Looking back on 2012...

So I haven't mentioned it here before but I have a (semi-defunct) craft blog that I kind of lost interest in this summer as I really got serious about my health and weight loss. Here is the post I wrote last January that I wanted to share...

MY 2012 WORD OF THE YEAR

This was the first year that I ever heard of people choosing a word of the year instead of a resolution. So I thought long and hard about what I wanted my word to be and now, 16 days into the new year I finally decided…

My word of 2012 is NOW. Yes, just plain now. I read blogs where other people chose fun things like sparks or bubbles. I wanted mine to be fun and creative too. So I kept thinking about it.

I tried to find something fancy. I started with the word determination (because that’s what I want to have more of this year) but I didn’t like the ring to that. So I put determination in the thesaurus and came up with the word spunk. I was like “Sweet…I would say that I am spunky!” Well, after googling spunk and coming up with many questionable images, I discovered that apparently in British slang spunk means semen…needless to say spunk was out.

So I thought and thought. And then I decided I needed something simple, something that describes what I want for myself. And it was now.

I should probably explain that I wasn’t so grounded as I am right now in my life. I’ve moved around a lot since college, always searching for the right thing. The right job, the right place to live, etc. My cousin Matt once told me that I am always looking toward the future, something better, so I never get to enjoy what I have now. It’s like that Ferris Bueller quote…

Ferris was totally right! And so was Matt!

I haven’t shared much of my personal life with you all, but the last 4 years have been very rough for me. One day I will share the details, but basically I went though several traumatic events in a short period of time. And, I really wasn’t sure at the time if I was strong enough to get through them. Looking back I don’t know how I ever did….but I’m so glad that I did. I feel so incredibly lucky to have so many wonderful people in my life that were there to support me. Without them I definitely couldn’t have done it!

Sometimes life just doesn’t turn out like you planned and you just feel lost and stuck…but the time is NOW to do do something about it! Well, at least my time is NOW!

So in my early 30′s I’ve had to start over from scratch. I’ve had to find a new direction and try to figure out for the first time as an adult who I am and what I want. In some ways, I have more than I knew I wanted…but in other ways, some things are definitely missing. NOW is the time to fill in those gaps.

NOW is the time to be healthier and fit and finally feel good about my body.

NOW is the time to learn how to love myself more and criticize myself less.

NOW is the time to finish what I start.

NOW is the time to do all the things I always wanted to do…especially if I am afraid.

NOW is the time to have more fun and laugh more often.

NOW is the time to stop talking and start doing.

Instead of being sad about what I don’t have, NOW is the time to figure out how to make it happen, while appreciating all the things that I do have.

It’s like one of my favorite quotes…

Source: giniethepiratequeen.tumblr.com via Jamie on Pinterest

NOW is the time to live my life and not wait on the future anymore…whatever it may hold!

So hopefully in 2012 these three little letters will help me in my quest to grow and change and be more who I want to be. Good luck with all your goals in 2012.

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So that was me almost a year ago...how time flies! On my next post I will tell you my new word of the year and tell you how I did with my 2012 word.

Until later, happy running, 

Jamie

Finding inspiration - Flintland blog post

During the Olympics I wrote a blog post about finding inspiration from Oscar Pistorius. I didn't think anything about my "finding inspiration" post until this week I found some more. So I think I will make this a regular thing...writing about people and things that inspire me.

This week I was reading a blog I really enjoy, Runs for Cookies, and in one of the comments, another reader mentioned this post called "Hey Fat Girl" from another blogger. From the title, it may not sound so nice, but really, the post is very inspirational! Here's a screenshot. Go read it, really!

Being fat, it's easy to feel inadequate working out next to all those fit people. At the gym, I used to wear my baggie t-shirt and sweat pants because I felt awkward...but you know what? Those clothes are hot and just get weighed down with sweat! So I started to wear workout clothes...and yes they are tight! And yes I look fat in them! (and by the way, finding larger workout clothes isn't so easy!) But I decided, SO WHAT?!? So what if I am wearing tight clothes and I'm fat...I'm trying to be thinner. I decided that if people want to stare and make fun of me, go ahead. But if someone decides to stare at me and judge, they will also notice I am at the gym on the treadmill and/or elliptical for a hour almost everyday. So judge that. :)

When I did my first 5K this year, I felt awkward about being fat because the only other overweight people (there were only a few) were like 60. But, running over the finish line at my best competitive time ever trumped that feeling of inadequacy - I felt strong and proud of myself, despite a "slow" pace compared to others. And for the first time in my life, I felt like a real athlete!

So Flintland's blog post really made me feel good knowing that those fit athletes are behind us fat athletes and that they want us to succeed. And we do appreciate the encouragement! Last night, I went to do my walk over the Kemah bridge in preparation for my 10K (over that very bridge next weekend) and there was a lady on a bike on the other side of the traffic from me and she gave me a thumbs up. I just smiled and went on my way, ignoring the fact that I was, right at that moment, feeling insecure about wearing tight clothes on a public bridge. So thanks lady on the bike! And thanks guy in my neighborhood a few months ago for cheering for me as he passed me on the walking trail. And thanks to my 2 fit buddies who workout with me everyday after school and encourage me. It makes a difference!

Until later, happy running!
Jamie

Getting back into my routines

I don't think that I have mentioned it before but I am a high school teacher and my summer officially came to an end today when I had to go back to school. I am sad summer (and all that free time) is over but I am kind of excited about the new school year and getting back to a normal routine. I also feel like this time of the year is good to think about and set some goals of what I want to accomplish for the rest of 2012, as well as the rest of the upcoming year.

Source: thefirstgradeparade.blogspot.com via Terri on Pinterest

As far as exercise goes, I have done very little since my preliminary diagnosis of a medial meniscus tear last Monday. I tend to be an all or nothing person so because I can't do what I want (run), I choose to do nothing. Stupid, right? That is something about myself that I really want to work on. But the good news is that I have been eating much better this last week and counting my calories.

I planned to work out today but my best friend had car trouble and I ended up staying late at school with her...plus I was tired because I was anxious today and couldn't sleep! But I'll back on the plan for the gym and tomorrow is a new day! So I may not be where I thought I would have been by now but I am getting back on track! I'm so lucky I have friends to go to the gym with in the afternoons and push me to be better!

Source: google.com via Megan on Pinterest

I have a 10K coming up that I still need to train for, even though I plan to walk. I go back to the orthopedist next week so hopefully my knee will be better soon. But I know I need to do something in the mean time...training is training...it really shouldn't matter that I can't run, as long as I am active.

Until later, happy running!
Jamie

Finding Inspiration - Oscar Pistorius

I love the Olympics. Yes, they have become very commercialized in the last couple decades, but the competitive spirit is still there and stronger than ever. In my quest to be a runner, I find a lot of inspiration in Oscar Pistorius. The fact that a double amputee could make it to the Olympics, let alone the the 400m finals is amazing! The whole world is proud of you Oscar!

Source: examiner.com via Jamie on Pinterest

I love his quote:

Source: oscarpistorius.com via Catherine on Pinterest

Despite being such a hard-working athlete who has earned the right to be a little cocky, he seemed humbled by his whole Olympic experience...which just made all of us love him that much more. What a genuinely amazing person! OK...I will also admit that he is also wicked hot and has that awesome South African accent also...definite bonuses!

So let's be like Oscar and all work toward our true abilities!

Source: google.com via John on Pinterest

Until later, happy running!
Jamie