2006 - The Year of Being Fit!

Ah, it's that time once again. Time to reflect on the past year and plan for the future! Fitness-wise, 2005 was the Year of the Struggle. I wasn't being consistent with my exercise, nutrition was just okay, and my knees really threw things out of whack over the summer (patella femoral pain syndrome.) But it was also a year of recovery and getting back to basics; a year of going slow and implementing routines I could live with; a year with a breakthrough towards the end in realizing that I have finally changed my attitude towards exercise and nutrition.

And now we're moving into 2006! Sometimes I make New Year's resolutions, sometimes I don't -- but this is a year to strengthen my resolve to lose fat and gain muscle. I've quit smoking as a New Year's resolution -- 16 years and counting, smoke-free! -- surely, I can resolve to get fit! But like quitting smoking, it isn't going to be easy. There are going to be bad days and good days; it's going to take creativity and ingenuity. But you know what? Lots of people do get fit; there's no reason I can't either. Barring any medical problems, major trauma/crisis, there's really no excuse for not taking care of yourself! Okay, well, there are TONS of excuses -- heck, I'm the queen of excuses -- but, seriously, it's time to put one foot in front of the other and get moving!

So, my New Year's resolution, a general one, is to get fit. I want to make exercise a priority in my life, as well as healthy eating. More specifically, I resolve to start (and complete!) Paige's 12 Week to Weight Loss program. I want to do this for several reasons, but mostly I just want to be strong and have more energy. I've been fit before; it was a fantastic feeling! I want that feeling back again, and I want it to last throughout my life. I do believe that fitness is a lifelong commitment, and I want to live up to that belief and practice what I preach.

If you're new to my blog, you can find a blurb about me here -- and feel free to read the older entries to see what I've been going through (October, November, December). You'll see I wasn't kidding about having good days and bad days! You just have to learn to rebound back faster from the bad days!

So, here's to 2006 -- The Year of Being Fit!