5 days in and going strong.

2013 is off to a whirlwind start for me! In 5 days I've run/walked a 5k and taught 9 classes - 7 Zumba classes, 1 Sentao and 1 TurboKick class! My very first TurboKick class! How crazy is that!?

Three of those were today, in fact. I started out with an hour of TurboKick, then did an hour of Zumba with Sarah, and ended with an hour of low impact option Zumba at the YMCA. Long morning, but it was worth it!

Now I'm sitting here pondering food for the week. I'm probably going to make veggie trays for lunch this week. Thinking about doing vegetarian baked beans, carrots, peas, and maybe lima beans. Maybe do some days with sweet potatoes instead of baked beans. Just to try something different.

Tomorrow I've got another 3 hour of Zumba day. Sentao, Zumba or Zumbatomic and then my 75 minute class at the YMCA. I love my crazy Sundays!

Today was not the best day for food, I gave in and had three pieces of pizza for dinner. Mindless eating while watching football. Oh well... I'll work it off tomorrow.

Now to keep working on my budget and organizing stuff more. Getting close to feeling comfortable with my finances and my savings goals.

Now if I can just get the boy on board!

Starting 2013 off RIGHT

So, tomorrow is it... the last day of 2012.  I get up, go to work, spend the evening with friends and wake up in a new year.
I may try to stay up and ring in the new year but it would be difficult... I have a 5k to run in the morning.  At 9am.  And it's an hour away. Oof.
Oh well.

Today I went grocery shopping and restocked on all the healthy stuff I need.  Then I made a giant pot of stew in the crock pot to allow me to eat well for lunch the 4 days I work this week.  Then I worked out, and worked on flash cards for AFAA Primary Group Exercise and my TurboKick classes.

I paid bills and worked on my budget.  I updated my calendar.  I got my eyebrows waxed.

I taught an awesome, intense, sweaty hour and fifteen minutes of Zumba.

I ate a delicious dinner and FroYo with my best friends. We watched football and hung out.

I finally feel like I've got things in hand.  I have a plan and I'm working the plan and it's working for me.

In the new year I'm doing a couple of cool things.  First up DietBet!

Roni - who I adore - is doing a DietBet with her readers and the internet at large.  It's awesome! I'm totally stoked. And scared.  12 pounds is a lot for me to lose in a month.  I'm going to do my damnedest though! I WANT TO BE IN THE WINNERS CIRCLE!

Then,  Dani - who is on my long list of newly developed girl crushes from FitBloggin - over at Weight Off My Shoulders is doing a Progress Not Perfection challenge - 8 weeks, track all the things, be accountable to everyone else.  I'm excited about that too. I always do better when I feel like everyone is watching my every move.  This is going to be good for me.

Also, I'm adding in TurboKick. Sentao and Toning classes in to my schedule on a weekly basis now.  I will be getting to use all my certifications/licenses  I'm even hoping to get Hustle back on the schedule in the next month or so.  Just something fun and different to switch things up.

The most important thing is that everything is being done on my terms.  I'm taking control and I'm making decisions and I'm not letting myself be second fiddle to anyone.  Not at work, not in the fitness world, not at home.

One of the biggest lessons for me in 2012 is that I sabotage myself by being too nice and not making waves. I avoid confrontation and am afraid to hurt anyone and that's great, it's who I am and it's part of why people like me... I'm a big old softie...but it also lets me get walked on.  I need to be more forward and honest and forthcoming.  I've been working on it for the last few months and I'm getting more confident in it.

I'm ready to get through tomorrow and wave in 2013 with a smile and a rocking time on my 5k.

What are YOU doing to get 2013 started off on the right foot?

Evolution of goals

So, yesterday will be one of my get out of posting free cards. Not because I didn't want to post or I was too busy but because I hurt my calf, took a muscle relaxer and human sentences were not possible. Sorry, folks.

Today's prompt - how have your goals evolved/changed is an interesting one.

I think the biggest change is that my goals have become more concrete and less about numbers and more about truly measurable/visible tangible things.

I no longer want to be thin or weigh 160 pounds or less - I want to be able to shop for clothes in normal clothing stores, not have to go plus size specialty stores for everything. 

I no longer want to have a healthy BMI.  I want to be strong and fit - able to bench press 100 pounds, do full push ups, be able to do burpees with correct form, run a sub 30 5k.

The reason for the shift in my goals is the realization that, as a patient with thyroid issues and PCOS I can't hold myself to standards like BMI - they may never apply to me as healthy is going to look different on me. 

To Jam or not to Jam...

This evening I an plagued with self doubt.  One of my biggest dreams in the world of Zumba is to become a Jammer.

I want to be able to go around and share my choreography with people all over the state, the country.  I want to hold master classes and Jam sessions and all of the other awesomeness that being a Jammer entails.

Today, I was informed that a call has just gone out for Jammer applications here in North Carolina.  AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

I want to apply.  I know there are going to be dozens of applications from some of the amazingly talented ZINs here in NC and the chances of me getting the gig are very small but... I don't know how long it'll be till there's another chance to even apply.

Since finding out I've been playing the what if game and bouncing back and forth with reasons to go for it and reasons not to.

The big road block?  I'm not ACE or AAFA certified.  I'm planning on doing the group ex cert during the Februrary APEX event next year but that's the weekend before the Jammer training and I don't think that'l fly.

So if I can't do it during APEX, I'm looking at $300 to do the home study course.  I don't know if I can spare that kind of cash.  I already need to get two more Zumba licenses in the next couple of months and I need to be saving up for vacation and general savings and putting money away towards a new wardrobe and Christmas presents.

Still, I feel like I'm using that as an excuse to not take the leap and throw my hat in the ring.

I'm a good instructor. I'm a good dancer.  I'm a pretty good choreographer, too! The local ZINs are never afraid to come to me and say "I want a routine to this!" and I'm always willing to try!

I've choreographed a bunch of fun routines that my students love. Among them:

• A cumbia style pop routine to Tik-Tok by Ke$ha
• A reggaeton to Pin Pon by El Medico
• A cha-cha to Corizon Espinado by Santana
• A cumbia to Loco from ZIN 38
• A pop disco to Knock on Wood - the Zumba cover
• A tango to Material Girl - Madonna
• A Broadway toning to I'm a Woman - Smokey Joe's Cafe
• A pop toning to Boyfriend by Justin Beiber
• A funky toning to Bureo, Bureo - Zumba megamix
• A salsa toning to Conga by Gloria Estefan
• Hip Hop toning routines to Freak by Estelle, Lose My Breath by Destinys Child and Milkshake by Kelis
• A fun soca soul train routine to YOU by Machel Montano

I've got like 6 other routines in the works, an axe, two salsas, a merengue, another cumbia, and a Soca.  I LOVE doing choreography and I am always looking for any excuse to test out my skills on a new rhythm or genre.  I have a sketched out punk/metal/rock toning routine to Keep Em Separated by the Offspring.

I know I have a lot to learn and there's a whole world of music out there for me to dive in to.  BUT what if this is the last cal for Jammers for a long time.  What if this is the only chance I'll have.  Do I really want to wind up regretting not at least trying it, getting my name out there.

There's a lot for me to think about.  I don't have to decide tonight but it has to be quick.  I have to have my application in by November 1st.  And I'd have to have a plan for my AFAA certification in place just as quick.

AHHHHHHHH PANIC TIME!

Whoops! Blast you real life!

So much has happened since the 19th I hardly know where to begin.  As for my goals from last week - a quick round up...

1. Finish C25k Week 1 and continue with week 2. Have completed W2D1 and W2D2 is tomorrow.  The first day of week 2 kicked my butt! I love it!

2. Drink a minimum of 100oz of water a day. So done... I am still on track with this and I float through my days.  Woohoo!

3. Try another new fruit or vegetable. Yep. I tried to conquer white asparagus... not a fan.

4.  Set aside some time to do something "nice" for myself this week.  Eyebrows got done but my hair is looking too good to cut right now LOL. 

5. Spend at least 10 minutes each day on new choreography. My brain is flooded with new choreography!

Ok.  So, the reason why you guys didn't get these updates on the 20th, or 21st, or well.. any of the days before now is that real life swallowed me whole.  In the best of ways. 

The 21st was the first official event for Trio Fitness. A Zumbathon for the Connor Wayne Combs Foundation. It was a great, sweaty, success.

The Trio Fitness Ladies... gettin ready...

Yeah... we're kind of like the Charlies Angels... of fitness.

Me rocking the Ella Me Copia

All three of us poppin them hips!

The aftermath... a sweaty mess!

Yeah, it was a good day!.  3 hours of Zumba followed by a carbohydrate heavy lunch and a workout hangover and an insane Sunday lead to a week of craziness in work, in Zumba and personally as well.

This time on phentermine has made me realize how addicted I am to food.  The cool thing about the appetite suppressant to me right now is that it makes me only really want to eat 3 times a day...

I've been listening to doctors for so long and all of them have had different ideas about what I needed to do to get the weight off and I've tried to listen to each of them in turn to give their hunches a try. What wound up happening is I wound up being addicted to the constant flow of food and when I tried to change my eating to more calorie dense, lower volume foods it got harder to stay within my calorie range.

But I'm addicted to eating like every 2-3 hours now and the phentermine has killed that addiction because I don't get the hunger signals and even when I do give in and snack on something I eat two bites and my stomach says NO, NO ROOM AT THE INN.  Today I had a bit of an upset stomach (forgot my acid reflux meds) and I snacked on 2 hard pretzels in little bites through the whole day.  That was the extent of my snacks. 

Only eating 3 meals a day I'm eating well below 2000 calories a day unless I force myself to eat something more calorie dense to ensure that I'm not eating too little on my heavy cardio days. 

I have seen a total difference in how my body feels before, during and after my workouts.  My sleep patterns are more even and I feel more rested.  AND today I weighed in 12 pounds down from where I was 2 Thursdays ago.  That's INSANE.  I hadn't lost 12 pounds in the last two months.  Such a huge change.

Aside from all of that I'm enjoying my 5k training, I'm getting psyched up for my Basic 2 Zumba License class this Sunday and the National Dance Day flash mob AND the Zumba convention in 2 weeks. 

There's so much going on that I feel like I'm going 24/7 but I feel more rested and relaxed than I have in a long time.  I love that things are just happening.  It's stressful as hell some days but, overall, life is taking care of itself.  I do have bad days and feel like I can't handle it bit I'm surrounded by love and friendship and some of the best coworkers ever so I KNOW I can get through anything. 

Goals Update - 7/19

1. Finish C25k Week 1 and continue with week 2. Tomorrow morning is W1D3!

 2. Drink a minimum of 100oz of water a day. 160 oz at work.  3 1 quart bottles during workouts and another one going down now.  I'm a fishy!

3. Try another new fruit or vegetable. This will have to be a weekend thing.  I never have a chance to shop during the week.

4.  Set aside some time to do something "nice" for myself this week.  A pedicure, a hair cut, a manicure SOMETHING to pamper myself. Hair cut. Friday.  Eyebrows.  Also Friday!

5. Spend at least 10 minutes each day on new choreography. Conga, Ai Se Eu Te Pego and Ojoitos Chiquitos.  Woohoo! There will be 3 new songs next week.  Success!

Today was much better in terms of the side effects of the appetite suppressant.  I think I just went too low on calories yesterday and that's what made the side effects more noticeable.  Today I focused on fruits and veggies and making sure I still got some carbs in.  I had also gone WAYYYYY low on carbs yesterday.  I feel better.  Let's see if I still feel better tomorrow!

7/18 Goals update

1. Finish C25k Week 1 and continue with week 2. 33 minutes, 1.91 miles. Early mornings SUCK but I did it! I wanted to DIE on my last interval... I don't know if it was because I ran before I took my allergy meds but I was phlemgy and felt like I had it stuck in my throat.  I'd like to avoid that feeling in the future. 

2. Drink a minimum of 100oz of water a day. I lost count... close to 200oz.

3. Try another new fruit or vegetable. Soon!

4.  Set aside some time to do something "nice" for myself this week.  A pedicure, a hair cut, a manicure SOMETHING to pamper myself. Hair cut. Friday.  Eyebrows.  Also Friday!

5. Spend at least 10 minutes each day on new choreography. Fine tuning the Toning choreography for Conga and started learning Ai Se Eu Te Pego.  As I understand it's a semi-line dance that's big in various European and Latin American countries.  A student showed it to me and I aim to please.  Also... I dig the song. 

Tonight was kind of a sucky night.  I had a bit of a headache all afternoon and then while teaching Zumba it got worse.  I skipped the second Zumba class and came home to try to relax.  After eating dinner I felt about 50% better but still kind of blah.  Hoping it was a combination of the long day, the lower caloric intake and stress.

Goals update.. Med update...

1. Finish C25k Week 1 and continue with week 2. 6am tomorrow.  Bring it!

2. Drink a minimum of 100oz of water a day. 160 oz at work.  GLUG GLUG GLUG

3. Try another new fruit or vegetable. Soon!

4.  Set aside some time to do something "nice" for myself this week.  A pedicure, a hair cut, a manicure SOMETHING to pamper myself. Thinking about getting a trim and my eyebrows done after work on Friday.

5. Spend at least 10 minutes each day on new choreography.  More work on Ojitos Chiquitos by Don Omar!

It's been 4 days on the phentermine and I am feeling good.  I am glad I'm focusing on water intake as I think I would be feeling bad.  My appetite is DEAD and I am having to force down my three meals a day.  Tonight after an hour of Zumba I felt a little weak so I slurped down a smoothie from the gym to ensure that I didn't crash.  I am exicted to see where I am when I weigh in on Sunday.  The difference between Friday and today (according to the scales at my respective doctors offices?) 7 pounds.  I know part of it is change in water weight but WOAH.

Weekly goals and a new long term goal!

1. Finish C25k Week 1 and continue with week 2.  Running "dates" set with Matt for Wednesday, Friday and Sunday mornings.

2. Drink a minimum of 100oz of water a day. 152oz of water today... give or take! I was FLOATIN!

3. Try another new fruit or vegetable. Soon!

4.  Set aside some time to do something "nice" for myself this week.  A pedicure, a hair cut, a manicure SOMETHING to pamper myself.

5. Spend at least 10 minutes each day on new choreography.  Worked on a belly dance routine to Ojitos Chiquitos by Don Omar! Very excited.  It's a slower, core intensive routine.  Love the choreo I found but am going to tweak it a bit more before I start teaching.  Hoping to try it out Thursday, maybe.

I have also targeted a new, long-term, goal. 

Matt ran the Cary Road Race 10k in 2010 and I thought I would never EVER be able to do it.  BUT I truly believe that I have it in me.  So much so that I am planning on running it in May of 2013.  That's 9 months.  I can do the C25k program one time through and most of the extended C2 10k plan a few times before then.  Plenty of time to train and push my boundaries.

The final date for the race isn't set yet but as soon as it's up I'm signing up.  I will do this! I'm going to work on getting my 5k time down and then get my endurance up to conquer the 10k. 

I think... I think I might have the running bug.

Goals 7/16-7/22

1. Finish C25k Week 1 and continue with week 2.  - 2 days of W1 left to do this week.  I'd like to get in 3 runs which would have me ending this week on W2D1.

2. Drink a minimum of 100oz of water a day.

3. Try another new fruit or vegetable.

4.  Set aside some time to do something "nice" for myself this week.  A pedicure, a hair cut, a manicure SOMETHING to pamper myself.

5. Spend at least 10 minutes each day on new choreography.  My playlist needs a super overhaul!

Fear Conquered and Goals Update

Yesterday was an AMAZING day.  Matt and I took a day trip to continue our tour of aquariums and general site seeing. 

We went to the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher and it was really cool.  Not as interactive as some of the other aquariums we've hit but we had a blast being silly. 

After the aquarium we went to Kure Beach and I faced a big old fear of mine... walking in the sand in bare feet.  When I was a kid I got an infection in the bottom of my foot from a crab pinch on the bottom of my foot and I haven't walked barefoot in sand since.  Well, yesterday I did...

The view....

My feet in the sand!

It felt amazing and freeing to finally have faced that stupid fear.  A few years back I went to Miami and walked in the sand in shoes and socks... I felt like a moron. 

The phentermine and I are still being friends.  I actually am enjoying not feeling hungry.  It's weird to say but it's nice to not be thinking about food all the time!

Anyway, outside of that I finally crossed the try the new fruit or vegetable off my list.  When Matt and I went out to dinner the Irish pub had an option of root mash which includes parsnips, carrots, and rutabaga.  It was AMAZING and I plan on trying to make some here at home soon.  I love it as an alternative to mashed potatoes. 

As for the rest of my goals

1. Only drink one carbonated beverage a day.
One with lunch and one with dinner.

2. Try one new fruit or vegetable. CHECK!

3. Re-start Couch to 5K and do all of my week 1 runs.
Failed on this.  Starting it again today with Matt as my running buddy.  I will do this next week. 

4. Pack my lunch every day.
Check! I successfully did this all work week! Woohoo! 

5. Drink my shake every morning.
Check!

6. Alternate doing push ups and crunches every night. I'm trying to work up to 10 full on the ground push ups and 100 crunches at a go.
Check!! Crunches were done last night!

I am pondering goals for next week and will update later today!

Goals and end of week update

1. Only drink one carbonated beverage a day.
CHECK! Getting easier every day. 

2. Try one new fruit or vegetable. Tomorrow! This will happen!

3. Re-start Couch to 5K and do all of my week 1 runs.
I do not know why it was so hard to get runs in this week.  I only got in half a one during the work week.  Tomorrow is out for running because of a planned trip to the aquarium.  I'll get in lots of steps though... just not the endurance training I need. 

4. Pack my lunch every day.
Check! I successfully did this all work week! Woohoo! 

5. Drink my shake every morning.
Check! I need to get back to being creative with my shakes.  I drank simple chocolate most of the week.  I need to get back to adding coffee, and fruit and random additives again!

6. Alternate doing push ups and crunches every night. I'm trying to work up to 10 full on the ground push ups and 100 crunches at a go.
Check!! Push ups... I will own you!!

My week was absolutely crazy in work, out of work, Zumba related.  Everything was insane.  My credit card number was stolen.  My feet tried to revolt at the end of Zumba Thursday night.  We're running ragged trying to get National Dance Day and Zumbathon plans ironed out for the next two weekends. 

It's totally wild and crazy and awesome and terrible.

I also had a doctor appointment that was .... interesting.  Firstly - most of the nurses at the doctors office know me as the Zumba instructor.  I didn't realize how many of them take my classes or know me by reputation. 

I got venting my annoyance with the slowness of my recent weight loss with one of the nurses.  She mentioned it to the doc and we got talking.  I wound up on a prescription appetite suppressant. 

I'm not sure how I feel about this as I'm not a big fan of pills in weight loss but he and I discussed it and my concerns about the volume of food I've been eating (even if within reason calorically) had me concerned.  He thinks a short term course of this med may help me readjust my eating schedule and find something that works for me.

We'll see if I stay on it.  Today was day 1 and I was SUPER PRODUCTIVE because it made me focused and jittery and I'm way low on my calories for the day.  I feel good and we'll see if this continues.  I see the doc again in a month to see how my weight and measurements have changed with the meds help.

Goals Update 7/11

1. Only drink one carbonated beverage a day.
CHECK! And this was REALLY hard after the crappy day that I had.  I wanted all the candy and all of the carbonation.

2. Try one new fruit or vegetable.
This will have to happen this weekend when I have a chance to go shopping.

3. Re-start Couch to 5K and do all of my week 1 runs.
Half of my W1D1 run done.  Creepy guy at the track... I was the only other person out there.  Followed my gut instinct and went home.

4. Pack my lunch every day.
Check - turkey and cheddar with lettuce and tomato,

5. Drink my shake every morning.
Check! And I made it with cows milk for the first time in a long time.  Out of almond milk... I miss my almond milk.

6. Alternate doing push ups and crunches every night. I'm trying to work up to 10 full on the ground push ups and 100 crunches at a go.
Check 60 crunches before my abs said NO MORE!

I will write a more substantial update this weekend about all the crap that has gone down this week and another goal update tonight. 

This is really helping me be more conscious of what I'm doing. I like this!

Goals Update - 7/10

1. Only drink one carbonated beverage a day.
1 Diet Wild Cherry Pepsi with dinner.  Go me!

2. Try one new fruit or vegetable.
Pondering Bok Choy... maybe kumquat. - need to go shopping.  Maybe tomorrow. 

3. Re-start Couch to 5K and do all of my week 1 runs.
This so didn't work out this morning.  My back and chest were so sore I couldn't have done this if I wanted to.  Trying again tomorrow.  *fingers crossed*

4. Pack my lunch every day.
Lunch today was a FlatOut wrap with lite veggie cream cheese and turkey with baked cheetos and a fruit cup.

5. Drink my shake every morning.
Missed my shake today due to my blender not being clean and not having the time.  Boo!

6. Alternate doing push ups and crunches every night. I'm trying to work up to 10 full on the ground push ups and 100 crunches at a go.
25 - 45 degree push ups. Ouchie!

Burned almost 1700 calories in 2 hours of Zumba tonight.  A killer day! Tomorrow I have Toning and then a regular Zumba class. 

OH and I drank 96 oz of water at work today.  I am loving my new Brita filter!

Goals update - 7/9

1. Only drink one carbonated beverage a day.
Almost did this... I didn't have a soda until dinner and then I had two.  Whoops. I'm pretty damn well proud that I made it to dinner without anything. 

2. Try one new fruit or vegetable.
Pondering Bok Choy... maybe kumquat.

3. Re-start Couch to 5K and do all of my week 1 runs.
Hitting the track tomorrow morning at 6:15AM.  Ready to rock and roll... as long as I get up on time.  I hate the mornings.

4. Pack my lunch every day.
Lunch today was a FlatOut wrap with lite veggie cream cheese and turkey with baked cheetos and carrots. 

5. Drink my shake every morning.
My shake this morning was AMAZING.  Caramel Almond milk = love.

6. Alternate doing push ups and crunches every night. I'm trying to work up to 10 full on the ground push ups and 100 crunches at a go.
I did 50 crunches, 50 bicep curls, 20 upright rows and 30 shoulder presses tonight after Zumba.

Tomorrow is going to be a long day with a 30 minute jogging session and 2 Zumba classes at night so I KNOW I have to eat well tomorrow to survive it.  Ready for the challenge!

Goodbye 11. Hello 12. Hello Love.

So maybe I'm a year early for this reference.  Deal with it!

2011 year in review and 2012 wishes:

Really got in to the groove with my new job.  I started full time in July of 2010 but in 2011 I got to do some major projects, work with groups all across the bank and started to feel secure in my job.  I got to travel! I got to do major presentations! I had some major successes and only a few pitfalls.  When 2011 started I couldn't have dreamed I'd be where I am now.  I can only imagine what cool, new, exciting and scary things I'll get to do professionally in 2012!

Zumba! Wow... I got in to Zumba in the second half of 2010 and became a total addict in 2011.  I got licensed to teach Zumba in June and Zumba Toning in October.  I went from a student to an instructor.  I now teach in 3 locations.  There are people who not only like me but who actually go out of their way to come to my classes.  People look up to me, support me and look to me for support.  I can't say loudly enough how honored I am to be part of the Zumba family in Wilson.  I've gained friends in my fellow instructors and in many of my students. In 2012 I'm looking forward to expanding my classes, incorporating more Toning, and getting my Basic 2 and Zumbatomic licenses. I'm also hoping to bring the Wilson instructors together and make us a tighter knit community and working towards some more common goals. 

Everything Chalene Johnson -  Oh man.  Oh man.  I took Chalene's 30 Day Challenge to help me get organized and feel more in control.  It worked!  I also got certified to teach Hip Hop Hustle and fell in love with TurboKick and Turbo Jam.  Starting on January 2 I'm doing a 30 Day Beach Body challenge with some ladies from the Y and I'm looking forward to rocking out to Turbo Jam daily! I'm also ready to get Hip Hop Hustle on the schedule at the YMCA and the studio and to try my hand at PiYo.  I don't think I'll be ready to teach either TK or PiYo in 2012 but I'm looking towards that in 2013... maybe.

Health in general.  If it isn't obvious 2011 is the year I became a total fitness junkie. I mean, really, my birthday present to myself was a weekend of Zumba Toning and Hip Hop Hustle trainings.  I've worked hard with my doctors to get some of my underlying health issues resolved so I can get my weight in check.  2011 wasn't as successful in that realm as I wanted it to be.  I'm smaller and more compact but I didn't see the scales fall in line with that the way it should have.  I can, however, say that I feel better from head to toe.  I have more energy, I feel more balanced and I can do normal people things now without feeling like a fish out of water.  2011 is the year that I stopped relying on my anxiety medications and started really feel in control of my anxieties and fears.  I still get every cold possible and my allergies are totally out of control but I have energy and I feel stronger and more in control of my health every day. I still have some pretty serious hangups I need to address in the coming year but I'm going to do it with the love and support of those that matter most. 

Family.  2011 was not a great year for family and that's something I really want to work on in 2012.  Physically there's distance between me and my closest relatives but, more than that, there's a lot of emotional distance as well.  It's been a rough couple of years for us and, over time, we just fell apart.  I want to be more involved in my niece and nephews lives.  I want to feel involved with my sister and brothers lives.  I don't want to hear everything second hand from my mother.  I've always felt a little out of place in my family.  I'm very different from them in so many ways but they're my blood.  I want to keep them as close as possible.

Money.  Well my first full year in a real job certainly helped my financial situation but it's still been a rough road.  I've been working on budgeting and controlling my spending for the last few months and I'm finally starting to see some growth in my savings account and some progress towards paying off my student loans.  I hope to keep going in that direction.

My big goals for 2012 are as follows:

1. Lose 20% of my current body weight.  That would be about 60 pounds.  
2. Get off of at least some of my medications and supplements.
3. Get my Basic 2 and Zumbatomic licenses.
4. Get me GroupEx certification at the fall Apex event.
5. Reach my savings goals. 

I'm ready for a new year and that metaphoric blank slate. The promise of a new year just opens up so many doors.  It's just another day but it really does feel like stepping in to the future.  All the bad things that happened in 2011 still happened but, as of tomorrow, I can start putting distance between myself and them.  I can say "Oh that?  That's so 2011!"

I mean, I won't... not ever again.

Goobye 11.  Hello 12.  Hello life.

Christmas week crazies. Bodybugg! and January 2012 goals.

Work was totally and utterly insane this week.  Year end stuff is just wild.  I got a ton accomplished and I feel good about where we are going in to 2012.

There was a bit of work related drama this week that put me in a bit of a foul mood.  I'm ready for the new year and the permanent team and standardization. 

Wednesday night after work I hit up two classes at the Y. First TurboKick! It was with a different instructor and Daphne is just awesome.  Different vibe to the class but I loved it and my body is STILL hurting!

Well, partly because of that and partly because of taking Zumba with Mrs. Fatass herself right afterwards! It was AMAZING! So very much fun!

Two fantastic hours of cardio with two amazing ladies!

Thursday was The Nutcracker and it was fantastic! I felt like a kid watching it.  The dancing was amazing, the costumes unbelievable and the magic stuff they added was just cool.

Tonight I had a kick ass Zumba class.  11 people, which is HUGE for a Friday night, and everyone left with a big ol' smile on their faces.

Food wise I've been doing okay the last few days.  Yesterday dinner was a bit weird as we had a weird schedule because of the ballet but all in all a good few days.

The most exciting thing?  Today I got my Bodybugg! EEEEE! I'm still getting used to it and I messed up logging my first workout using their workout tracker but I got the calorie count which is what mattered.  It's a nifty tool and it makes for a fitness video game feel.  I want to burn the most and eat the best and walk the most steps! It'll be interesting to see how I get to incorporate it over the next few weeks.

I also met with my new beachbody team members yesterday.  We took our before pictures and discussed goals and plans.  I remembered I took some pictures last December and I compared them. Maybe I'll get brave and post them.  Maybe at the end of the 30 day challenge.

Goals for January?  Lose 15-17 pounds.  Work out mornings with Turbo Jam and my normal Zumba schedule in the evenings.  I am also going to be doing Shakeology shakes.  Add in the BodyBugg and Weight Watchers and I think I have all the tools needed to reach my goals! It's going to be a wild month and I'm ready to everything! Right tools, right support, right time!