But before I go there...I want to recap a bit of 2013. So many positive things have happened within the last year. I'm sure I'm forgetting many highlights...but here are just a few in no particular order...
- This year, Christmas was different. For as long as I can remember (10+ years at least) I've hated the holidays. They have always been a time of high stress, fighting, overeating, and serious depression. All of that is bad enough, not to mention the obnoxious music on EVERY radio station, crowded shopping experiences, and gaudy decorations everywhere you look! It's been a long standing joke amongst friends and family that I hate Christmas..but am still a fan of Jesus. That's been my slogan for years. I don't think people really understood how serious I was about the whole issue... But this year really was different. I entered the holiday season with more gratitude and less attitude. I found myself listening to the radio in the car, watching Christmas movies on Netflix, and decorating my house and classroom. Big changes. The biggest change though has been inside. I don't really even know how to explain it, but this year I feel like I haven't felt in years. I am happy. I am thankful. I am able to celebrate.
- I have met and become friends with some great people from my church! Throughout the year I was a part of 3 different small groups...2 that will be continuing in 2014. It has been super refreshing to meet people from all walks of life and to learn from/with them. It has given me a greater appreciation for my church and our wonderful leadership.
- While on the topic of church, 2013 was the year that I finally got involved. The first Sunday that I attended The River was way back in the fall of 2008. I had just graduated from college, landed my first teaching job, and was on the search for a church. My friend and I went through the church directory in the local paper and visited 20+ churches before we visited The River. After the service as over, I knew that I was home! I didn't go consistently for at least another year or so...life was busy...the church kept changing locations..and I found it incredibly hard to get connected. But this year I put aside some of my anxieties about church and signed up for one of the lowest risk jobs out there...bulletin passer-outer. And I do it with a smile!
- I started working out with a group of people at school. As part of our wellness initiative, we have a wellness coach that we meet with several times a year. She is also teaching a workout class called Move 45. We meet every Monday and Thursday for 45 minutes of movement! It's intense and I'm usually hurting when we're done, but I'm also now keeping up with the majority of the class!
- I've lost weight! I think this is the first time ever that I can say I've been successful at intentional weight loss! I'm not where I want to be, but I'm further from where I used to be! I received many compliments when I returned to school this fall. I don't remember a time when I've felt this good physically!
I must say, I'm excited about 2014! I want to continue on my health journey, meet more people, continue to build relationships, and expand this brain of mine. Here are my January goals...
- Lose 4% of my body weight. (Doing a DietBet by myself instead of putting $20 on the line...didn't work out for me so well last time! I don't imagine this will be too much of an issue after the overindulgence I experienced over the holiday. If I go back to what I was doing, I know I'll see results! This will also put me in the 250s!)
- Finish reading Every Body Matters by Gary Thomas. (I'm 3 chapters in...I can do this!)
- Move more. (My goals on my BodyMedia are 45 minutes of moderate activity a day and 8,000 steps. Shouldn't be a problem for most days...)
And there it is! I'm looking forward to a terrific January!
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