Reflection and moving forward

It is that time of year again where we sit down and set goals for the new year.   This year, I am going to take a different approach and reflect on my past instead.

It is 10 years ago this month that I started my fitness journey.  I had just gotten married and was going on a honeymoon cruise.  I had a few pounds I wanted to lose before going on my trip so I decided I would start to exercise.    After looking at this picture again, it is painfully obvious I had more than a few to lose!

Are you surprised that I have not always been fit?

I know, most people who meet me now cannot believe that I used to be a very lazy couch potato. I would eat a bag of Oreos while watching hours of TV.  I hated any form of exercise and clearly avoided it like the plague.  I partied a lot in college (sorry,Mom) and packed on the pounds.  At the time I didn’t even seem to notice.

So with my “cruise-goal” set on paper, I joined a gym and made an effort.  I woke up early every single day for a month and went to a 5:30am step class.  I made friends,  lost weight and discovered that I LOVED exercise.  I felt alive.  I felt strong.  I felt important.   The weight came off (slowly) and I had a fabulous time on that cruise.

Two years later, I was in the best shape of my life and started to make my vacations active ones.  My family thinks I am crazy because I would rather be biking in Utah than sipping drinks on the beach.

Back then, I never would have believed that I could run marathons, become a personal trainer, or teach aerobics.  I was never that person and never believed I COULD be.

Yet today, I am that person.  Fitness makes me who am I am and most people don’t know me otherwise.  I love to be active and make it my goal to do something every single day.  Even 10 minutes of stair climbing makes my day better.

Yes, I have had my share of setbacks and I am no longer as fit as I was in that picture.   I do however have two wonderful little boys who love me no matter what size I wear.

For me, the goal is to simply keep looking forward.  I don’t ever want to slip back into that couch-surfing lifestyle that absolutely sucked the energy out of life.

My only resolution this year is to continue to be active.  I just want to keep on keeping on.

As one of my Twitter friends is always saying  “Don’t ever give up on your journey”.
You CAN do it gang.
I have. 
HAPPY 2009!