Saturday, January 1, 2011

one year can change your life

I'm going to deviate from my usual cheery style today and start this post by admitting I hate New Years. It's not the celebration or spirit of the holiday and I detest, it's the plethora of empty promises it creates. You see, as I look back on 2010 I realize that I started my year with the usual promises of losing some weight and getting fit BUT the champagne-induced enthusiasm quickly waned and I watched the scale creep up to almost 310 pounds last year.

Like so many others, it seems a change of date on the calendar wasn't enough to get me started. Hmpf. Go figure.

Fast forward to the spring. As southern Ontario went through it's typical thaw, I began to see my neighbourhood come back to life as well. Joggers started to appear. First one or two brave souls, then a few regulars, then whole groups as the local running club hit the pavement. My thought process was simple: I want that!

My blog was born as a way to stay accountable and document my thoughts. I began this process with one simple goal: give myself one year to be able to run 5 miles comfortably and at whim. I figured I'd better keep things simple. I'd focus on running and let the rest fall into place.



As you can see, a lot changed around here last year:
- I managed to lose almost 50 pounds
- I can now run 3.5 miles comfortably and at whim
- I dramatically improved my diet
- I maintained this little blog and made many friends along the way

The biggest change I've observed in myself since last year is my new found confidence. I enter 2011 knowing I WILL DO THIS.

I'm filled with optimism about what's to come. My goal remains unchanged. I will be able to run 5 miles comfortably and at whim by my one-year anniversary in late May. Until then, I am setting mini-challenges along the way. I won't bore you with all the details, but they will include things like actual timed races and mileage goals.

Have you set goals or resolutions for the year ahead? Let's finish what we started!

Rae
xo
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36 comments:

  1. ChristiJanuary 1, 2011 at 6:20 AM

    You are well on your way to completing your goal! Congratulations on everything you have done so far! Keep up the awesome work!

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  2. JessJanuary 1, 2011 at 6:23 AM

    Love this post. I think it ended very upbeat and cheerful! :)

    I am trying to start with small do-able goals myself. I ran a whole mile without stopping yesterday (big deal for me) and then alterated half mile walk/runs until I got to 3.5. I will become a runner again!!!

    Let's do it! :)
    J

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  3. cssolomonJanuary 1, 2011 at 8:23 AM

    OMG - since we just met via blog, I had no clue thats what you've accomplished in such a short amount of time! You are so awesome! :) You are definately someone to admire. You've given me hope and someone to look to when I'm struggling with my own running goal for 2011 :) I know we don't know each other, but I'm so proud of you :) heehee

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  4. Anne-MarieJanuary 1, 2011 at 8:24 AM

    Congrats on everything you've accomplished in 2010! Happy 2011!

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  5. JasonJanuary 1, 2011 at 8:30 AM

    I.
    Love.
    It.

    There is nothing like confidence found and cultivated. 3.5 miles today, 5 miles tomorrow and you do it one step at a time.

    You.
    Got.
    This.

    And as always make sure you do it smiling. Smiling is contagious, free and easy.


    And thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting. It is people like you that keep me inspired and motivated because you are inspired and motivated. You've just passed it along today. Thank you.

    Keep on keepin' on.

    Keep.
    Smiling.

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  6. PatrickJanuary 1, 2011 at 8:32 AM

    Look at you as you start 2011... this will be another year of greatness for you... Happy New Year!

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  7. Big ClydeJanuary 1, 2011 at 8:40 AM

    Beautiful progress this year, Rae! Looking forward to your continued adventures and I'm sure you'll hit your goal in May.

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  8. Fat Girl vs. WorldJanuary 1, 2011 at 9:15 AM

    RAWR!! Great attitude!!

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  9. PearlJanuary 1, 2011 at 9:16 AM

    Can't wait to see what 2011 has in store for you! Keep up the great work! I look forward to visiting your blog this year and seeing your awesome progress. I know it's not all about the weight loss, but I love seeing before and after photos that people post. You can just see the confidence boost and happiness!
    Happy New Year!
    Pearl

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  10. Detroit Runner(Jeff)January 1, 2011 at 9:51 AM

    Great job - 50 pounds is great!!! Congrats!

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  11. ShawnJanuary 1, 2011 at 10:02 AM

    waytago RAE...you rock!!!

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  12. Christie FarrarJanuary 1, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    Rae!!! You rock!! Hey managing to lose 50 lbs in 7 months is fantastic, not to mention the fact that you can RUN!

    I'll let you in on a secret.. I'm going to take up running too. Any tips?

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  13. Teresa MofJanuary 1, 2011 at 10:51 AM

    Awesome!

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  14. Life as a CaterpillarJanuary 1, 2011 at 12:54 PM

    Great stuff!

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  15. DemaraJanuary 1, 2011 at 1:38 PM

    Haha Wow you've come a long way and fast too I might add. And hey, you get a lot more comments, maybe you need to do push-ups?! lol

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  16. divadJanuary 1, 2011 at 7:15 PM

    What an amazing difference in your photos Rae. I'm with you - let's finish what we started! How exciting to discover the runner in you! Happy New Year!

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  17. Chris KJanuary 1, 2011 at 7:47 PM

    What an awesome post. So inspiring. Do you follow Tricia at Endurance isn't Only Physical? You should check it out!

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  18. AlanJanuary 1, 2011 at 10:27 PM

    Rae, I am so impressed!!! I also stumbled out of the blocks last Jan. 1, but got it going with major props to the blog.

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  19. JoyJanuary 2, 2011 at 8:24 AM

    Rae, You are amazing!! You have accomplished much in such a short time. Inspirational!!

    Keep it up my friend - You've got this!!

    Stay focused!!

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  20. Mom Getting FitJanuary 2, 2011 at 9:03 AM

    Congrats on what you have accomplished so far! You are doing great and have a great mindset.

    Running is one of my goals for sure. I can lift heavy weight but my endurance is dragging. I really need to work on that in the new year!

    Keep going! Be the BEST you can be :)

    Shelly

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  21. LeahJanuary 2, 2011 at 10:32 AM

    I could not agree more with what you have said here. Congrats on all the success you have experienced due to your hard work. I look forward to watching as you meet all your goals.

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  22. KellyJanuary 2, 2011 at 5:44 PM

    2011 is and will be our year! P.S. I hate New Year's too!

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  23. Fruit FlyJanuary 2, 2011 at 6:38 PM

    Look at you!! That is such a positive change! Congratulations!!

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  24. Katie WarrenJanuary 2, 2011 at 6:42 PM

    2011 is going to be so awesome for us! We'll have to have another throwdown at some point. Can't wait to see how we progress with year and when the holiday season rolls around we'll be super hotties!

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  25. Shabby Chic MomJanuary 2, 2011 at 10:48 PM

    Hi, new follower, congrats on your weight loss! What an inspiration!!! I'm so envious of running!! That's one of my goals :)

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  26. JessicaJanuary 3, 2011 at 9:32 AM

    Awesome post Rae! So glad I found you in the blog world! You are such a great support! So proud of you and your accomplishments and can't wait to see what the future holds!

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  27. Nike AthenaJanuary 3, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    Way to go! The first three miles are the hardest for me, after that it's all about "finishing what you start." Keep up the great work!

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  28. Sandra BridgesJanuary 3, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    I want to be a runner too! Don't they always look so happy and sweaty?! You look great though and 50 lbs is really really something to be proud of :)I'm proud of you and I don't even know you! Where in southern Ontario are you? Good luck in 2011... I hate saying Good luck. It implies that you have no control over what happens. So I'll say "hard work" in 2011 xox

    http://dairyofanotsoskinnygirl.blogspot.com/

    http://111daysin2011.blogspot.com/

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  29. KatieJanuary 3, 2011 at 12:29 PM

    Awesome!!! Congratulations! I did not know how far you've come either, you rock :D

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  30. The Green GirlJanuary 3, 2011 at 8:27 PM

    Wow, that is huge, girl. Congratulations on your journey.

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  31. ThE MidLiFe CrUiSeRJanuary 3, 2011 at 8:53 PM

    Had to come to your blog to tell you congrats too! You should be so proud of your consistency and effort!! I know we all are :)

    Let's be blog buddies. I need some extra motivation...seriously!!

    http://midlifecruiser.blogspot.com
    Nellie

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  32. TeamarciaJanuary 4, 2011 at 6:09 PM

    You've come far in a short time. Here's to another year of amazing progress!

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  33. Andrew OpalaJanuary 8, 2011 at 6:01 PM

    Keep going. You are an inspiration to many ... including me.

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  34. JannaJanuary 8, 2011 at 7:13 PM

    You are doing so great and you are such an inspiration...on top of you are a rock star with leaving comments and helping a stranger get through tough days...

    My goal this year is to return the encouragement that you have extended me...

    Thanks for being a good bloggy friend!

    Have a great weekend!

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  35. AnonymousJanuary 9, 2011 at 1:26 PM

    Congratulations on thw weight loss and the running gain. :D

    Re: resolutions. I DO set them. I don't usually achieve 100% on them all, but I make progress. Some resolutions art truly RESOLUTIONS--I RESOLVE to do this or that. Others would be better called goals.

    It helps me. I could, won't but could, give you a list ot hings that I do now that I didn't prior to the resolution.

    Whatever works, you know?

    Again, congratulations!

    Deb

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  36. fatty blogsticksJanuary 10, 2011 at 6:18 AM

    hi rae, you are a rock star. you have killed it in 2010 - the difference is phenomenal. it's been so awesome reading up on you here.

    all the best for 2011 xx

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