Pondering the New Year

I've been pondering what to blog about as the New Year has come and gone. So many people make resolutions only to find themselves frustrated with the fact that they cannot hold to these commitments. They give up on trying to better themselves and find themselves in a deeper hole than when they started. This year, instead of focusing on resolutions, I would like to focus on what I would like to accomplish in the year 2010.

• I would like to inspire others. I want to commit to the action of inspiring others to make positive changes in their lives. I want to help my friends and loved ones become accountable for their action which is something I would also like to do for myself.
• I want to plant a good size organic fruit and veggie garden to nourish myself and my family. I want my husband and children to do this with me. We can all take part in raising healthy food while reducing our carbon footprint.
• I want to make a large dent in completing my degree. I have already lined up a full schedule of classes and am in the process of making an appointment with my advisor to see where I currently stand.
• I am considering becoming a certified group fitness instructor. I have looked into some workshops and pricing. This may prove to be a difficult task as I am also attending full time classes for my teaching credential. However, this is something that I truly have a passion for and stand alongside my first accomplishment that I would like to carry out.

I have an ongoing commitment to being the best mother and role model to my three daughters and being a loving and faithful wife to my husband. I will always strive to be my best in this area.

Something I have come to realize is that I want to always recognize my self-worth. I want to always realize that I am important. For example, I deserve to put only the best and most nutritious food into my body. My body deserves the best care I can give it through exercise and pampering. I want to learn how to accept gifts, compliments and respect without thinking that I am not worthy.

What would you like to accomplish this year?

"Great things are accomplished by talented people who believe they will accomplish them." Warren G. Bennis

This is Just the Beginning...

I am starting this blog as a source of encouragement for others. I am in the midst of my journey of life and have found that I have the power to accomplish things in my life that once seemed impossible. You too can be powerful and strong...you control the choices you make. YOU have the power to do whatever you want to do. I found the phrase "power to do" in a local community magazine. I had recently lost quite a bit of weight and at that point I realized that I had possessed the power for so long but never released it. I remember sitting there staring at the phrase in print and amazed at the things I had accomplished. The most important aspect of my achievements is that I accomplished them on my own.


My Recent Accomplishments

Weight Loss

I recently lost over 40 pounds. At one point, I felt I was destined to be big forever. I accepted that was who I was meant to be. I accepted the phrase "big boned." I was in denial. I was bitter and I didn't even realize it. I had always been interested in health and fitness and had never quite made the decision to plunge into it head first. It was the beginning of spring 2009 and I had recently started drinking kombucha tea which is pretty pricey at $3.25 a bottle. I had just finished that bottle and was reading the label and all of its benefits. Then it struck me. Why am I drinking this? I weigh 180 pounds (that was my starting weight) and I eat way too much crap. What is the point? I can't just add one little thing to my life and expect it to change me. It was then that I decided that I had to figure this out on my own. I didn't want to join a gym but I did want to be healthier. I had worked out previously, mostly running, but it was never consistent enough to yield results. I had to do this for me and for my family. My teen daughter is a track athlete and I have two small girls that I stay at home with. I had to be healthy for them....I wanted to be a strong and healthy role model for them. My husband has always been into fitness. I knew I had to do this for him too. I had to do it for me. I needed to feel better. I needed more energy.

I discovered the secret. The secret is that there isn't any secret. I knew what to do. There was no pill or magic diet. I had to eat healthy and I had to work out. I had to commit. I did just that. I started shopping at health food stores and farmer's markets. I worked out every single day in my living room when my little ones were napping. I did it. I am now 136 pounds and am smaller than I was in high school. I am not big boned or destined to be large. I am healthy, strong and happy. I found that health extends into all of the other areas of your life.

Community Involvement




I recently was the team captain for Team Sassy. As a team, we raised about $2300 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation and participated in the Race for the Cure. It was a great feeling.




I have also recently become involved in donating food to local food banks.


It's a good feeling to help others and it's a great way to be a role model for your children.

Athletic Accomplishments






I have ran a few 5k's. My average time was 29-30 minutes for a 5k which is 3.1 miles. When I ran the 5k a few weeks ago, I ran the race in 26:10 which is 4 minutes faster than my previous times. I came in 9th out of 27 women in my age group. What a great moment it was when I saw those race results!



Those are my most recent accomplishments. I will have many more to come. I am excited to share this blog with others and even if I inspire just one person to unlock their power within, then it is worth it. Enjoy!