My Goals for 2011

I have been procrastinating about starting a blog for so long, that I finally decided to do it. What took me so long? I guess the thought that who would want to read what I had to say or ramble about. I mean Im just your average, overweight girl ... why would you care what I think. And then I realized, I wish I would have started the blog earlier. I have come a long way and future me will want to read what present me has to say today. So without adieu, I will start this blog and stop waiting for the perfect time.

So who am I? Well Im a 31 year old nurse practitioner, who for years put myself behind everyone else. Behind my family, my husband, and of course behind my job. I worked 60 hours a week, and when I wasnt working I was reading medical books or working from home. My job was my life, my identity.... and then suddenly it was not there anymore. I will not bore you with the details, but no matter how important you think you are (and I was) we are all dispensible when it comes to mergers and aquisitions. Suddenly, my identity was not there... and I was left to pick up the pieces.

So I did what any normal woman would do... I moped and whined and ate a bunch of junk food. The thought of working out was FAR from my mind... and then something happened. I watched Biggest Loser for the first time ever, and I was inspired. Thats it, June 2010 I was going to take this gift of time off to concentrate on myself. I started going to the gym, I started eating better, I lost 5 pounds. And then it really happened.... I watched Losing it with Jillian and saw a morbidly obese woman running a 5K. And it was that moment that I thought "wow, if she can do it I can too."

You see, I had always associated running with being an athlete; being in shape. Around here there is a popular race called the Bellin 10K and every who is anyone "does the Bellin." And they walk around for weeks before and after it talking about it... and people like me, we just think that seems impossible.
So I started C25K on a treadmill on June 21, 2010...... and I almost died the first day. But I did it... and I kept progressing until I got to week 4. At week 4 I joined a great program called No Boundaries thought my local shoe store that was a 5K prep class. The very first day, we were supposed to go out for 10 minutes and come back. I was ready... I was going to rock it... well I though so anyways. I had no experience running outside, and I had NO ability to pace myself. I got a horrible double side stich, finished last, and had to get walked back by the coach. The coach, for his part, was a god. Super nice and didnt make me feel bad at all. He suggested a new approach to running... the common sense running approach. Instead of following C25K, just run for the first 30 seconds of every song and walk the rest. And I did it... and the joy I felt was amazing. And slowly but surely I have worked my way from 30 seconds to 4-6 minutes at a time now.

I have run several 5K (six of them), one 10K (on 10-10-10) and one 5 milers. And 30 days from now, I will be running my first half marathon. I am slow; ok really, really slow... but its not about speed its about finishing, weight loss, and just being healthy. The best part, no matter how slow I am ...I found a love. I LOVE running in a way that I have never experience for an exercise. I tolerated the elliptical, could survive weight lifting, and hates the stationary bike with a passion. Instead of dreading my workouts, I look forward to them. I am sad on days I cant run and look forward to a day I can. Not all runs are great; in fact some really suck. But the runs that are great will last in my mind for weeks.

Ok enough rambling... if anyone is still reading, I did promise you goals (resolutions) for 2011. Goals should be objective, measurable, and attainable. So without further ado, here are the goals for 2011.
1. Have a weight under 200 pounds by the end of the year.
2. Run 3 times per week, but add at least one day per week of cross training
3. Make homecooked meals 3 times per week
4. Plan menus weekly and write out grocery lists to improve healthy food choices
5. Run another half marathon (or perhaps even a marathon)
6. Limit random computer time to <1hr unless working on homework or meal plans