!

I have 8, that’s EIGHT, races scheduled between 1/1/13 and end of May.

2 5Ks, a 10K, a 15K, 1 half marathon and 2 Obstacle Course Races (including a Spartan Sprint in April!)

A goal of a minimum of 3 visits to CrossFit each week (sometimes 4).

A renewed focus on my nutrition and feeding to fuel and little else.

While I don’t believe in resolutions that are made to be broken- I commit to being mindful of the goals I’ve set and allowing myself to move on when I momentarily lose sight of them.

What goals have you set this year- and how will you reach them? 

Where's My Mojo?

I know it is easy to say that life gets in the way sometimes- but man, I feel like there are serious forces acting in opposition to my goals. We all have them, really. I know this isn't any different than any human being but I'm hoping that by listing them out- it will help me organize my strategy to push forward.
- work schedule
- kids' schedule
- hubby's schedule
- low energy (see 1st items)
- not getting enough sleep (I control that one- have to do better here).
- not planning ahead
- not sticking to food plans
- have made some progress planning for dinners but then mindlessly snack after dinner, giving in to temptations

There are other, non-regular obstacles- but these are the every day, all the time ones. And they are big- but I have to be stronger than they are. Some of them I use as excuses- but I'm having a hard time really getting a routine going. I still work out at least 3 times a week in some way- sometimes it is all running- sometimes it is running and lifting- but when I was at 5-6 days a week of workouts - it seems like so much less.

I guess we all hit ruts- the weather knocks the energy out of us- and so can life. Sometimes I look at the clutter in my house after a long day and just wrinkle my nose like I Dream of Jeannie and wish it all away. It never disappears, but a girl can try!

Before I left my last job- I had a really great routine going because I had a much more flexible schedule that allowed me to go in early and then get my workout in before picking up my kids - but my new schedule (and TRAFFIC!!) won't allow that now. I also had a group of very supportive people who were all trying to lose weight and get healthy- so we kept each other on track. The new job (at least the first 4 months) have been so incredibly busy that lunches are either scarfed down at my desk or there is a social event (many more than I did at the old job) that is lunch out with a group. I love the new social opportunites and food options- but I'm making less-than-the-best choices, and I know it.

So- I'm recommitting to myself. I'm not typically a "I'll start on Monday" kind of girl- but the truth is, I need to go grocery shopping- and that isn't happening until Sunday- so Monday, it is. I'm going to add 1 day of exercise a week to my goal- so I'm going for 4 weeks of 4 workouts- at least 30 minutes long- and including AT LEAST 2 strength training workouts a week. For the record- this includes the week of our Family Vacation to Myrtle Beach. The condo we have has an exercise room- and we are on the beach! So there is no excuse. I can't promise I'll be completely on track with food at the beach - I haven't had a beach vacation since my honeymoon 7 years ago - but between Monday and vacation- I am going to eat well and within reason. And I will get right back on track after the beach.

I think I feel a glimmer of mojo on the horizon! (Always feels better with a plan!)