Reflections on 2009 and New Years Resolutions

2009 was a good year for me.  I actually became a "runner" in 2009.  In April, I set a goal of running the Charleston Distance Run in September.  I signed up for the race really early and trained for four months.  My goal for the 15 mile race was 2:30, and I finished in 2:28.  I had a great time and learned a lot about myself in the process.  I learned that I really really like running.  Sure there were times when I didn't want to get out and run, but most of the time I couldn't wait to get outside.  Each run was like a new challenge for me.  I tackled speedwork, tempo runs, long runs, and hills.  I had bad runs and awesome runs.  I learned about running and nutrition.  I did the most I have ever done for my body in my entire life, and it felt amazing.  When I finished that race, it was the greatest accomplishment ever.

Then, I took some rest time....and some more rest time.....and some more rest time....and before you know it, it was getting dark outside at 6PM and it was winter.  I rested so much that I lost all my endurance and stamina.  Everything I had worked so hard for was lost.  The motivation of a big race.  Gone.  I even signed up to run a half marathon in Pittsburgh in November and didn't go because I had slacked so much.  For this, I am ashamed, but I guess when you don't feel like running, you don't feel like running.  Only you can give yourself the motivation you need to get out there everyday.

The whole reason I started training was to lose weight, and I didn't.  Sure, I was in great shape and lost enough inches to drop a size.  But, the scale didn't move.  While I trained for the race, I also trained myself to eat what I wanted, when I wanted, simply because I was running.  I told myself it was ok to eat the Chinese buffet, wings, Olive Garden, or whatever it was, because I was going to run 10 miles the next day.  This is the reason I didn't lose any weight, and the reason I have gained 5lbs since the race and feel like a fat blob, lol. 

So, I come to my resolutions.

1.  Get down to a goal weight of 140 pounds.  I am currently 5'3 and weigh 160lbs.  This is the heaviest I ever remember weighing in my adult life, lol.  I usually stick between 150-155.  When I was training, I got down to 148 quickly, then settled in at 153.  Basically, I have 20lbs to lose.  If I lose 1lb per week, that means I should reach my goal by May 23rd.  I'm going to make it a goal to reach by June 1st.

2.  Run at least 10-15 miles per week all year round.  None of this training hard for 4 months, and then doing nothing the rest of the time.  There have been 2 weeks at a time since my race that I haven't run 1 mile.  I resolve to not do that anymore.  I need to be active and fit exercise in each and every week of the year.

3.  Eat Clean.  Period.  This will obviously be the toughest of my resolutions.  Anybody can follow a healthy diet for a couple of months, but for a whole year?  The point is, it's not supposed to be a diet, it's supposed to be a way of life.  I'm reading Tosca Reno's The Eat-Clean Diet Recharged.  I read the original Eat-Clean Diet book over a year ago.  The prinicples are simple - eat clean.  Avoid processed foods and sugar.  In a nutshell, you don't eat anything that doesn't come from nature in its simplest form.  You eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.  Brownie sundaes don't fit into this category, nor does pizza at midnight, or unlimited amounts of food at the buffet.  Eat 6 small meals per day, about every 3 hours, and drink lots of water.  This will be difficult with my husband and all his buddies around all the time, but I am serious about this.  I know how to eat healthy, I just need to do it.

4.  Strength train twice per week.  I always talk about doing it, but never make time for it.  I know the only way I'm going to get the results I want is if I weight train.  When I make my running training plan, I need to limit the running to 4 days per week, so I have time to do other exercise on the other days and still have a rest day or two.

5.  Eat out less.  I need to make healthy foods at home for me and my husband.  I love to cook and my husband loves it when I cook.  Eating out is the devil and is the reason our nation is so overweight and obese.

6.  Blog more.  Sorry, I know I have been a delinquent blogger.

So, that's about it.  I plan to run as many races as I can, and to run the CDR again this September.  Those aren't realy resolutions, just goals.  I know that to stick to these resolutions I am going to have to keep a training and food diary.  I am also going to have to lay off the chocolate.  There are days that I just want to eat a big bag of hershey kisses or M&M's.  Nothing like chocolate to sabotage a week's worth of healthy eating. 

I wish everybody good luck on their resolutions.  I know we will motivate each other!