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Tuesday, November 6, 2012

11 Days until I turn 35

On November 17th I will celebrate my 35th birthday and 6th wedding anniversary (yes I got married on my birthday, mainly so I could remember the day. Plus I love November). Every year since puberty (the last 20 at least) I have vowed to lose weight and be fit before my next birthday rolls around. Some hit and miss success, but never lasting weight loss. I do not want to make the same vow this year. I want a more tangible, measurable goal. One that will push me, test my limits and resolve, and help me be a better person in the long run (pun intended).

I would love to lose weight, and be fitter than I was on my last birthday, be more in shape than I was at my first anniversary (granted I was 9 months pregnant with the monkey that year). I would like to weigh less than  I did when I got married, or less than I did when I met my husband.

More than those things though, I want to be strong. I want to set a hard high goal and reach it. A big goal. One that seems almost impossible. I want to achieve the impossible.

Goals for my 35th year

  1. Walk or run every day - at least one mile. I want to have a streak so that by this time next year, my mileage is over triple digits. 
  2. Super big goal - run/walk 3500 miles my 35th year. I know it is almost 10 miles a day. I will actually have to work up to that amount. But I am going to do it. I am making a vow, a resolution, a super goal to run/walk at least 1750 miles this coming year with a super duper goal of reaching 3500. 
  3. Eat to fuel my goal. I will not follow a diet or a plan. I will be reasonable in my eating, and work to ensure that what I eat fuels my goals and my life. 
There is no doubt that this will not be easy. But "If you shoot for the moon and miss you still wind up among the stars".

These are my stars for the next year. I'm going for it.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Pumpkins in the Park 2012 Recap

Ran my second Pumpkins in the Park 5K yesterday. This was the first race I ever ran when I did it last year, and it was fun to run it again already knowing what the course had in store for me. I ran it a little slower than last year (44:23 this year, 42:18 last year) but this is the cost of not running all summer. Still, I had fun, I had a cute costume, I got out for a run and over all had a good day. And some day I will remember to take more pictures of things to add to my blog but as I forgot again, here is the one picture of me in my costume after the race :)


I received many compliments on my tutu, and I was quite proud that I made it myself. I have one planned for my Turkey Trot in brown and orange and another for the It's a Wonderful Race in red and green :).

Anyone else get out and race this weekend?

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Running Buddies

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I have not been running. Considering that I have a race in 9 days that is not a good thing. But after applying for jobs today, I came home and decided to go for a 3 mile run with my boys before dinner. Running buddies make all the difference.







The Monkey, Running Buddy #1 (always tries to get me to go on late night runs).



 The Moose, Running Buddy #2 (any run over 1 mile and he falls asleep)


We did a pretty fast 3 miles considering the hills and the 100+ lbs of stroller and kids. I am hoping to get a job soon - talked to a staffing agency today - but the best ones will require an 1.5hr one way drive. I am more than willing to do it, but it means that I am going to get my butt out of bed at 4 every morning if I want to run outside.


 Me, after a 3 mile run, feeling fantastic!

I also need to be more dedicated and consistent in my runs. I need a gigantic in my face push every day. So I decided to take my window crayons and write my running schedule for the next few days. I know the monkey will look at it when he gets home from school and if I have not checked off my run, he will want to go with me. I am going to write strength training on the other window.

3 miles down this week, 10 more to go.

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Run Your BQ

So I signed up for Run Your BQ - a program designed by Strength Running's Jason Fitzgerald and No Meat Athelete Matt Frazier. I am miles from a marathon or an actual BQ race (Boston Qualifier - as in qualify to run the Boston Marathon) but I like the idea of having real running coaches helping me refine my training and design a plan that suits my needs. Someday a BQ and maybe even Boston itself will be in my future, and I believe that it's never too easy to prepare and plan!

With that in mind I did a 2 mile run tonight under the beautiful full harvest moon. The night looked so inviting that I had to go out and commune some with nature. Let the Goddess light my way and lift my feet, connect with my spirituality in one of my favorite places. It felt good. I felt good. And I can't wait to get back out there tomorrow.

Friday, September 21, 2012

The struggle continues

I still want a cigarette, but it is not so bad anymore. I have made through the most difficult first three days, and I know I will make it through the rest. Now I need to run. I need to really run, to get back into the groove of running or run/walking 3-5 days a week. I need to be strong and find a strength training program that does not bore me so I can stick with it.

I think I have found a job. Certainly not what I wanted to be doing, but good enough for now, and something I would not feel bad about leaving in 10 months or less if I get the chance to teach somewhere.

I need to train. I am running 4 races this fall. a 10K 10/20/12 in PA & a 5K in Rochester (October), a 4M in Webster (Thanksgiving), a 5K in Seneca Falls (December). I want to stay busy and strong and healthy. So I will struggle on to find my groove of health and happiness.

Monday, September 17, 2012

I want a cigarette.

I quit smoking 4 years ago when I got pregnant with the moose. For years afterwards the smell or taste or even one drag off a cigarette would make me nauseous.

And then I moved to New Orleans without my family. A month of stress and schools and more stress, and a night out with a couple of fellow teachers and I bought my first pack of cigarettes in 4 years. And then I kept buying. Add more stress of losing my job and coming back to New York... I really want a cigarette. But the Monkey did not like to see me smoking. I did not like smoking in front of him. So I promised him I would finish my pack and there would be no more cigarettes. Mommy would not smoke anymore. About 18 hours in, and I really want a cigarette. But I do not have any. I will not go to the store to get any. I will not "bum" one from anyone. I know a few days of cold turkey will power and it will be better. And I know I will continue to want a cigarette for years. The problem with an addiction is you really don't ever get 100% over it. At least I did not.

I am going to focus on moving my addictive tendency to something healthier at least. In my efforts to help me through the roughest part of quitting, I am going to get a treadmill (probably from Craigslist or garage sales) and every time I feel the desperate need for a cigarette, get on and log a mile. My goal is at least 3 miles or more a day through the winter so I can go into Spring healthier than I have been for many years. I have also signed up for 4 races in the next 3 months. Forces me to go for runs/walks - I already spent the money on the race fees - and means that after the first one I can't take a break from running for too long, because another race is just around the corner. I am going to try and find one every 4-5 weeks to get me all the way into spring.

Not everything is going how I pictured it. Losing my job and coming back to New York is not what I planned. Running races and being happy with my family is what I planned, and if New York  is where that happens for me for now, I will make the best of it and concentrate on health and happiness and loving my family. The rest is just details.

Saturday, August 4, 2012

My Whole30 Journey

In June I purchased a book - It Starts With Food - a guide to a 30 day Paleo food journey intended to help people change their lives and improve their health by following a few basic paleo rules. My personal paleo journey has been haphazrd at best for the last 6 months (did great in January and then...) and I felt like this book would help me make some additional changes. Even knowing the paleo "rules" and following them some of the time, there were things I was doing (or not doing) that I know I should (or shouldn't...) Artificial sweetners still entered my diet on a daily basis. I am addicted to cheese (love cheese...) and even though I don't regularly count calories, when I do they are always too high, paleo foods or not.


Enter Whole9.

The Whole9 Life, Whole30 challenge rules are simple.

  1. Paleo foods - Meat, fish, poultry, vegetables, fruits, nuts & seeds (but only if they do not set you off)
  2. no "paleo" substitutes
  3. No dairy (except for ghee)
  4. Food has to conform to the 5 Whole30 rules (all described on their website)
  5. No paleo substitutes.
For me giving up cheese and other dairy will definitely be hardest, and I will admit right now that I am not giving up my 2Tbs of heavy cream in my coffee. I keep trying black coffee and hate it, and now that I am officially a teacher in New Orleans and am lesson planning far into the evening and up very early to start my school day I will NOT give up my coffee. But the rest is doable for me.

Today was my official day 1. I will be taking pics of my meals and uploading them - the winners and losers - with any recipe or recipe link. I will be updating my LoseIt account daily to keep myself on track, and I will start running and strength training again. I have a half marathon coming up in October, and I will not be able to complete it (or the Disney Goofy challenge in January) if I do not get on the ball with training.

I wish I had thought about pics and updating before I had nearly finished my dinner tonight - it was so good!


This is the last 2-3 bites of seriously good thai style shrimp I made for dinner

Thai Almond-Coconut Shrimp - serves 1
3-4oz shrimp (mine were frozen and I thawed them completely, fresh would be even better)
1/4 large onion sliced
1 small bell pepper, sliced
1 jalapeno diced
4-5 sliced crimini mushrooms
fresh basil (to taste - grabbed a stalk or two)
fresh cilantro (same as the basil - but maybe 4-5 stalks)
lime juice
minced garlic
4tbs coconut milk
2 tbs coconut oil
splash fresh squeezed OJ
1/2 tbs almond butter

heat skillet or wok, add all ingredients except 1tbs coconut oil, coconut milk, almond butter, OJ and shrimp. Heat on medium until soft, then simmer with the coconut milk for another 10-15 minutes on low. Should smell fantastic. After simmering, remove tails and de-vein shrimp. Fresh shrimp will take longer to cook, if using frozen or already cooked shrimp, toss them in at the last possible minute - just before plating. Add shrimp and OJ, cook for 60-90 seconds Plate and add the almond butter, give a quick stir. Try not to inhale it all in one bite. So very very satisfying, and one of the only times I have cooked shrimp and not left it on too long. Will be making this again very soon - don't be surprised to see it turn up again in the next 30 days. 

Day 1 down, and I feel good.


Saturday, June 30, 2012

Does it Matter?

I have not lost any weight in 6 months. Oh sure up a couple pounds, down a couple pounds, but not real significant pounds on the scale. I have not lost inches either (gained some though :P). I have not been consistent with my food or my workouts, so really it is to be expected.

I have not been without accomplishments though. I have graduated college, gotten a job, and moved to New Orleans. Since being in New Orleans (almost 2 weeks now) I have worked out at least 4 if not 5 days a week. I have done strength training and gone running. I ran 4 miles today and met a couple people from a running group that meets at Audubon Park every Sunday evening to run. I am meeting up with them tomorrow. I am positive that I will be the slowest and heaviest runner there, but I will still go and hold my head up with pride.

Why? Because I am moving foward. I am making progress. My eating has been more on track, my workouts have become consistent. I am happy (with the exception of missing my hubby and my boys, but they will be joinging me down here in the next few months) and I am making friends and I am joinging groups of other like minded people.

Eventually I will most likely lose weight - actual weight - on the scale. I will likely go down inches, lose a couple dress sizes, and gain some decent muscle. If my runs remain consistent I will get faster. If my strength training remains consistent, and I keep pushing myself, I will get stronger. So eventually it will have to workout. And right now, as much as I would like to lose a large amount of body fat, I don't think it really matters that much. I am happier. I am healthier. I am doing the things I want to do with my life. And I think, in the long run (pun intended) that is what counts.

What do you think?

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Still trudging along

Still here, still going, still Paleo...

Big News - I am finally a college graduate! Didn't think it would ever happen. Hopefully before too long I will also be able to report that I am employed as a teacher. For now I am trying to get my feet back under me.

I will be back again soon...

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Failure

I am a failure. Ever have those days? When the negative thoughts in your head are so loud you can't concentrate on the fact that you are actually spectacular and awesome and feel like the biggest loser out there (please tell me it is not just me!).

My weight has stalled and stagnated again, and it is all my fault. Easter candy and jelly beans (man I love jelly beans) ripped into my mind and grabbed hold and I found myself buying and eating loads of candy. I did not run three days last week, or yesterday, or Monday... so my goal of 4 miles a day is falling flat. I am already not sure I will be able to get 4 miles in today. I have a speech presentation due tomorrow, a paper due tomorrow, an assignment that was due yesterday still to complete, plus classes the rest of the day today.

Plus, it is snowing, and with the cold my motivation is practically non existent. And I do not like my daycare anymore and do not want to take my boys down there. I have 2 hours until class and enough to do to fill 10 hours more. I just want to hide and avoid it all. I need the sun and the warm weather to come back. Maybe then I can find my happy thoughts again.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Goofy Plans

I have mentioned before that I want to do the "Goofy" in 2013 - Disney World Half Marathon on Saturday, followed by the full on Sunday in January 2013. And possible the 5K or 1M kids fun run with the Monkey, he loves to run with me :)

So I am going to train for long runs. No tempo runs, no track, no speed work - the thought leaves me cold. Just 4-5 days a week of hills with a long (1-2 hour) run on Saturday and an even longer (3-4) run on Sunday.

For April, my goal is 4 miles a day, every day. Some runs, lots of walking. May it will be 5 miles a day, with of course longer weekend distances. Some 5-10K races thrown in when I can find and afford them. June 6 miles... you can see the progression right? Every month I will increase the daily mileage to match the month. I will be going s l o w... to decrease injury, and building overall stamina and speed. And I will keep eating a Paleo-Primal diet. No grains, lots of meat, veg, fat, some fruit and the occasional sweet potato (most likely on long run days).

I reserve the right to adjust this when I need to, but right now, this plan makes me feel good.

Marathon

I'm goofy, and next year, I'll have proof :)

Monday, March 26, 2012

Crazy

Am I crazy?  I feel crazy - well a little crazy. Warm spring weather brought back my desire to get outside and run. Of course when I saying "run" I don't even really mean run. I mean, not in the sense of being able to go fast or keep a pace or do tempos runs or speed work or anything. I mean, push the boys (each kid 35+lbs, stroller at least 30lbs...) up and down hills (all I got around here) for as long as I can without them trying to make me crazy (er).

I am going to run the Goofy challenge at Disney World next January. A half marathon on Saturday, and the full marathon on Sunday. It sounds nuts, running 39.3 over 2 days, but I feel like I can do it. So I am going to train with that in mind. My goal for running will be a medium long run on Saturday with a Long long run on Sunday.

I have crazier dreams too, but I am not ready to lay them out just yet.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Kettlebells and Cold Baths

Okay, so I don't want to brag or anything, but I am looking hot lately. Like super hawt :) I have energy galore, I don't want to pass out and fall asleep in the middle of the day (as long as I avoid dairy) and I am running again - and I am going to do my first half marathon in 6 weeks. :)

But back to becoming a rock star paleo running mom. Kettlebells. Kettlebells are awesome! My neighbor and I have been doing them for about a week now, and I can see some toning benefits in my lower body. I need to make them heavier (I made my own kettlebell so I could adjust the weight) to get more out of the upper body, but this is just the best workout. 8-12 minutes and I am done with strength training. Another 20-40 for a good walk/run and I have hit all my fitness goals for the day.

And my upper body is losing fat. My weight really hasn't changed it is staying steady at about 249+-1lb, but I can almost see my overall body fat percentage dropping, so I know that the weight will eventually have to follow. Right now I am doing my best not to freak about it, keep eating my healthy Paleo-Primal diet, and enjoying the want/need/desire to move and be active again.

Friday, March 2, 2012

Overwhelmed by Information

I have been lifting weights since I was 15 years old. Way before it was "cool" or even very common for women to lift anything heavier than a vinyl covered 3lb dumbbell. I have tried every variation of every program there has ever been - I think almost literally. I have lifted light weights for a ridiculous amount of reps. I have lifted heavy weights for 6-8 reps. I have done body weight, I have done free weights, I have done machines. And I feel like I have never really made real progress. I admit I have had issues sticking with stuff sometimes. But when months of consistent and ridiculously hard work have yielded little visible results, it gets harder and harder to keep going.

Starting my Leptin Rx six weeks ago the program meant no working out. My muscles are/were sugar burners, not fat burners. I need to work on changing my brain chemistry and body chemistry so that I burn fat. Now that I have meet most of the change requirements, I am ready to start getting back into exercise. And I feel a little mental pressure in that I am getting some interest from schools out of state to teach next year. I want to be in the best shape of my life when I start teaching in 5-6 months. So I am trying to figure out a program that with 6 months of hard dedicated work will yield some visible results. I just don't know what to do anymore. One of the Beachbody programs I already have? Something cobbled together from my fitness magazines? Something from one of the countless exercise books I have? Something from any number of DVD programs? I just don't know anymore. I love lifting weights, I feel strong when I do it, but I feel like I need some structure, and my brain just isn't up to figuring it out right now. Part of me thinks I should do a program I have that is laid out for 90 days so I don't have to think about it, but I get so bored... I don't want to start the same program I have started and never made it past 2 weeks again... I haven't even watched most of the workouts because I never get that far in the program...

I just feel a little hopeless and confused right now (as well as extra fat and out of shape today). I need to do something, but what?

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Mad

I am mad. I am spitting nails angry.

What am I angry at? Conventional Wisdom. The conventional wisdom that told me at 17 and 5'11 I should weigh 113lbs. The conventional wisdom that has told me throughout y adult life that I must be a lazy glutton because I could not eat little enough or workout long enough and hard enough to lose weight.

The conventional wisdom that constantly tells me that I can save money by cutting back on my credit card spending (don't have any), go out to eat or for entertainment less each month (haven't gone out to eat in except for with family that picked up the bill in 4 or more years, haven't seen a movie in 5) by cutting back on things like TV and internet (haven't cut back on internet, no cable, no satellite TV...).

I am mad at the conventional wisdom that never told me that the problems I have had with my teeth and my nails for the last 20 years have a direct correlation to my weight, energy, overall health...

I wish I had found and stuck with primal style eating 15-20 years ago. I am happy that I have found it now, and I am glad that I will be rebuilding the next 2/3rds of my life to be optimally fit and healthy, but I am angry that it took so long. I am going to use this angry to change me, change my family, and eventually change the world!

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Leptin - The Big Bad Master Hormone and Me

I think this is working. Granted I am up 4lbs this week, but as I am just ending my TOM, that is really not bad. And I am not concerned.

Last week I started following Dr. Jack Kruse's Leptin Reset program in conjunction with the primal diet. It will take a long time for me to regain leptin sensitivity, but I am confident I can follow this WOE for the rest of my life. Heck, I already have a little proof that it is working!

Normally my TOM is 7 days of excessive bleeding, cramps, mood swings and uncontrollable cravings. I would normal ditch a low carb or primal WOE as soon as the first strains of PMS hit. Except they didn't hit this month. I did bow to the demand for chocolate because it wasn't there. I did not eat bread despite making two fresh loafs in the past 2 days. Was briefly tempted by the smell of the bread and cut it up for the hubby and the boys with barely a second thought.

And best of all... The excessive bleeding I mentioned usually requires 3 days of pads AND tampons that are changed every hour-2 hours. I thought I was going to be in some serious trouble because I forgot to pick up tampons when I went grocery shopping - and only had about 6 left. I only need 5 total! Because instead of 3 days of heavy bleeding it was 1/2 a day! And after 3- 3.5 days my TOM is DONE! I am amazed. And despite this head/chest cold that will not go away I feel awesome.

There is one more part of this that I think is really working for me.

`
Photo from A&E TV website, for "Hoarders"

While I was never quite "Hoarders" bad I am admittedly a slob. I don't mean to be or want to be, but I get overwhelmed and can't deal. In that respect my kitchen has been a disaster since before Christmas - especially with 5 puppies getting into every thing and not quite being completely housebroken. It was all I could do to keep up with cleaning up after them and getting enough dishes done to make dinner before I was mentally and physically overwhelmed by it all.

But Saturday I looked at my kitchen and said to myself - "Man I need to clean this place up!" And did it. Without wanting to cry, without being overwhelmed, and in just over an hour my kitchen was more or less clean. I need to mop the floor 2X a day (puppies) but still. For thise that know me personally they know what a big deal this is.

So going primal and fixing my leptin is fixing me inside and out, mentally and physically. I cannot wait for the tomorrow and next week and next month and the spring and summer and fall and next year because I know each day living this life is bringing me one more step closer to the super awesome person I am supposed to be!

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Cartwheels

I could never really do a good summersault. My belly got in the way. And handstands or headstands were far beyond the ability of my upper body to support the rest of my weight. But I could pull off a decent cartwheel. I was known to do a random one out of sheer happiness and excess energy now and again. I have not done a cartwheel in at 13 years.

But I feel like I could do one today. I am too scared to attempt it right now, but I have the energy and joy that I used to have when I would do them.

The joy comes from seeing my stepson for the first time in 10 years - and finally introducing him to his little brothers.

It comes from finally bouncing off my stalled weight plateau and incrementally headed down.

It comes from eating well, being satisfied and NOT craving junk at "that" time of the month.

It comes from being on the right path and knowing it. :)

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Goals not met so far...

Okay, I have been having serious trouble meeting my goals for January - as evidenced by the fact that I have not been posting everyday as was my initial intention. I have not been working out very much either.

On the plus side, I have been following my primal WOE (way of eating - I like this so much better than "diet") with a good 80/20 success rate. I know I eat more dairy and nuts than recommended (I have been keeping it full fat and organic as much as possible) and I have nibble on hot dogs (not recommended) and ranch dressing (has "modified food starch - a clever way to say "wheat") which I suspect has stalled my progress somewhat. I gained 5lbs the first week on PB (Primal Blueprint) putting me at 259, but that has come back down to 253.4 - and I suspect another pound or two has come off since I weighed myself last week, but as I have no heat right now (ran out of oil for the furnace, can't get a delivery until Monday, been 35-45 in my house for 4 days!), I am not getting undressed to weigh myself any time soon!

When I have low carbed and tried Paleo or clean eating in the past I have never let go of my splenda, or "Atkins approved" treats... so I had never had the taste bud shift. This time (while I still use Stevia in my coffee) I have avoided treats in general this month. So the other day when I made a steak for dinner and dipped a bite in steak sauce, my first reaction was "OMG how much sugar is in this stuff!" - apparently 2g per serving, and a serving ain't all that big! My new preferred steak sauce is a dash of sea salt and a pat of organic butter, so good - I could eat my weight in steak when it is prepared right! :)

So, I will eventually LHT (Lift Heavy Things) most likely using ChaLEAN Extreme, I will sprint using Turbo Fire, and I will get in lots of movement running or using my NordicTrack Ski machine. I know if I follow these PB "laws" I will see the success I want!

Friday, January 6, 2012

ChaLEAN Extreme and Turbo Fire

This is what you get when you let a four year old monkey boy pick your workout programs. He likes the ones with the girls best :)

I have not gotten out to run since Sunday. I am hoping that I will be able to tomorrow. Food has been pretty good., Higher carb and a bit of sugar today - but the sugar was in the form of craisins and a tsp of honey instead of the nutter butter bar that smelled so good...

I have done 2 days of CLX and 2 Turbo Fire HIIT workouts. I think I am going to do INSANITY too at least for January. Might as well go hardcore for the 4 weeks that I do not have anything else taking up my time.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Cold

Too cold to run outside with the boys again today. I think the temp is going back up tomorrow. I need a treadmill ...

I have tons of DVDs I could have done today, but the thought of them left me cold so I decided to "rest" today. Now I am off to bed to get some real sleep.

Monday, January 2, 2012

Day 1 CLX

I asked the monkey which program I should start. He decided on the one "with the girl" :) He has always had a thing for blondes. So today was day 1 of ChaLEAN Extreme. I did not get my miles in today - blizzard like conditions meant I couldn't get outside with the boys and the timing did not work going by myself.

Paleo eating was good today - although cravings for chocolate have been hitting fairly hard. I am getting some blood tests tomorrow and not eating anything until late afternoon - getting my thyroid, vit D and cholesterol checked. Maybe some other things too. I am hoping something will shed light on my "failure to progress" in improving my shape.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

A Primal New Year

I am not sorry to see 2011 go... car accident, financial troubles, housing difficulties (roommate) and my laptop got stolen just before Christmas meaning all of my computing/blogging/surfacing is being done via phone - not fun. 2011 was not my best year.

Certainly one of the highlights was finding the primal lifestyle. In the half-@ssed way I have been following it for the last 2 months I have already noticed changes - including how sick wheat makes me. I have confidence that following it with more discipline will bring a myriad of health improvements.

I did not make any resolutions this year. I have set myself goals for the next month and will continue in that vein for the year.

January Goals

Strict primal eating for the next 31 days: No grains, no sugar, no processed foods. High quality foods including loads of veggies and fruits, meat - as much grass-fed and organic as I can afford - and healthy fats.

Low carb: As a natural consequence of cutting out grains I will reduce my carb intake. I know I feel better when I keep my carbs to the trace amounts found in vegetables and nuts and fruits, I will be trying to maintain a lower carb primal diet to jump off my weight loss. I will review that at the end of the month to see if I want to continue that way or change it up.

Daily Miles: I will walk or run or a combo of both everyday - outside as much as possibel. I am aiming for 3 miles a day but I will be flexible. The important thing is to get myself and the boys outside as much as possible.

P90X/ChaLEAN Extreme: I need some regimented strength training. I am going to try P90X again and trust myself and the fact that I put on muscle way faster than I take off fat.

Blogging: I will at least check in here daily to keep myself accountable.

These are my goals for January to help me make 2012 my best year yet. How are you going to become the best you in 2012?