Today I am sitting here drinking a green smoothy as refuge against holiday baking. The other day I had oatmeal cookies and did Jillian's workout and the day before tae bo. And that's how it's going. My plan from my last entry, it's safe to say, will not go into effect until after the holidays and I'm okay with that. All I ask of myself for the next week is to exercise, be mindful, have fun and blog.
I have a lot of new goals for the new years that I will post as soon as I finish my list. But, I have a resolution too. To stop blogging about what I am going to do, but rather, what I am doing. when I don't do something it only makes me feel worse and I just don't want to go down these cycles with myself. Of blogging about what I want to do, not doing it then not blogging because I feel bad for not doing it 100% perfect. I aim so high that I miss the point of the every day tedium and enjoys of getting healthy.
I'm going to stop beating myself up for not blogging so much in 2009. I did a lot. I did a lot that I'm proud of. I had a great year, and I know that 2010 will be even better. I know those pending goals from 2009 will happen in 2010. I know I will be healthier. I feel it coming.
I’ve also fallen into the trap that you have. You post online what you’re going to accomplish and then when you don’t complete it, there’s a double let down - to yourself and to everyone who had read it.
I love your list of goals you posted from early 2009. I was not going to do the new year’s resolutions this year, but after reading your list, I’m rethinking it. My resolutions have always been “diet and exercise” but you have some great ones on your list. I may steal a few of them. I may do a gratitude journal and send random gifts - I love these ideas. Also I would like to start each month with a clean slate by forgiving.
Thanks for your inspiration! Happy 2010!
Tina
Girl, I LOVE your resolution. I, too, make lofty goals and then feel embarrassed when I don’t hit them. I stopped making them public. I still made them, but they are written down in my little book (okay, one of my little books), and I just blog. I think some goals are important to put out there. I LOVED reading your run down of last year’s resolutions. You have done a lot this year! You’re a Mrs. You met Pioneer Woman and Mrs. Potato Head. You put your butt on me. I mean, really? What’s not to be proud of?
Any chance you’ll be in WV and available for brunch on Saturday?
Merry Christmas, Friend!
I am right there with you girl! I am going to stop beating myself up in the next year too. I wrote my goals in a fun way this year. I wrote my letters to Santa and the Grinch both. It is fun to get excited about blogging and getting healthy! Here to the new you in 2010
I agree that sometimes promising something to yourself that other people know about — either through your blog or through your mouth — can sometimes lead to disappointment and feelings of failure. You have to do whatever is best for you, and not worry about explaining yourself. Good luck!
yes, let us all be proactive!
I love your insights into the weight loss struggle. It’s always so hard to keep our goals, but you have definitely accomplished a lot! I just added a Weight Loss/Body Image community on my website, shareWIK (share What I Know) and would love your input! ShareWIK is an online community bringing together people of all areas of expertise so that they can share what they know. Keep up the great work, and we would love to hear from you!
Holidays are tough, no doubt - so much baking and “hanging out” make sure you drink water even warm water with a little lemon and honey can take stabilze a sugar craving. Best of Luck, Julie
You’re right dude, you did a lot this year! And even more good things are on the horizon for 2010. I can feel it in my bones.
Merry Christmas guuuuurl!
I liked this post as I’m also thinking about 2010 goals right now. Maybe small goals is the way to go - then we don’t feel bad if we miss them! Will look forward to seeing your list for 2010.
Ah New Years Resolutions. The bane of my existence. It almost seems like they are “made to be broken”. But alas, I digress, I suppose that taking the “New Year” goals seriously would be a good start.
New Year. New me. I can just feel it.
Fantastic blog by the way!
I had that same sort of thought process this morning. These two weeks will be about being mindful and continuing to exercise. Love your blog btw!
I agree about smaller goals being the way to go, set the bar too high and it can seem impossible to reach them.
But achieve smaller goals and it gives you more confidence to move on to bigger ones.
Just my 2 cents.
Hi,
I think the popular commercial catch phrase “JustDoIt” is the most apt for a healthy lifestyle. Exercising is the key to getting there and I wish you success in the journey getting there in 2010. I lost 60Kg recently with exercising a lot and eating very similar foods to you. In the last 2 months I have also started blogging about my Sports Addiction and Weight loss Maintenance in a diary. I hope can keep it up .Blogging is quite time consuming but puts a great inner perspective on things for me. Here is my Blog if you wish to check it out http://www.spaddict.com .Sp(orts)Addict is what it stands for
It still needs a lot of work but that is even more time consuming as I am sure you know 
Happy Holidays.
Spaddict
Here’s what I’ve done in the past that’s worked. Instead of lots of little goals, one BIG goal and put all my effort into that. One year it was to become a freelance writer, so that was my focus. Another, it was to run a marathon, and I did it. Having one big goal made me focus my efforts and not forget what I was heading towards.
Everyone’s different in how they tackle goals. My only comment would be to not give up those big dreams - maybe they’re long term, but don’t lose sight of them in the process of making and achieving more reachable goals. Don’t short change everything you can be and do!
Glad to have found your blog. I recently started a weight loss/marathon blog and have linked to yours!
Best wishes in 2010 and beyond…
Angela
Hi!! Surfing the web here on Christmas day instead of surfing my fridge…hehehehe…looking for inspiration for the beginning or I should say continuation of my new lifestyle which I will put into action 1st January. No, I’m not gorging myself until then- hahahaha..just picked a start day and I’m excited..can’t wait! 2010 is going to be my year and I’ll be back to be inspired by your efforts…
Merry Christmas from Norway!!
You had a long list for 2009 and yes, you did a lot. I did nothing compared to what you accomplished.
-meream
Hey, I just found your blog (have not read all the way through it so forgive me if I’m not privy to some details re: your chosen diet).
I just wanted to tell you that I’ve been losing weight this year too. I started out at 276 and am now about 230 (December has been a month of maintaining b/c of the food stuffs!). At my heaviest, I’ve been 284. I’m 5′10″ with a frame that’s considered large. I’m pretty densely muscled too. (so that makes me heavier by default!) I’m in a size 16 pant now (weird to me b/c of being 230lbs) but it’s evidence of the fat to lean muscle mass transfer.
Something just has to click in the brain and then you do it. Always has to be for the right reasons and after you get to the bottom of the reasons why you gained weight to begin with. I’ve been doing therapy since late 2007 and found out that I absorb other people’s “stuff” and had blurred boundaries.
Having worked on these issues (and others) I’ve been doing pretty good at not emotionally eating (or boredom eating).
Anyway, I just wanted to pass on that I’ve been doing CrossFit (here in Denver http://www.crossfitverve.com) and practicing The Zone Diet. I’m not usually a fan of a specific diet b/c I feel like if you can’t maintain it and if it’s overly radical, it’s not practical. I feel like The Zone Diet is practical since it really helps spell out portion control and balances hormones (insulin response) by balancing protein, fat and carbs. I also *touch* on the Paleo diet since my fellow gym goers have seen results. I do always try and be mindful of what is maintainable. It comes down to how you can best live your life and succeed.
The benefit of The Zone Diet is that you don’t have to count calories. You do have to measure, however but once you’ve gotten familiar with the portion sizes, you can eyeball some things. There is a list of favorable (fruits/veggies) and unfavorable (grains) items and this helps you quickly figure out stuff.
I’m probably rambling but I wanted to share that I’ve lost about 50lbs since May of this year and I’m really happy with my results. I love my new CrossFit community (it’s a no excuses but very caring community). A lot of people are intimidated by it but I can tell you that I’ve gained so many friends who legitimately give a shit about my success. I love these people and I want others to know about it. Jillian does also include some CrossFit-type exercises in her workouts.
Also, I must share that I received a size XL jacket for Christmas yesterday and I cried. I was SO HAPPY to be in the normal sizes! It really is worth all the hard work. I can do things now that I never could before. I’ve always been athletic but I’m a more functional athlete now. It’s really awesome! I’m just so much more comfortable in every area. Socially, physcially. I still suffer from some left over self-worth issues b/c I’m SO used to not feeling worthy of positive attention. Those scars take time but resisting the descending into emotionally eating to mask the sad feelings is key. I always feel better after the gym as it’s a really focused and intense workout. Nothing else can sneak in b/c you have to concentrate on the task at hand. My fellow gym mates don’t allow negative speak either. The environment is validating but the concentration is on always moving forward. This is very important for me, for sure.
Anyway, you should be very proud of yourself! Congratulations on making the steps to be healthier and happier :). You won’t regret it at all. Take care!
good luck in 2010! i have also set up a blog to jot down my progress for 2010.. i am hoping this will give me to motivation to actually do things this upcoming year. it’s a hard task to get healthy, but well worth it.
I have that problem too. You know the planning addition, I plan and plan and then do nothing!
I’ve started a new blog and plan to do as you have, share my story. I think it’s the best way to lose weight and be healthy. If you share it with the world you tend to not want to let that world down a lot.
That IS a long list! I only had one goal (not weight related) and I did next to nothing on it
This will be a GREAT year for us, I just know it!
Hello
I have really enjoyed reading your blog this week, I stumbled upon it while researching about weight loss. I typed in my current weight (280lbs) and a post from your blog came up! The difference between you and I is that I am so happy to be at 280lbs as I was about 370lbs in March 2009. I didn’t ever think that by the end of the year i’d make it to below 300.
Keep up the good work on your blog and with your weight loss, it will happen! You seem to be knowledgable about what you need to do, and I am sure you will get down to your desired size in time for your wedding (congrats btw!).
I will be reading this blog regularly so keep on writing!
Thanks,
Dave.
Here is to a great new year! I wish you luck on your weight loss endeavors. I will be working on mine as well!
emily
2010 will be great! I started a site to track workout “mileage” if you’d like to join us!
Just ran across your blog and I LOVE IT! I’ll be visting your site more
Here’s to a happy and successful 2010! I just found your blog and I enjoyed reading it.
Hey, I found your blog on some Top Blogs of 2008. I’ll nominate you for 2009 too
Your words are inspiring and motivating. I wish you a happy 2010. I’ve struggled to lose extra fat over years and I’ve spent lots of my time and money lol. Well, talk about empathy. I’ve kept my biggest new year’s resolution in 2009. My new resolution is to maintain my weight. Wish me luck. Reading many blogs, sites and forums nowadays. I’ll be around reading what you say next days. Just keep going!
Hello,
I am a licensed mental health counselor and have had the honor of walking with many people through their food/weight/body image issues. Research says that dieting is not a long-term solution because almost everyone who loses weight gains it all back - plus more! This is because food and weight issues are much more about our hearts and our stories than calories and fat grams. Until we address these issues of the heart, we cannot fight the body image bandit and win. I am writing a book and blog about the causes and how to address them instead of treating the symptoms only. If we don’t work on the causes of our weight/body issues, it is like cutting off a weed at the top. It looks good for a while, but it always comes back. My latest post is called, “Real Reasons for Food Addiction.” I would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks, Cherrie
http://www.cherriemac.wordpress.com
Fannies: Reflectins on Cookie Dough, Life, and Your Derriere
I love it– be proud of what you are doing right now!! I think it’s so much more important that dreaming about what you could do later on… now is the time of doing it, so be proud when you are!
I LOVE this entry…I should do something like that for myself. The year in pictures. Perfect.