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Thursday, January 5, 2012

Trying to be a Triathlete Ain't Easy

So I attempted to post about my triathlon training and something happened to my post. Going to try to get it together again...it went something like this:

So there I was exercising this week, four days to be exact, and I was so sore that I could barely stand let alone get up and down the stairs. We did yoga, circuit training, more yoga, swimming and more swimming. At the end I had a productive week of feeling fulfilled, and sore in places I had forgotten I had muscles. Amazing! What is all this training for you ask? Well many of you may have seen the movie Bucket List or know what a bucket list is about. I have been wanting (for about 4 years now) to try a triathlon or a half-marathon. I know, I know sounds crazy. I don't care about the time or if I puke my way across the finish line, I just want to say "I've done that". So through my husband's work I've made a friend and we decided to train for a triathlon this spring/summer. EXCITING! Perfect excuse to get fit and start to feel more energized. At the moment I am feeling pooped, but I am sure that will get better. (Please God it has to get better!) We are off to a great start. We might've even got a bit overzealous by joining a local Biggest loser competition. Only time will tell if we bit off more than a mouthful. We do our official BL weigh-in on Wednesday. While scary and potentially embarrassing, I plan on posting my numbers right here. Maybe I can shame myself fit if all else fails.

I didn't realize just how challenging the entire triathlon training would be, but I gotta say I am not only excited to be doing it I'm excited to tell people. The thing that excites me the most though, is showing my children that you are never too old to chase a dream and you are capable of accomplishing anything. So I won't be called by the Olympic team to represent the U.S. and I won't be giving any Kenyans a run for their money. However, this mom is teaching her kids a lesson far greater than winning and that is perseverance. Hey wait...I think that is part of resolution too...yea I'm trying to stick with that as well.

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Tuesday, January 3, 2012

A new year, A new ME!

So after this internal debate about whether to have a resolution or a list or a mantra or a not list, I've finally decided. I'm sure you have been waiting on bated breath for this earth shattering revelation! ;)  I have decided for option E: All of the above. So my New Year's resolution is finish what I started. It is pretty simple right? I am not looking to lose 50 pounds or quit eating sweets or something so ridiculously difficult like that. I mean really? The problems with New Year's resolutions is that they are so unrealistic you set yourself up for automatic failure. So I resolve to finish what I started. That means any project, endeavor, bright idea that I have I am going to see it through to the end, even if it kills me.

Next is my mantra. I wanted a single word, but couldn't really decide on the word I wanted. So I have come up with something that is very much tied into my resolution: "I am committed to persevering." Now I am not sure that it falls into the textbook definition of a mantra, but it is working for me. It makes me feel good and it sums up what 2012 is going to be about for me. So I think its perfect!

Next is my list. The list consists of DOs and DON'Ts. They are essentially things that I want to make sure I accomplish this year and things that I resolve to stop doing. So let's start with the positive, the to do list which is more of a smaller scaled version of bucket list. It is smaller so that I can add to it throughout the year if there is something I really want to do, but its short enough that I don't overwhelm myself and get nothing done.

TO DO in 2012:

1. Train and COMPLETE a triathlon AND half-marathon before the end of the year.

2. Learn a third language. (I'm living in Europe! Why shouldn't I pick up a 3 language?)

3. Complete a crocheted scarf and afghan before the end of the year. (The hard part is done since I taught myself how to crochet last month. The harder part is going to be perfecting it all!)

4. Travel more- again we are living in Europe.... need I explain more.

5. Spend more time with my kids and husband.


Now here is the list of things I am NOT going to do, or maybe a better way of saying that is to STOP doing. I have no doubt that these things can only improve my life.

NOT TO DO in 2012:
1. I will NOT associate with people that cause drama in my life.

2. I will NOT beat myself up about my weight, appearance or other physical characteristic.

3. I will NOT allow my children to get away with not doing chores anymore. My not working does not equal a new maid in town.

4. I will NOT feel guilty for saying NO.

5. I will NOT feel guilty for saying YES.


Hopefully as I get through my To Do List and stick to my Not To Do List I will be a better me in 2012. Because ultimately that is the whole point of a New Year's resolution, to be the best you in the new year and that is exactly what I intend to do.

Cheers to everyone who is starting the new year with the goal of being the best YOU you can be.

Monday, January 2, 2012

To Resolve or Not to Resolve? That is the question...

Happy New Year! Its that time again. Bring on the New Year's resolutions, and the guilt at not following through. I have been deciding whether or not make a resolution, which I know could be short lived. Several bloggers have suggested coming up a mantra or a key word to guide my decisions throughout the new year. Problem is I am not sure what that word should be. Another blogger suggested to make Resolves Not To.... which is a great idea. But for someone like myself, it seems like there is no goal at the end of a statement that starts with "I resolve not to". So now here is my dilemma: do I make a resolution and try to stick to it? Or do I find a word or mantra sentence that I can use as a guide? Either way I want to make sure that I accomplish a few things this year, and so maybe the best way to go about that is to list the things I want to accomplish this and start ticking them off once I do. I love lists and I am the queen of lists (just ask my kids or husband). So perhaps a list is better suited for my brain. At this point I'm not sure, but once I do you will be the second to know.