Goals to feel great in 2008

[Lisa Newton]

What changes do you want to make in 2008 to improve your healthy lifestyle? What worked for you in 2007 that you want to continue or to build upon?

Inquiring minds want to know.....................................

[Mamacita Chilena]

In 2007 I got down to my all time lowest adult weight, but I did it primarily through stress- I was planning a wedding, in Chile, and NOTHING in this country works so it was hell just trying to get vendors/caterers, etc to follow through...so yeah, I was just stressed and busy and not eating enough. Often I'd be running around all day without a moment to have a meal, so at night I'd binge. But somehow I lost weight. So anyways, my goal is to get back down to that all time lowest weight, but do it in a healthier way this time-through exercise as well as diet changes. I'm chronicling my weekly weigh-in's on my blog, every Tuesday (http://www.theskinnyinchile.com/2008/01/weekly-weigh-in_22.html) to try and hold myself more accountable. So far it's working, I've lost a little over 3 pounds since the start of Jan!

[David]

The changes I would like to meet in 2008 to improve my healthy lifestyle, are several: I have been rehabbing me knee for several years, and I should probably seek arthroscopic surgery; I would like to drink more Green Tea; Improve my Swim routine both on a time basis per day, and a daily basis per week; and I would like more hours in the day! Great Discussion Group, btw.

[Redhead Mommy]

I'm going to try and lose another 15 lbs. this year to get into a size 6. I'm really working on my arms because I still have a "gobble gobble."

As for food, I'm swearing off all preservatives, additives and hormones. I've already done this on a small scale, but am really going to work on cooking fresh. I'm afraid of what MSG and other things like that do to our systems...they already know that hormones in meat/cheese cause a lower sperm count in males, i'm afraid about what else they do. My biggest fear is dying of cancer, and if I can limit that exposure I will.

[Carol]

I do have a goal but I'm almost afraid to say this out loud (or type it). Of course I'd like to get all this weight off - that's a given but I have something bigger in mind and it cannot be obtained in one year.

I'm afraid to say it because honestly, I think it's a pipe dream and that I'll never be able to accomplish this and so if I say it, I might be making a fool out of myself if/when time proves me a failure. But here goes...

I'd like to run a 26k marathon some day. I want to be one of those people that loses lots of weight and wears a number on their back while competing. In In order to do this I'd have to get ALL this weight off and quit smoking. I've never been a good runner. I've been humiliated in school for years because I was always the fat kid that came in last while running the 600 yd dash.

130 lbs seems impossible to lose so I probably shouldn't think beyond that - but this discussion got me to really dig deep into what I want and if the sky's the limit, then I just reached for it!

[Diana Young, RD, LD/N, CDE]

You definitely should think beyond the 130 and to run that marathon is a motivator. You go girl!

[Alyssa]

Carol, you can do it! I'd always heard that distance runners weren't good speed runners, and vice-versa. So if you had trouble with the 600, maybe distance running at a steadier pace is more your thing? As for the weight, just take it a pound at a time. Yes, it will probably take more than a year, but however long it takes is however long it takes, y'know? And if you're doing it because YOU want to, and not to please someone else, you'll be able to do it.

Have you considered joining a group, like Team In Training? There are lots of organizations that train people to run or walk marathons and half-marathons, as well as other races. They have lots of folks who are just starting out, and the camaraderie might make it more fun.

[Alyssa]

After 15 months of thinking about it ( and by "thinking" of course, I mean worrying and analyzing it TO DEATH!), I am FINALLY going for my Pilates instructor certification next month. And then, ACE certification, and doing a home-study PiYo cert. (It's a combination of pilates and yoga.)

I will continue to pay attention to my body's hunger and satiety signals, and listen to it when it's screaming for fresh, good food. I've recently gone back into therapy to deal with my issues,lol, so I'll continue that, as well!

I will no longer speak to myself in a way that is demeaning. If someone said those things to my kids, I'd go ballistic, so why do I talk about myself that way?

I will be grateful for all that I have, including my health!