2012 Great Year 2013 Can Only Get Better

Reflection

So we (because Marc and I are in this together) were slated to run in 14 races this past year. 13 were completed – sadly we slept in for our NYC run so it doesn’t count – we didn’t even pick up the kit; one was Just A Bunch Of Friends Out For A Run – not timed, but I was feeling competitive, so I am counting it.

Races of 2012

1.    Winterman February 2012 7.2K - Marathon relay with Marc, Dani, Andre, Linda, Dan, George

2.    OIRC Run March 17, 2012 10K - on my own

3.    NYC Bronx Run May 5, 2012 10K didn’t happen - with Marc

4.    Ottawa Race Weekend May 27, 2012 ½ Marathon - on my own

5.  Weight Watchers 5K Walk, June 3, 2012 - run/walk with Mom, Jonesy and Auntie Shirley

6.    Emily’s Run June 23, 2012 5K - with Linda, Alice, Cathy and Heather

7.    Brockville Triathlon August 19, 2012 Super Sprint - with Jill, Kevin and Richard

8.    Ottawa Triathlon September 1, 2012 Super Sprint - on my own

9.    San Francisco Giant Run September 18, 2012 5K - with Marc even if he didn't run and Leah

10. Stittsville 9-run-run, October 20, 2012 ½ Marathon - with Anne

11. Fat Ass Trail run, November 18, 2012 7.5K - on my own

12. ORC JABO FOFAR November 25, 2012 5K - with Anne

13. Santa Shuffle December 1, 2012 5K - with Linda, Alice, Cathy and Heather

14. Resolution Run December 31, 2012 5k - with Marc

I didn’t do so well in the weight loss department.  Actually, since I quit smoking two years ago, I have put on 25 pounds. I have been working on how to curb the hand to mouth addiction and stop mindless eating. The problem I have is that my mouth likes to party with flavours.  Plain old chicken and broccoli (no digs at anyone) just makes me feel like I am missing out on something delicious. Somehow I am going to eat more protien, apparently I don't eat enough of it!

As  I reflect upon my successes from the year and look forward to another successful year ahead, I am reminded of your support and love, it means so much to me and every time I race or train, I remind myself of how blessed I am to have such a wonderful system. When I feel like giving up, it is thoughts of your support and encouragement that keep me in motion.

Resolutions

Resolutions are not something I like to make and so as I reflect on 2012 and consider what worked and what didn’t, I realize I have to go back to the basics.  This includes flavouring with healthy spices, planning every meal, writing everything down, heck I am even going to talk myself out of over indulgences aloud.

I am not going to care what other people think about me recording my information, asking for nutrition menus or bringing my own meal to a work luncheon.  I will walk the long way around to my managers’ desks to avoid the food that gets dropped off.

I have done very well in limiting the alcohol, however as the holiday season is now behind me, I am willing to put alcohol on my list with smoking. Something I just don’t want to do anymore. I have three drinks and I am sick for days, so why bother.

I plan to run 20 races in 2013. I want to complete four triathlons and run one marathon (just to know I can run one).  This means at least 15 more races for me to find. I have several that I would like take part in and I am hoping to have them all planned out before I have my birthday.  A few of the races will be the same ones from last year, I enjoyed the scenery and the company I kept while running. A few of the races will be fun runs and I hope my hubby will join me on the shorter runs.

I am going to focus on running and swimming for the first half of the year.  I will move more into cycling when I am feeling more confident on the road.  Like many triathletes who find swimming a challenge and the last thing they focus on, I am using cycling as my final challenge.  I can pedal inside no problem, it’s the roads.

I am going to join a running club and do some group running. This is a huge thing for me.  I found a club that gives me a running program, coaches me and I can run with for an entire year and the fees going to a charity.  I like that much better than paying 70 bones out for a 12 week program that goes into the corporate pocket.

I am going to cross train and work my behind off.  If I am not swimming or running, I will be cross training or curling. It may be at 5 am, it may be at 8 pm. But I will be doing it. If I don’t do it, then I can’t race properly and to the best of my ability and that is what training is all about – achieving personal satisfaction.

That being said, I may neglect a few friendships, but as my family and every loving friends you will understand and not bail on me.  I will be there when I can, I may have to leave early because I have a race, but I will be there. I will do what I can to keep in touch. It may be through my blog or through facebook, or the odd text, but I will try to keep as in touch with everyone as often as I can.

I want to acknowledge the following people in no particular order for your support, encouragement, inspiration, guidance and love, without each of you, I would not be as successful as I have been.  My husband Marc; my daughter Dani; my parents; my brother John; my sister-in-law Lori; my neice Jeniece; my many cousins Jen, Alex, Nancy, Darlene, Kelly, Christina, Carole; my in-law Langlois family; and my Weight Watchers family.

Thank you for reading my blog this past year. I wish you and your loved ones a year of good health, peace, happiness, love and prosperity!

Bringing People Together

Christmas is about bringing people together, but this isn't about Christmas. I'll save that for a few weeks from now!

A while ago I was given the opportunity to continue my WL program and be paid for the success of losing the rest of my weight within one year.  The catch was that I had to give up WW. That's right, no online contact with anyone from WW, no tracking, no points.  But I had to pay for a registered dietician. And there was no guarantee they would use my story or that I would get paid for it.  The only support I could get was from family and friends, and I couldn't blog, write, talk and do anything publicly about my weight loss. I declined - A few of my family members and friends wondered why after all, we could all use $5K.

I started online in 2009 and I have met many people online since starting this journey. I have had ups and downs, no different than anyone else and there are several people who have held my hand, and we have shared laughs, ideas, joys, sadness and successes and a few of us have become friends on other online avenues to become more supportive of each other.

Of all the people I have met online at WW, I have met 2 people. One lives in the same town as me, the other only 3 hours down the road.

So tonight I came home and received a wonderful package from an online WW member.  This package had a gift for me and another member who lives in the same town as I do.

How thoughtful is that! A gift that my local friend and I can share. This will make us get together before the holidays to enjoy a run together. And share stories.

I can tell you it means so much to us that a person we have never physically met is thinking of us and touching our hearts with such a wonderful and thoughtful gift.

This forum brings us together as sisters (and brothers). From coast to coast we are brought together by one desire - to lead a healthy lifestyle and are bound together by the bonds we build and share in understanding, encouraging and thinking of each other and chatting online. Some inspire, others guide, others keep it real, and everyone always encourages us.  The reality of it all is that we all want each other to succeed. I am pretty sure the registered dietician won't care if I am having a crappy day - as long as I follow the food plan they give me and for a small fee as well. Where are the meetings? Where is the personal connect? For sure it's not with the stranger who will check up on me every two weeks by email and maybe a call if I don't respond!

I looked at all the options and even sought advice from my husband, family, close friends. While I like to share my story, I cannot turn my back on my friends for a shot at $5K. I listened to what people had to say but in the end I realized that I couldn’t drop off the face of the earth and not be able to come to a community that has helped me become the person I am today.  We'd have better luck winning the lottery.

Hence the title Bringing people together!