2013 One Word

I made a resolution many years ago that I would no longer make resolutions. And dog-gone it- I'm sticking to it. Whether that contradicts itself at any level is lost in an ounce of careless-ness I possess because this practice has served me well since the turn of the new year in 2011.

Instead, I choose one word that I plan to propel me full-swing into the new year. This word serves as a little grand reminder of who I am at the start of the year and who I wish to become as the following December peeks its head around the corner.

Since starting this tradition, I have chosen the following words to give me that extra "OOMPH!" through the twelve month cycle-

2011-

For 2011, I chose the word Blossom. This year truly was a blossoming year for me. I entered my final year of college, met wonderful people, explored new places, turned 21, and learned numerable lessons about who I was and who I wanted to be. Like a flower blooms in spring, I saw myself bloom into a young woman.

 

 2012-

We Heart It

For 2012, I chose the word Inspire for multiple reasons. Put shortly, I wished to receive and reciprocate Inspiration of all and any kind. I was inspired to move to a new city, sign up for a new distance-race, and write new little tweedles. And I can only pray these actions, words and more inspired many of you!

For the year ahead, I already have so many plans to look forward to. Why, just next week I'll be competing in my first full marathon in Disney World! Trust me, my fingers were trembling when I clicked the "complete registration" button, but I wanted to dump the fear of failure in the past and finally conquer the dreaded 26.2!

And since this is how I will be starting my year off, I couldn't think of a better word to carry with me through 2013.  I pray this word will carry me through new friendships, relationships, adventures, and all opportunities. This year, I plan to will be...

PhotoCred

Healthy vs Skinny

Our bodies are our gardens - our wills are our gardeners. ~William Shakespeare

I have been active since I can remember. Skiing in Colorado by the age of five, basketball and softball since six, then becoming a full time cross country and track runner in high school. I was always on the move. The thought of "watching what I eat" was something of a distant whisper only noted in fashion magazines and exclusive gym VIP rooms. In other words, I ate what I wanted with out a care because I knew I'd burn it off the next day.


(seconds on icecream... yes those are m&m's)

Then college came, and after a semester on the track team building muscle like a machine, I gained 15 pounds. When I went home for Christmas break, I heard wonderful comments from my family including, "Goodness, you got some muscle on you," "Where did my tiny Maxann go?" and my personal favorite, "I thought you were running track, not playing football!" It's true, my neck was thicker than a big rig wheel and I could bench press my own weight.

Unfortunately, when I returned to training come January, previous issues with scoliosis interfered with my field events and I had to quit the team. Over the next few months, I couldn't lift nor could I run or do much cardio. So sure, that muscle faded, but i didn't loose the weight. It melted into flabby, unneeded weight from food-therapy. April came and my back healed, allowing me to walk and do light cardio. I shed some weight and in attempts to try to loose the pounds, I also gave up about 1/3 of my intake of food. I was indeed desperate.

When summer came and I took a trip to Alaska, I found myself on the first night in the gym, ellipticalling and overlooking the beautiful sunset over the Alaskan pines on shore (Sunset was at 11pm, sunrise at 4am) I felt great... for 15 minutes. It was then I realized that I wasn't healthy, I was just wasting away. I may have shed the freshman 15, but I also lost my ability to do something I loved- stay active. We also took a free metabolism test that came complimentary if you used the gym more than three days in a row- my metabolism had dropped to only burning 1050 calories a day (without exercise). The gym official (and myself) were stunned. When I explained my diet, he reminded me- your body needs more fuel to re-learn how to burn it. It then hit me- I had sabotaged my metabolism.

This post is to remind ladies that "weight" is not the issue. It never should be. It should be about "health" and how you feel. After this wakeup call, I started doing activities I loved-dancing, running, and yoga. I started to watch what I ate (with wiggle room for treats now and then) but never held back when I knew I should eat or if my stomach reminded me that I was indeed hungry. For anyone who made a resolution to lose weight, do it to become healthy, not just for the numbers on the scale. And find happiness along the way, because HOW you FEEL is ultimately more important than HOW you LOOK

R(in)R#3- Do Not Fear The "What If's..."

This will be my last post until after New Years, since I will be heading to the eastern shore with friends and family for just a couple days.

But I thought I would share my last resolution from 2010 that has played out up until the very last days of the year.

I will admit, I love being spontaneous. 

I have grown to love doing new and exciting things...JUST BECAUSE I WANT TO!

(See first post: "R(in)R#1- Try Something New)

But at the end of 2009, I realized that I had a hard time with committing to certain people, making permanent plans to add to my agenda. I always anticipated the unexpected, never wanting to know what was coming next. And while I can admit, it has been fun and ok for a while... 

I've realized that living in this world requires you to start making plans and not being afraid of what will come out of them...
I had to start making promises to others and yourself that you must keep.

I was always so caught up in the "What If's"of my actions and decisions...

One of these plans/risks from this previous year included making plans for a concert three months in advance. I had no idea where I would be living in July when we bought these tickets to a Train/John Mayer concert back in March. I didn't know if the weather would hold up for lawn seats, I couldn't tell you what I'd be doing in the days leading up to the concert...But through a little anxiety and hesitation, we bought those tickets and I kept to that plan...

 Even through the rain and mud that ended up being our seats, we stayed at that concert and rocked out! And you know what?! I wouldn't trade that night with some of my amazing friends and my favorite bands for anything in the world.

Also, I applied for multiple jobs. Some I literally failed at. Some I excelled. But overlooking the "What If I Fail..." I was able to gain experience and friends that I wouldn't have made if I didn't try at all... 

Just recently I've had to go through so much thinking, asking "What If" about little details, about choices I know effect not only me, but other people. And I realize through the experiences listed and those that will remain unsaid, that I have to follow through. I'll admit, I have had the hardest time keeping to this resolution... I have learned by taking chances and trusting that the outcome of every situation, decision, and relationship is much greater than any control I thought I could maintain. 

 I know that going into 2011, I will continue to try and keep this resolution going. At times I will not be able to conquer it with flying colors, but I will try my best.

I have made a decision here in the past week that overcomes one of the greatest "What If's" I have had to encounter in several years. And I know that whatever happens, it's for the best.

I have agreed to stop looking at the "What If's" and replacing them with "Why Not?!"