I have a resolution!

Yup. I have been thinking about this journey and what my resolution can be this year. I think I finally came up with one. First, I thought about how far I have come. When I began in July in 2008, I could never have imagined that I would be where I am now. I just wanted to weigh less. Mission accomplished there.

I am at a healthy weight for my frame, build and height (took me a bit to realize that - I have felt the need to lose for so long it is hard to change my mind set). So I am not setting any goals there. I would be thrilled to lose another 10 pounds but I will still be happy if I never lose another pound.

I am at a size I have never been. Size 10. I am still in shock. I do not think I can go any smaller and I am ecstatic about this size. So no goal there.

I workout everyday. I walk/run with the dogs everyday. I do weight training quite a bit. I can run. I feel pretty fit. I exercise more than anyone I know. I do not have any big aspirations to run a marathon or compete in a triathlon (partially because I do not want to commit and get pregnant and not be able to finish). So no goal there either.

That really only leaves my diet. Here it is friends. I resolve to cook a healthy recipe once a week. I know it sounds like I never cook but my husband grills chicken and I make a lot of salads. It is just easy. I think it will be on Sundays. Not always new recipes but at least twice a month I want to try something new. I think that is reasonable. We will see how it all works out. I will share the results with you.

My other resolution is to be more patient with the kids at school. Not that I am short-tempered and mean, just that I could be more tolerant. Guess what? I made it all day yesterday being pretty nice. I am impressed. We will see how today goes.

Hope you all have a terrific Tuesday!

I Accomplished 1 Thing in 2009

Yup. That's right. 365 days and I accomplished 1 thing.

I MADE MYSELF A PRIORITY. FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE, I PUT ME FIRST.

Every other thing I have done this year has stemmed from that one accomplishment. At first I was nervous about it. I thought that best bud or hubby would be mad or hurt or feel less important. Nope. I was wrong. They were super encouraging and always let me make time for the gym or would eat things based on what was best for my diet. I just love them. I want to squeeze them til their heads pop off. Okay, maybe not that tight.

If you are afraid to do this one simple thing to accomplish your goals, I suggest you give it a try. I even switched the school I worked at. I started over. I moved everything. I had to start at square one with co-workers. It has not been super easy (I really miss my old buds) but it was to make more time and less stress for me.

Because of these things, I have more confidence. I was able to say goodbye to my personal trainer and still be successful (giving me lots more cash in my pocket). I lost another 75 pounds. I went from a size 20 to a size 10. I love to shop now (like I did today and bought lots of stuff). I completed the Mud Run - including every obstacle. I am so proud of that. I am also now able to eat something bad for me (say maybe a Big Mac on the way home from Christmas last week - maybe) and know I will not regain 115 pounds from that one meal. And to tell you the truth, I did not regret it or feel fat after.

I have learned. I can do this. Everyday. With every choice. My attitude has changed the most this year. It isn't all or nothing. It is just give and take. It has to be or you cannot stick with it.

Well with that, I will finish getting ready for the New Years party I am about to attend (I shall eat pizza but not drink alcohol so I can drive - see give and take - and tomorrow I will run like I did today). Thank you all for being such great friends this year. I am truly grateful for you, your blogs and super hilarious comments.

Cheers to us and our successes in the year to come!