"Let's have a celebration"

Today is a very important day. It's not my birthday, and to anyone else January 3 is just like any other day. For me, however, today marks the anniversary of the day I began my weight-loss journey. Looking back, I can hardly remember what I was like back then. I remember reaching the breaking point and deciding on January 3rd that I was going to start doing things differently. Much to my surprise, it worked. Sure, as you all have read, I have had my ups and downs, my challenges and triumphs, but this journey has been worth it. I don't have my scale at home with me, but I would guess, based off of my last weigh-in, that I have managed to keep off about 23 out of all the pounds I lost. While the weight I have lost and managed to keep off is a source of great pride, I know that there are things that I need to work on and a lot of obstacles in front of me. In large part, these obstacles relate to getting back at it. I have another 20-30lbs to lose, which is daunting mainly because of my hip issues. Nevertheless, I've decided to stop excusing myself from all physical activity. Although my pain is very real and very difficult to manage, there ARE exercises that I can do without pain. My doctor said that the only exercise I absolutely must avoid are martial arts and running, and I can run, according to him, "if my mental sanity requires it." Spoken like a true runner! Respecting doctor's orders, I went on the elliptical Saturday afternoon and ran a 5K. Not only did I finish a full 5K without stopping, but I did it in record time. Now, I realize that running a 5K on a track/outside is dramatically different than running on an elliptical, but I'm going to challenge myself on the elliptical the same way I did when I started to run--pushing myself to go further and faster. I don't anticipate that I will get the same kind of runner's high that I got from regular running, but I am trying to pump myself up nonetheless. Of course, this also means that my blog will hopefully return to the kinds of topics I focused on in 2011.

Make no mistake, the above is not a resolution. Why not? I read an article my friend posted on her facebook wall that discussed the ways in which resolutions are pointless. I couldn't agree more. Most of our NYE resolutions are unrealistic and cause us to believe in an all-or-nothing mentality. If I learned anything from my 2011 journey, weight-loss isn't something that happens overnight. It is an extremely frustrating experience, but it is also very worthwhile. It is full of moments when you question what the point of it all is and whether you will ever achieve your goals. Which brings me to my point...the above is a goal that will contribute to a habit that will transform the rest of my life. Eating healthy and working out are not temporary things and do not happen quickly. They must become ways of life. The past few days and weeks notwithstanding, they remain part of my life even in my darkest moments (esp. when dealing with my hip). Whether they are made manifest in my refusing a cookie or leaving a few extra nibbles from my meal, I am conscious of the food that I am using to fuel my body and propel it into motion. That being said, I can and will be more attentive to this in the future because that is important if I am going to lose the 20-30lbs that still elude me.

I look forward to everything 2012 holds for me, especially on this anniversary. On that note, I raise a glass of soda water and toast to those of you who have followed me throughout this journey. To another year together!

Besito,
A