At each New Year, it's common to reflect on how far you've come, and where you want to go next. I want to challenge you personally to spend a few minutes looking at your physical self, and thinking up a goal you'd like to work toward in the coming year. Maybe it's a new hobby. Maybe a new skill. What will you do with 2008 to improve your fitness?

It doesn't have to be huge. Maybe your goal is just a little one. It's not the goal so much, as the forward movement. So look at where you are and then dream a little...

Losing weight is a huge accomplishment, but fitness was the original goal for most of us. So now, think up something that you have always craved to do, and make 2008 the year that you do this for yourself.

It takes courage to say what your dreams are out loud, but this is a safe haven, so put your fears to rest and don't hesitate to make your goal public!

My goal: increase my running distance each week for the duration it takes to get me up to regular runs of 13 miles at a time. That looks big. It IS big. But I can and will do it. And now that it's public, there's no turning back... Here I go!

I'll keep you posted...

How cool that this is the first post I've been able to look at since the holidays began! Yesterday as I was beginning to take down some of the Christmas decorations, I was hit with a pit in my stomach that the dreaded New Year's Resolution was coming quickly upon me. Then I went shopping to redeem a gift card I was given, and it hit me that this year I won't have to dread the new year!! I am a success!

For the first time in my life, I am lighter, fitter, and happier than I have ever been! You see, I had my surgery on January 11th last year, and I have far exceeded anything I ever thought was possible! So...before I make my new goals, I wanted to share with my precious neighbors that last year's goals have been met! I feel empowered! For once in my life I accomplished my New Year's resolution and I am ecstatic!

This year I will walk into the New Year confident that whatever goals I set for myself, I CAN DO IT!

Right on, Michelle! That's the spirit. I know last year at this time, I was so happy as I realized that losing 100 pounds was NEVER GOING TO BE MY NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION AGAIN!!! I felt free!

But now what? Life goes on, and having a focus will keep the thrill alive. Michelle, I'm thrilled for you. Way to go!

We are free at last! Time to celebrate.

I DO have NEW exercise goals!! I KNOW that I must work harder to achieve the body I want...only i'm not waiting till New Years..I have already begun!

I said since I was off work till Jan. 2nd that I was going to make it to the GYM and do a MUCH better harder workout and I HAVE!

It makes me feel better but at the same time...I JUST KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON!!!

GO TEAM GO!!

I decided last night during live chat that I am going to be a cheerleader because I was too fat to do it when I was young. So... Rah! Rah! Rah! Congratulations to you who have met your weight goal!!!

I don't usually do New Year's Resolutions because I always break them. This year is different. In 2008 I will be transforming from a fat little caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly. I will achieve my weight loss goal, by following the nutrition & exercise plan given by my surgeon's office, and be a healthier person. I will also begin a structured exercise routine. I am beginning with riding my stationary bike 15 minutes 3 times per week. I will increase the duration and add more walking on the other days of the week as the weight comes off. I don't know yet what my end goal for the exercise will be, but this will be a good start.

Happy New Year to us all!

@ BeJean: I'm so excited for you--you're in the most amazing part of the journey, and nothing could be sweeter than this victory you're working on. When I met goal, I realized that of all of my life's goals, this losing the weight was the one I worked on longer than any other!!! It took me more than 30 years to make goal. Believe me, I'm YOUR cheerleader (if only by little grahic icon)!!!

I think that being a cheerleader (literally) would be great exercise! Try to do it every day!!! All that kicking and screaming and leaping would really give you a great looking body. So I say, "Just do it!" hugs...

Go Julie Go! You've inspired many many people in 2007 with your loss of all the regained weight. You're what this neighborhood is all about! Whatever you're doing, it's working! Rock on, my sistah!

It's hard to set specific new exercise goals for me. I always plan to improve my fitness level, to work out better and smarter. In 2007, with these goals in mind, I made the following changes to my routine:
1. Increased the weights I use for strength/toning workouts;
2. Increased workout length: was 50-55 minutes 6x/week, 40-60 minutes of active rest on day 7; now 60-65 minutes 6x/week with same active rest day 7;
3. Added 3 or 4 evening sessions/week of cardio 20-30 minutes;
4. Regularly do "guy" pushups.

In 2008 I would at least like to further increase my weights and incorporate more Pilates/yoga work into my routine.

Judy

Way to go Judy! I've heard wonderful things about Pilates. I have a niece who does this with a trainer, and her muscles are gorgeous! I like yoga too, but I'm lousy at it. And guy pushups and pullups are two of my goals this year too. I want to increase 100% in this department. Get this: 1 pull up and 10 guy pushups! Hey, it's a start!!!

Sandi, what a great way to prepare for that dreaded New Year's Resolution! Every year for more years than I can count, my goal was to lose 100 pounds. Since I am already at 81 pounds lost thanks to this incredible life changing surgery and the help of the neighborhood, I can and WILL meet this goal in 2008! Of course, there will be no stopping there until I get to my personal goal. For the New Year as far as fittness goes, I am going on January 2nd and renew my membership to Curves. I will still do my walking tapes and weather permitting, walk in the neighborhood cause I love walking. I will also be back in the pool when the water warms up! So fitnesswise, I have great plans for 2008.

My focus last year, at least from July 31st on was to get the weight off and learn to follow the rules. This year, my focus will be to get in better shape physically! Can't do better for myself than that!

Celadon,

Do you find that Curves is enough exercise for you? I also belong and when my knee isn't acting up I try to go 3-5 times a week. My surgery is schedules for 1/14/08 and once I recover I planned on going back to Curves and also doing water aerobics at least a couple times a week. Do you think this will be enough exercise? Also any ideas how long after surgery before I can start back up to Curves? Any other neighbors belong to Curves?

Denise

@Celadon: you WALK in the NEIGHBORHOOD??? ! Wow! That's a good trick, I can only type here! Isn't it so cool that the dreaded 100 pound resolution is a thing of history? WoooHOOOOO!

@ Denise: I think Curves is a great place to start. If it moves you, and gets you moving, that's great! At the beginning I could barely dance around my living room...Sheesh! I can hardly believe that girl was me now. If you back Curves with water aerobics you'll be well on your way to getting the results you crave! Party on.

On January 7th, I'm starting a swimming class ! It's Monday - Thursday from 6:30am - 8am. I am excited and scared to death. It's at the community college and I don't really know what I am getting myself into! It's called "Swimming for Fitness" and that's what I want, so I'm doing it!!!! My goal is to make it through the semester and pass the class.

Sandi , I knew someone would have that reaction when I said I walk in the neighborhood! Too funny!

As for Curves, it is a great place to ease back into more than just walking. Good cardio exercise. I wouldn't suggest that you start too soon after surgery. Remember that you need time for your insides to heal. I may have waited longer than most but I never had surgery of any kind before and wanted to be sure that everything was okay before I did anything even remotely strenuous. Then I realized that I have been throwing around 40 pound bags of salt pellets for a couple of months so I should certainly be able to go back to Curves!

Good for YOU, Gretchen! Swimmers have beautifully sculpted muscles...I think you'll love the results of your class...

Celadon: that's a lot of salt! Were you making deviled eggs??? Yep, I'm in total agreement: Curves is a great option. Carry on, but maybe you should reduce the amount of salt you're using?

It takes a very special person to be in such a humorous frame of mind so early in the morning! I love your sense of humor! FYI, the salt is pellets for our water system. Those of us that live in the boonies and outside of city water supply have to keep our own water system clean. I wouldn't have it any other way! No chlorine or chemicals in my water!!!! Have a great day Sandi!

Hi Everyone

Well as I've posted before I doing my first triathlon on 12 January. I hope to do a few more before the end of the local multisports calendar which finishes at the end of April. I have been a bit slack in the training department lately but I started getting back in to the action again at the end of last week.

Thanks Judi for mentioning Pilates. I might give this a ago. Since I've lost 88 pound with another 42 to get to my goal I think it's time to add some strengthing stuff to my regime.

As for Curves, I started back at Curves 3 weeks after my surgery. Took it slowly for the first week or so but was soon back to my pre-op working level. Mind you, I was going to Curves 3 times a week for 2 months prior to my surgery so it wasn't new to me.

Good luck to everyone for your new goals for 2008. Can't wait to hear about all the accomplishments.

Barbara

We have a family membership to our local YMCA and I haven't been there since I broke my ankle in July, so my goal for this year is to start going back!!

Dagnabit....I hate it when I type a long thought out response and then submit and it won't go through....*sigh*

I'll try again....

Sandi....I love your goal! We've discussed this before and you know what mine is. I still think girlie that we need to get to to San Diego in June to do this with me AND I can't wait to meet Damon there. I am here to support your 13 miles in any way I can....YOU CAN DO IT!

I am right now in a toxic carb mode and feel like a lethargic slug. I am doing another 5DPT starting on 1/2/08 to get back in touch with my pouch and to detox from carbs. My goal is to keep up with training to make my 26.2 mile goal on June 1. I will be keeping a workout and food diary and hopefully I'll take the time to journal my physical and emotional status through the next 6 months.

Barb....good luck with the thriatholon! I am so proud of you!!!

Stephanie

I am setting a goal for myself that I use the program my friend bought me for Christmas each and everyday without excuses since I haven't been able to get to the gym like I would like to..

Good luck in making your goal of 13 miles

Okay.....here goes...in writing.

I want to end 2008 with a healthy lifestyle as a habit. Specifically:
1. Exercise 3 X/week minimum with strength training and cardio. I want to have at least 2 activities I can do and enjoy for cardio workouts (right now it's just swimming).
2. Cook for myself and my son 5/7 nights...real food from healthy recipes (eliminate most canned veggies and fruit, use frozen and fresh foods primarily).
3. Spend more time being active with my son. Be a role model for him of making a healthy lifestyle a priority.

ITM

Celadon, thank you for not getting angry and fed up with my lame-oh attempts to amuse you.

Stephanie, I'm not giving up on San Diego--I may just have to up my goals... I'm just so darn lazy. It would be worth it to see Damon again, he's a real inspiration.

Hi Marta, I'm rootin' for you too--whatever the program that the friend gave you for Christmas is (hope it's not illegal!). Getting in shape, exercising regularly is not always fun, but the results are SO worth it.

Update #1:

I know that I'm inspiring even my husband. He told me tonight (we took LambChop to the High School track), "Bun, I think you could do a 5K right now." I replied, "I know I could do that, I've been doing that out in the woods." He said, "Glad that you said that, I signed you up for one in February."

YIKES! Just like that I'm signed up for my first competitive running event since high school (30 years)!!! Oh my gosh. I'm skeeert!

Help!

Sneaky . . . vewy sneaky . . . and . . . I luv it!

An old friend of mine, whom I'd lost contact with due to moves over nine years ago, called me yesterday afternoon. What a wonderful surprise! It would take too long to explain how she got my number. lol She's nearly 60-years-old, has had several hernia operations, and is 350+ pounds and miserable. She'd been told a bit about my WLS journey and called because one of her docs wants her to have WLS. I shared highlights and promised her a letter within the next couple of weeks, as she doesn't have e-mail. Now on page four, I'm amazed, proud, and grateful for all I accomplished in 2007: 1st 1/2 marathon~March, 12K~May, and 1st marathon~November. I met the goals set and have decided this year's goals will be about increasing speed. My fastest pace so far was a 12.5 minute mile. I'd like to be running a 11.5 minute mile by the close of 2008. The plan is to run three days, cardio three days--alternating every other day, and rest Sundays each week.

I have a unique opportunity in that I'm registered for a 1/2 marathon mid-March and can run a 2nd 1/2 marathon in the same area sometime in September. This post gives me the umph to register for that second 1/2 marathon. My goal will be to improve my time in the second 13.1-mile run--if only by five minutes.

PS: Running will resume when restriction is lifted by surgeon. This year's Christmas present was a reduction mammoplasty--compliments of my insurance. I'm four weeks out and definitely wouldn't be able to run right now. Who would have ever thought I'd miss exercising. LOL!

Hi Savanah, Thanks for the update! Congrats on the really big Christmas present, and thank you for sharing your list of 2007 runs you've done. I needed to hear that just now. I'll quit my whining, but I've just gotta say that in doing my goals for this year, I'll be facing several "fears" of mine that I thought were conquered a long time ago...

Hope your friend does well with her surgery.

Hey...good for DH on doing that for you...heaven's knows, it could have been another YEAR had we left it to you! ;-)

Because of this, I'm going to go online and sign up for my Valentine run that I did last year. That was right before my aug...I remember it to be a wonderful trail!

Thanks for the inspiration...who else is signing up for a 5k in February? There is one in just about every state, I'm sure of it!

Sweet of you to wish my friend well. She's in the very beginning phase of her journey, and I'm hoping the best for her.

A wise woman once gave me some wonderful advise about fear when she said, "Face it head on!" She said she'd meet an intruder face-to-face with a bat in her hand before she'd hide in a corner. That wisdom has served me well! What's that the Abominable Snowman sang . . . "Put one foot in front of the other, and soon you'll be walking "cross the flo-o-or, put one foot in front of the other, and soon you'll be marching out the door." Okay, it was something like that. Either way, I think you get the message. A journey truly begins with one step. I feel the first step is to believe you CAN do it! Believe in yourself. Believe you ARE capable, and then build on your successes no matter how small they seem. Like Fantasia's song says, "I believe in the impossible, if I reach deep within my heart. Overcome any obstacle, won't let this dream fall apart. See I strive to be the very best; shine my light for all to see, cause anything is possible when you believe.”

Savanah,

With your determination you should have no trouble reaching your goals. Hope your healing goes well so you can resume your training and get ready for the first run.

I am beginning my winter training for next year a week from tomorrow. My first event is on Feb.9 anad will determine what my goals will be for the rest of the year after I see how my neck responds to the last treatment.

Savanah, I love that advice, but with my warped mind I immediately thought of that really annoying commercial: HEAD ON! Apply directly to the forehead! HEAD ON! Apply directly to the forehead.

And that's just want I'm going to do, by jinkers and by golly! I'm going to face down my fears HEAD ON--applied directly to my forehead. That way my heart will stay a little back and be protected.

Thank you for singing the Abominable Snowman song to me. I get it. I'll try to get it stuck in my head, just behind my forehead.

Damon, We'll all be waiting to hear that it went well for you, that the training is relatively pain free and productive.

It does help when we get out of our own way, doesn't it! Here's to a year filled with positives!

Sandi,

Great new picture, you definately live in one of the most beautiful parts of this country.

I do, it's true. The weather was gorgeous here today too.

I had to go back and look at what I'd posted and I almost chuckled and said, "What, this old trail?!" because it's not anything really special around here. Just a typical scene. I wish you could come and let me show you the really special places that are my "secret places." I see scenes every day that are awe inspiring. If I seem a little "spacey" sometimes it's because I live here surrounded by a world that is almost like being in the biggest cathedral in the galaxy. I've lived here since 1975 and there are still times when I absolutely have to stop the car get out and stand stock still at the beauty of it.

The town is UGLY (depressed economically, down and out), but the surrounding nature is breathtaking. Thank you for making me remember that today Damon. I get so tired of living here sometimes, but I do love it and am grateful.

Ok mom, I am all for moving to Florida! However, living in the boonies and cleaning my own water system? OY VEY!!! David and I will have to talk about this.



As for my exercise goals... I want to really commit to taking 2 spin classes a week and then work towards 3 spin classes a week. Go practice for bike riding this summer!

Marla,

Great goals and hope you enjoy the spin classes and they are great for building the proper muscle structure for cycling. I have one warning, most spin instructor's have little practical cycling backgrounds and are really arobic instructors. Some of the exercises they ask of you are not only not applicable to cycling but they can cause injury if attempted on a bike. If you dont think it would be safe on a bike dont do it.

One you may question is peddling with one leg this actually is one of the best exercises for building leg muscles for climbing.

Update: I got "dh" back, and registered HIM too! wahahahaha! Looks like I've just scored a running buddy. Ain't marriage grand?!

Update: I got "dh" back, and registered HIM too! wahahahaha! Looks like I've just scored a running buddy. Ain't marriage grand?!

Oh yea! Score one for Sandi! Hubbies never understand that what goes around comes around. I hope you both have a great time!!!!

Marla dear, it is a simple thing that takes a couple of minutes once a week so no excuses! David is closing on Monday and will officially be a homeowner!!!!

Thanks Damon. I appreciate your advice/ opinion! I would love to ride with you someday!

Celadon - I can totally handle a 40 lb. bag of salt, so count me in



I have a new long term goal, that I know I can achieve (in time)

Pan-Mass Challenge. This is done every year. I am planning for either the 2009 or 2010 Pan-Mass Challenge. I would love to run a marathon, however with my knees I doubt that will happen. A bike-a-thon, now that I can do. Whaoooo long term goals! And, don't worry, I will be asking all of you for donations!