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New Years Resolution

Unwritten

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As I was running my half marathon last week, the most amazing song popped up on my ipod just when I needed it the most. I don’t remember downloading the song much less putting it on my playlist. Just when I thought I couldn’t take another step, Natasha Bedingfield’s “Unwritten” started playing in my earbuds.

I am unwritten, can’t read my mind, I’m undefined
I’m just beginning, the pen’s in my hand, ending unplanned

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

 

As I listened to the song along mile 10, I realized that at that moment and time I was in the process of writing my own book. I was mid-chapter and it was up to me how I wanted the chapter to end. Up until this point I was enjoying my race – taking in the beautiful views, focusing on my breathing and feeling the ground under my feet. But then I hit a wall (which I would later realize was because I forgot to eat my energy gel). I was allowing the pain & exhaustion to take over my mind and I was pushing the fun of the experience out. Was that how I wanted to remember the story of my first 1/2 marathon? Not really – I wanted a great story to add to my book. How I finished this race was up to me. It was MY experience to have and no one could have it for me.

As the song ended, I took a deep breath and felt it fill up my lungs.  I was going to finish this race my way – strong and proud of myself. I felt it coming on…..my second wind. I picked up my pace, felt the sun on my back and put one foot in front of the other. With each step I was writing and MAN DID I WRITE AN AWESOME STORY!!! My chapter titled “Unwritten” ended with me crossing the finish line of my first half marathon feeling energized, strong and proud of the experience that I made and wrote for myself.


7 Rules to Keeping Your New Year’s Resolutions

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As the first few months of the New Year slip away, do you find your resolutions slipping away as well? Resolutions should be reasonably attainable so that you are setting yourself up for success rather than disappointment. Try focusing on small intermediate goals that will ultimately lead you to your primary goal. Do not expect to be perfect. Aim for a healthy lifestyle that you will feel comfortable sticking with.

1. TAKE SMALL STEPS:
Simply establishing the goal of leading a healthy lifestyle should make you feel good about yourself. To make that goal more attainable, come up with small goals you know you can meet each day to help keep yourself feeling positive. Accomplishing the smaller goals will leave you with a more immediate feeling of success. If your goals are too large, you may get caught up in them and feel disappointed when you do not see immediate results.

2. CHANGE FOR YOURSELF:
Any goals that you set should come from a sincere desire to change for yourself. Research has shown that negative feelings are a frequent cause of relapse in behavior-change programs, and resolutions that feel like punishment can cause negative feelings. All resolutions should be perceived as positive changes that will help you reach optimal health and well-being. Do not decide to change to please anyone other than yourself. Stick to your resolution by considering it a promise to yourself, not a test of your willpower.

3. BE CREATIVE:
Perhaps you can find ways to exercise while also accomplishing other goals. If weather permits, try walking to do errands that are in close proximity to your home or office. Maybe you need to spend more time with your family. Try walking with a family member or bringing your children along on bikes while you walk or jog.

4. BE REALISTIC:
Be sure that your plan of action is realistic. Plan to work out at times when it is convenient for you. If you are not a morning person, do not plan to work out early in the morning or you will just be setting yourself up for failure. Try to make things as easy as possible for yourself. Set your goals at reasonable heights so that you can reach them one by one without feeling overwhelmed. The only way your goal is going to become reality is if you believe in it and, most of all, if you believe in yourself.

5. BE POSITIVE:
If things like weather and illness will prevent you from sticking to your plan, make alternate plans for situations that you cannot avoid. Most importantly, do not let a missed day or two throw you completely off target. Instead, do your best to get back on track as quickly as possible, which should not be extremely difficult if you have set appropriate goals. It is easier to stick to your plan when you feel good about yourself. Try to find a new and healthy way to reward yourself when you meet your smaller goals.

6. BUILD A SUPPORT SYSTEM:
Get the support of your family, friends and co-workers. Let them know your goals and ask for their respect and support with your decision to live a healthier lifestyle. Remember that you are your best supporter.  Focus on positive self-talk. Congratulate yourself every time you take a step towards your goal. Be your own best cheerleader.

7. USE COMMON SENSE:
Avoid situations that put you in temptation’s path, in other words…if you’re on a diet, don’t go to the ice cream parlor.  Keep your gym bag packed and in the car so you don’t have to run home and get it.  You will be more likely to want to stay home once you get there.

10 in ’10

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Now that the Holidays are over and I’ve had some time to get back into the swing of things, I’m FINALLY ready to make my list of things to do in 2010. They are not really resolutions, but things I WILL accomplish in the new year. My 2010 Bucket list – minus the whole death thing, hopefully.

The 10 Things I WILL Accomplish in 2010:

1. Learn how to swim. I’ve tried a million times, but this year I will finally be floatie free in the pool. Not sure exactly how I will do this because every instructor I’ve had says I’m made of stone because I sink like a rock. I wonder if Dana Torres is available?

2. Run my FIRST half marathon. If all goes well, it will be March 7th in Florida – The Disney Princess Half Marathon. How cool is that? Running while Cinderella is cheering you on!

3. Learn the power “yes” and the freedom of “no”. If I keep saying yes to everything, I’ll have 2 truck loads of Girl Scout Cookies that I can’t eat, 20 stray dogs, a missing arm from “rasselin’ gators” and bright red hair.

4. Hunt a new animal. (Yes I am a hunter!) I’d love to shoot the cougar in my woods, but I’m pretty sure the DNR wouldn’t like that. Maybe I’ll try pheasant hunting, shoot a merriams or go “big” and hunt Elk or Moose.

5. Start teaching outdoor bootcamps this summer. I’ve never had a place to hold them, but now that my yard is finally landscaped I can hold them at my house.

6. Do my FIRST fitness/figure competition in September. My plan is to do the 2010 Natural Badger Classic. When I do that, I will have to accomplish goal #6 1/2 – Wear a bikini in public. I’ve NEVER done this, so I guess I’m jumping in feet first and doing it on stage. YIKES!!!

7. To make every negative a positive – no matter how difficult that may be.

8. To ask for help when I need it. I am a my own Super Hero, but even Superman has his Kryponite.

9. Have a bigger presence on the web. In 2009 I jumped right into the whole social networking thing with Twitter and Facebook, but I want to blog much more in 2010.

10. Do the Polar Plunge Twice in one winter. (ok I was going to have #10 be to quit swearing so much, but the Vikings are STILL in the Playoffs, so I’ll jump in a frozen lake instead)