Finally getting back into shape...

With the ticker on my sidebar counting away the training days left until the Chicago Marathon, my fear and panic was beginning to rise.  I'm still not in training shape and I was having a hard time even getting motivated to get into the shape I need to be in to train.

But I finally kicked myself in the butt and started the P90X workouts and the strict diet that goes along with it.  And let me tell you, it is kicking my butt!  And to top it off, I am trying to keep up a running schedule to go along with it.  Not much, just trying to keep on top of 10-15 miles a week, so I'll be ready to start some serious training after my 90 days of P90X. 

After a week of these workouts, I have only dropped about 3 pounds, but I have lost about 2 inches off my waist and hips and things are definately cinching up!  I can literally feel myself getting stronger.  Granted, I have days when getting out of bed is a monumental task after a tough work (like plyos) but I'm getting there. 

The diet is pretty strict, but it's working and I don't feel the need to go off of it, so that is a bonus!  So far so good, and I am beginning to think that I might make it through the 26.2 in Chicago after all.  Some days, I am still doubting if I have what it takes...but I'm getting stronger and each day I'm getting a little more confident about it! : )

Happy Running All!

Wednesday Motivation:

"You earn your body...good or bad.

Which is it going to be?"

Time for some changes

Never before have I had such a hard time eating right and staying fit.  I'm heavier now than I have ever been before (other than after I had my boys).  I am addicted to crap food and cannot find much time to exercise, and I cannot seem to break these habits.  I've been trying to making small changes at a time, but it just doens't seem to be going the way I had hoped.  I was hoping that having the Chicago Marathon entry looming over my head would be enough to boost me into action, as it has worked before.  But this time I was wrong, the entry alone is not working!

So, it is time for some BIG changes.  After coming very highly recommended from some trusted friends, I decided to take the plunge and order P90X.  The only time I have to work out is 4am...and unfortunately, my gym doesn't open until 5am!  So I am hoping that I will be able to do P90X at home 6 days a week, and still keep to my running schedule (which I have been horrible about posting on dailymile...but I have been running and I promise I'll get better at recording my runs). 

The advice that I was given was stick to the workouts 5-6 days a week and you absolutely have to stick to the eating plan.  I'm actually kind of excited about the nutrition plan that goes along with the workouts.  90 days of not having to plan meals.  All I have to do is shop and cook (most of which will be done on Sundays, so all the food is ready for the week).  The hubster has agreed to follow the eating plan, although he won't be doing the actual program, because he is already working out 6 days a week at the gym with a group of guys.  So that just leaves feeding the boys...the monsters that are hungry from son up to son down (HA...pun intended, you've seen the unhilarious coffee mugs for mom's of boys, haven't you?)  I will be doing my best to gear them towards healthier foods, mainly so we don't have alot of temptation in the house for me.  (Boys: "Mom, who ate the last pop tart?"  Me (screaming and pulling my hair out):  "I did.  And I don't even like pop tarts!").  I have to get the sugary crapola out of the house...at least for a while until I break this horrible, horrible addiction!

So, it is time for some big changes in the Run One More Household...

And that is it...we can do it.

Wednesday's Motivation:

"What would you do if you knew

you couldn't fail?"

Sending out love...

To all the runners out there!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope everyone takes a moment this Valentine's Day to go for a run,

then eat some goodies!

Tuesday's Motivation:

"Talk is just talk,

put your money where your mouth is!"

Plugged-in or Unplugged - Music vs. Quiet Reflection on Runs

I am definately a plugged-in runner.  I run with headphones 99% of the time.  For me, that is part of the joy of running.  As a mom, the kids are forever taking over the radio at home and even in the car.  So when I run, it's just me and my music.  It is one hour where I can control what music makes the playlist and what doesn't. (Which means I don't have to endure another endless go round with Eye of the Tiger).
I also think that good music (and by good music, I mean whatever motivates you) can help you through those long runs.  Running is 90% mental.  When your body gets tired, it is your brain that gets you through those last  few miles and I think the right music can really help get you through! 

Personally, I like pop music with a good beat.  Funny, because the music on my playlist is music that I wouldn't listen to outside of the gym.  I'm not a fan of pop...but when I'm running, it does amazing things for my energy levels!  But it isn't just the beat, sometimes it can be the lyrics too.  Some of my favorite running songs talk about...what else?  RUNNING! While I always have a pretty current version of my running playlist on the left side of this page, I thought I would share some of my favorites today and why I love them so much!

Send Me on My Way, Rusted Root

There is just something about this song.  It can pop up on my playlist at the end of a long run, and I still feel like skipping along when I hear it.  It instantly puts a smile on my face...and it doesn't hurt that within the lyrics, he is reminding me to run!

The Dog Days are Over, Florence & The Machine

Again, this is one that I just can't help to rock out to when I'm running.  It is a little slow at parts, so I do tend to slow down when this song is on...but that isn't a bad thing!  And, there is something about hearing the words run in the lyrics...it just reminds you to keep going!

And my newest favorite:

Stonger, Kelly Clarkson

Holy Cow, do I love this song!  I am not a huge Kelly Clarkson fan, but this is the best running song I've come across in a long time.  Again, I know running music is subjective...but for me, this song has everything.  It has a fantastic beat, and the lyrics are pretty uplifting when you are sweating so much you think you may drown!  My only problem is that I am afraid I'm going to belt out in song on the treadmill when the chorus comes along or break into a dance (anyone seen the car commerical where she is dancing in the front seat...yeah, imagine that but on a treadmill...that is what I'm doing in my head when I hear it) I love the chorus "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stand a little taller, it doesn't mean I'm lonely, when I'm alone."  I realize that she is asserting her independence, but for me, it translates a bit differently.  It's a reminder that the getting through the long run won't kill me...it will make me stronger...stand a little taller reminds me to keep my good running form...and I LOVE running alone, I don't see it as lonely, it's my time to reflect and be with myself!

So, there are a few of my favorite running songs!  I'd love to hear yours in the comments below!

***Edited***  So I realized that I forgot to mention the sometimes importance of running unplugged.  Sometimes, I find that a run is more enjoyable without music (although, for me that is rare).  And I do have to mention, that last year at a 5K in which I PR'd, I left my garmin at home and had a battery snaffu with my headphones.  So I ran completely unplugged and since the majority of the 5K ran the length of a local nature trail, it was a really great experience.  I was able to concentrate on what my body was telling me rather than just running to the beat of the music, and just really enjoy the nature (although...with all the people, there was no wildlife scampering about, other than those in sweaty tank tops and running shoes).  So I think that sometimes, music can really help you pound out those miles while other times it can be a distraction and we just need to make the decision for ourselves before our run.  Plug in or unplug...everyday it's different!

Monday Motivation:

"Make it to the finish line. You can do this!"

A little reminder before Valentine's day to always run with your heart!



Foodie Friday (or maybe Savory Saturday)

Alright, I know it.  I'm a day late and a dollar short.  So, Foodie Friday is actually a Saturday this week...so let's call it Savory Saturday!

Tried out a new recipe this week and I have a few in the works for next week too!  For a long time I have been on the lookout for a really good granola bar recipe, that was easy with minimal ingredients.  I have finally found a pretty good one and it is pretty basic.

HomeMade Runner's Granola Bars
Basic Bar Recipe (it's only 3 ingredients!):
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
4 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup honey or brown rice syrup
3/4 cup peanut butter

To this you can add any combination of goodies that you like!  For my version, I wanted high protein and some carbs for pre-run energy.  So I added in 1/2 cups unsalted peanuts for protein, 1/2 cup chocolate chips for carbs (and well, because they're yummy) and 4 Tablespoons of Chia seeds for some Omega 3's...as mid-westerners with diets extremely high in Omega-6 fatty acids, we can never have enough Omega-3's to help keep the 3-6 balance aligned!
If you are unfamiliar with the importance of balancing Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, click here for some great info! 
Grease a 9" x 13" pan and press granola batter into the pan.  Use the back of a spatula to press down the batter very well.  The tighter it is packed, the less crumbly your granola bars will be.  And trust me, you do not want these crumbling apart before they get to your mouth...you will want to eat every bite!  Bake for 25 minutes.  I cut them while they are warm, then let them cool in the pan, before removing them!  Then enjoy.

Some other great add-ins:Raisins
Flaxseed or meal (I would have added this too, but I didn't realize I was out!)
Other nuts (almonds would be delish)
Other dried fruits (I'm thinking cranberries or dried cherries)
M&M's (these would have made great v-day treats with red M&Ms)
Rocky Road (chocolate chips and mini marshmallows...ok, so now we are talking more dessert than energy bar...but it sounds really good!)

Really, pretty much anything you can think of!  Just keep your add-ins under 1 cup total, or you will have to begin to add more peanut butter or more honey to compensate for the extra dry ingredients!

These are honestly, the best granola bars I have ever had.  Even the hubby fell in love with them.  The flavors unite, but somehow you can taste the peanut butter and honey seperately.  And I highly recommend the chia seeds, they add a "pop" to the texture of the bars that make them so unique and phenomenal!  I hope you all enjoy them as much as we do!  I'm pretty sure I'll be making these often during my marathon training!

Saturday Motivation:

"A mile is a mile,

no matter how fast you run it!"

Finally seeing some progress!

While my weight hasn't dropped much in the past few months, I am finally seeing some progress with my runs.  I am getting faster.  9:30 - 10:00 minute miles have always been pretty standard for me when running 3-6 miles, but I am finally starting to see some improvements.

I'm not currently following a plan, because it always seems that when I do, I get stuck in a rut and I might add mileage, but I don't ever get any faster because I am so concentrated on distance.  So this winter, I decided to run fewer miles but work on the quality of them and that is what I have been doing.  Some days I only run a mile, some days I run 3 miles...but the point is to push my speed more than I am used to.  I've been trying to get my single miles as close to 8:00 minutes/mile as I can and I am working to get my 3 mile runs as close to 9:00 minutes/mile as a I can and it is working.

This morning I ran 3 miles and averaged around 9:10 per mile for a total of 27:30.  I am pretty sure that this is my fastest 3 miles yet!  I am looking forward to some spring 5K's to see if my hard work will pay off or not.  I planning on running the Neighbor's House 5K in April, and this is where I PR'd last year with 28:35...so I definately think I am on the right track to blow that PR out of the water!  This 5K will also set my training times for my marathon training. 

I think I have decided on the Furman method for my marathon training.  It is what I used when I trained for my half marathon last year and it worked pretty well.  Only 3 runs per week, 2 short speed runs and 1 long run.  I am pretty sure I can fit that into my schedule without any problems.  I am going to do my best to get the cross training in, but we shall see!

Wednesday's Motiation:

"Find Motivation in Every Mile!"

Monday Motivation!

So I am finding it is too hard to keep all my motivations through out the week and post them all.  I wish I could find a way to do it, but it's just too tough!

So I think I will simply randomly post my motivations a few times a week and try to get them all in there.  But I will definately post on days when I pull motivations that I think are important!

We've been doing the motivations a bit differently in the last few weeks.  Originally, I had made the motivation jar for myself...but as all the other mom's out there know, nothing is sacred when you are a mom.  Over the few weeks I've been doing the jar, I noticed that my kids (and even my hubby) began to look forward to hearing the motivations and the kids looked forward to picking them out of the jar.  So it has become a family motivation jar.  Now, the kids and I try to pull a motivation every morning and we have a white board that sits next to the jar.  We write the "motivation of the day" on the board for all to see and enjoy.

This was last week's motivation!

Monday Motivation:

"Do it for YOURSELF!"

Foodie Friday 2/2/12

Lately, it's been grab and go in our house at meal time.  I've been doing my best to try out one new healthy meal each week, but it's been tough!

The hubby has decided to really "buckle" down and get fit again.  And I need to lose a few lbs before I begin my official marathon training in May/June, mainly to save myself from injury.  So we are trying our best to get back to a "whole foods-paleo" type diet.  Although, I'm trying to move us over gradually, so we don't miss some of our favorite junk foods!  Can't go off junk food (think pizza, pasta, all the good stuff) cold turkey...but we'll get there!

So, I had planned on Sunday being a "freebie day" in which we would eat some junk and enjoy ourselves during the Superbowl.  But I was told in no uncertain terms, that the hubby would NOT be eating any crap and he needed some healthy options!

Which is leading me to try something new.  While I was working my clinical shift at the hospital yesterday, I was chatting with some of the x-ray techs who have or are doing Weight Watchers.  They were telling me about how they combine greek yogurt with dry ranch dip mix and snack on it with veggies!  I thought "HOW PERFECT!"  Ranch with a little extra boost of protein!

So that is what we will be trying out in the next week!  Once I actually get it mixed, and figure out ratio of yogurt to dressing mix, I'll post an actual "recipe" and a review and let everyone know how it was!

I hope everyone has a great Superbowl weekend!  I am heading out for a run!

Officially registered...

Eeeeeek!  I realize it has been almost a month since I last posted, but since school started back up, finding time to post has been tough!  I will promise to try to get better!

Registration officially opened for the 2012 Chicago Marathon today and I got my registration in!  Now, I need to buckle down and get my training plan chosen and sorted out and get ready to do some serious running over the next few months!

I promise to try to get better about blogging the experience as I go!

Foodie Friday ~ 1/13/12

Ahhhhh, Happy Friday the 13th! 

I haven't tried anything too creative this week.  I spent the week working on coming up with creative "make ahead" healthy meal solutions.  Since my semester break is winding down, next week I'll be back to being busy and studying non-stop, while still trying to get my runs and workouts in and try to keep healthy meals on hand.  Here are a few of the make ahead things I came up with:

Breakfasts:
Baked egg cups ~  18 pack of eggs, 2 cups of shredded cheese, and canadian bacon.  Scramble eggs and pour into greased muffin tins (I stress the greasing.  I forgot to grease 1 muffin cup and I still can't get all the egg out!)  Push a piece of canadian bacon into each cup, then top with a small sprinkle of cheese, add a small amount of pepper if you wish.  Bake at 350 until the eggs are firm.
Why I love this:  I don't eat a lot of eggs, but my husband LOVES this in the mornings.  He doesn't have a lot of time, so having them pre-made is fantastic.  He just pops them into the microwave and they re-heat really well.  This week, I'll be taking some of the egg yolk out and doing more egg whites to make it a bit healthier for him and maybe adding some veggies!

Lunches:
I'm still stumped on lunches.  I will probably make sure that I pre-cook chicken breast for salads and have tuna at the ready for flat bread sandwiches.  If I come up with anything super great, easy and healthy...I'll be sure to post it!

Dinners:
Spinach stuffed chicken ~  this was good, I pounded out chicken breast and added some shredded cheese and spinach (along with a bit of seasoning)  into the middle of the chicken and rolled it up.  Baked it at 375 until chicken was no longer pink.  It was good!

Snacks:
Snacks are where I have been having trouble.  I need to come up with some better snack options.  I need some easy take along ideas, that I can stick into my bag and keep there!  My go to snack has been apples and peanut butter...but honestly, I've been over-doing the peanut butter and I know it.  Really not that healthy of an option when you eat a million tablespoons at one sitting!
But I love sweet snacks, so I am looking for something that will give me a bit of sweet, without over doing it!  So here is what I have come up with:
Fruit (plain, no PB :( )
Mixed nuts with a small ration of M&Ms
Homemade granola with raisins (1/3 cup PB, 1/3 cup honey, 3 cups oats - melt PB and honey together, add oats, bake at 350 for 10 minutes)

I will be adding to this list as time goes by...I need to come up with a great snack list, so I don't stray and go to the "bad" options!

I hope everyone has a great Friday the 13th!

Motivational Monday 1/9/12

I did some heavy lifting at the gym with "the big boys" (ie. my hubby and his workout pals) yesterday, so needless to say, just lifting my arms to type this post is a bit, well...difficult.   I have been so busy trying to find my own motivation just to get housework and general daily tasks done today, that I almost forgot the Motivational Monday post!  But I remembered in the knick of time, so here are all my motivations from the previous week!

Tuesday 1/3/2012

So of course, I had to grab this one on a day that started out at a balmy 13 degrees!  At least there is no snow yet.  But I think I'll do my running at the gym today!

1 mile warm up run (8:58)

30 minutes stationary bike

60 minutes weight training

Wednesday 1/4/2012

While the optimist in me thinks that I can do anything...there is always that nagging voice inside me that says "what if you can't?"  So this is a very good reminder of how it will feel when I cross that finish line in October.  Everyone has naysayers...fortunately for me, I am surrounding by people who are incredibly supportive of my crazy endeavors, so my only naysayer is usually myself.  So I just have to remember to stomp that voice down and go out and do it!

 Beautiful 5 mile run outdoors!

Thursday 1/5/12

Definately true of all of us.  We all have something amazing in us...others can see it.  But sometimes we have to look really hard to see in ourselves what everyone else so easily sees!

Took the day off!

Friday 1/6/12

Part of the reason I love running is because it is just me against myself.  There is no competition, it is just me out there seeing if I can accomplish what I think I can.  These are words that always come to me at the end of a tough run.  If I don't do it for myself, it won't get done.  Sometimes these words or variations of them are what get me out the door in the first place!

Another beautiful 5 mile run outside today!

Had a busy weekend, so I kinda forgot to pull motivations for the weekend....
but I did get some great workouts in!  Weights and biking over the weekend.

And the Motivational Monday quote is:

Another great reminder that even though sometimes it doesn't feel like I am making progress, I actually am.  Even if it isn't yesterday vs. today, week to week and month to month I am getting stronger and faster!
3 mile run today, and I swear all 3 miles were against the wind!

Hope everyone has a wonderful week and stay motivated!

Foodie Friday

So this week has been a crazy one for us.  The kids and the hubby are back to school and work, respectively.  And my semester break is winding down, so I am trying to get a bunch of projects done before I go back to school.  So, food has been kinda grab and go this week.  I have a handful of great recipes to try and unfortunately, the ingredients are still in the fridge!  But I did come across 2 new recipes that I absolutely had to share.  One because it was sooooooo easy and the other because of it's healthful deliciousness!
Breakfast:
Green Smoothie
You can find the recipe here!
Why I love this: I am sticking with green smoothies for breakfast simply because they are so easy in the mornings, when I am trying to get the kids out the door, and they are great for fueling morning runs!

Lunch:
Flat bread sandwiches made with Flatout Foldit 5 grain flax flat breads.  I've been filling it with turkey or tuna and lots of veggies.
Why I love this: I love these Foldit's breads because they are only 90 calories, have tons of fiber  and are very filling!  And honestly, when I can't have bread, I miss it terribly.  So this is a good solution.  They would also be great for mini pizzas!

Dinner:
Ham Sliders
1 package of Hawaiin rolls (sweet or non, your choice)
Deli ham
Provolone cheese
1 onion, chopped
mustard

Cook onion, until soft.  Then add mustard.  Cut rolls into sandwich form, then place ham and cheese on rolls.  Add onion & mustard mixture.  Wrap in foil and back for 10 minutes at 375.
Why I love these:   Ok, these are not great for you... but they are so easy and everyone loved them.  Plus, you can make these ahead of time and pop them into the freezer.  Take them out of the freezer and just increase cooking time to around 20-30 minutes or until they are heated through!  These were a huge hit, and I think I'll keep these in the freezer at ALL TIMES!  I paired them with some quick brocolli and cheese and we had a great, complete meal!

Snack:
Banana Bites:
4 bananas
1 package of sugar free pudding (chocolate is best)
2 cups of milk
Make pudding and let it soft set.  Cut bananas into bite size pieces, then dip them into the soft set pudding and place on a cookie sheet on wax paper.  Pop into the freeze and freeze.  Pull of wax paper and put into a gallon size freezer bag and keep in the freezer.
Why I love these:  I have a crazy sweet tooth and these seem to do the trick.  Yes, the pudding still isn't the best for me, but it is far better than sitting down and eating a box of oreos!  And the beauty of them, they are so cold, you can only eat one or two at a time.  So, it is almost impossible to over do it!  And the kids LOVED them!  I will be making these often too!  They do taste like chocolate and banana....so if you don't love banana, you won't enjoy these!  But I suggest trying them, they are fantastic!

I have a ton of new recipes to try for next week, so hopefully I will have a few new recipes for next week!

Have a great weekend everyone!

The camaraderie of runners

(And yes...camaraderie is spelled right...I had to look it up)

January in Illinois is normally not a runner's dream.  By this time of year, we usually have at least 6 inches of snow on the ground and freezing cold temps that will make a runner's snot freeze in the first quarter mile.  When those days hit, I hit the treadmill.  But this year has been different.  We have had incredibly mild temperatures, with only a few weeks of really cold days.  The last week or so, we've seen the mercury dip into the teens and twenties.  But then we turn around today and the thermometer is dangerously close to forty!

My steadfast rule is that when the temperature dips below forty, I run inside.  I just don't enjoy running in the cold.  But today, I stepped out to run some errands and realized what a gorgeous day it was.  The thermometer in my car said 38 degrees, which by my book is too cold to run outside.  But the sun was shining so brightly, it was beckoning me to come out and play in it.  So on what is supposed to be a winter day, I put on my running tights, laced up my Saucony's, pulled my Bondiband over my ears, strapped on my Garmin and out the door I went.  I broke my cardinal rule of cold weather running, which is...don't do it.

But I am so glad I did.  Even a few days of cold weather that set in over the last week had started to bring in the inclination of cabin fever.  While it wasn't full blown, like it normally is by the beginning of January, it was starting to creep in.  One five mile run in the sunshine was all it took to sweep it away.

And  I wasn't the only one.  I probably came across a dozen other runners hitting the pavement today.  And I could see the look of contentment in each and every one of their eyes as we passed.  They looked as happy as I did, getting out to run in the middle of winter without having to wear a hundred layers and a snowsuit on top of it.  Not only that, but there is a camaraderie among runners that you don't get from other places.  When you pass another sweaty, redfaced runner on the street you exchange glances, as much of a smile as you can muster and almost always give and receive some sort of acknowledgement.  Every runner knows that the smallest bit of encouragement can go along way when you are ready to give up.  So I love it when I pass a runner and get a thumbs up, an a-ok sign or even just a small wave.  It makes me feel like a real runner.  It makes me feel accepted into a secret society of fit people.  And above all else, it give me some sort of super power to will my legs to keep going after one too many miles.  So I always try to extend the courtesy to other runners, my weapon of choice is the thumbs up.  It doesn't take too much energy and it always gets a smile and a nod.  Sometimes you can even see them hold their head up a little higher, which makes me smile too.  For on days like today, when I can get out and run amongst my peers, I am a runner, plain and simple.

Motivational Monday - 1/2



Front of my decopage motivation jar!



I spent some time with my motivation jar this week and it seems to actually work!  When I really don't feel like getting up and out the door to the gym, I grab a motivation and it's a kick in the butt.  They're simple sayings, just reminders of all I want to achieve this year. 

It's like having a little fortune cookie every day, without having to eat the cookie!  Some are very serious and some are hilarious.  Some are my own thoughts and others are borrowed with credit given to the original author and some are stolen since the original author was unknown. 

 I have a feeling I am going to enjoy pulling motivations from my jar for the next almost 300 days as I gear up for the marathon.

I didn't have a full week of motivations this week, since I didn't finish the jar until mid-week.  But here are the ones that I pulled this past week:

• You don't have to eat less, you just have to eat right. 
• The minute you think of giving up, think of the reason you held on so long.
• 3 Steps to getting fit; step 1 - kick ass, step 2 - take names, step 3 - repeat steps 1 & 2.
• It does not matter how slow your progress is, as long as you are moving towards your goal.

And today's motivation is:

• The first step to meeting any goal is deciding you don't want to be where you are now.

When I put that motivation in the jar, it seemed a bit harsh to me.  But the more I thought about it, I realized how true it is.  If you set goals, it means you want more out of life than you have right now.  So you need to make a change, and the first step in that is admitting you want something more. 



Backside of my jar.



So, the plan for Motivational Monday is to get organized for the 2012.  I have been researching some different training programs and am having a hard time narrowing it down.  But I need to get on an actual schedule instead of just running all willy-nilly.  So that is the plan for today, get organized and hit the gym...even though I know the gym will be busy with all the "resolutioners".  But they will only last a few weeks, then the gym will be quiet again!

Have a great day!  I'm off for my first run of 2012!

2012 Goals

Ah, the time is here.  Time for resolutions.  Which I make religiously every year.  And many of them stick.  Usually.  But not always.  Some years are much better than others.

The time for self doubt went out in the trash with the crumpled wrapping paper, torn gift boxes and leftover platters of cookies.  That's right, there were cookies left over this year, they may have been the icky ones that no one liked, but it's still a start.  My motto used to be "leave no cookie left uneaten."  But not anymore!  Anyhoo, back to resolutions.

I am relatively good at resolutions.  Each year I set normal expectations and goals for myself during the year.  I don't come up with wild fantastical dreams that are unachievable.  And not to pat myself on the back, but I am still keeping resolutions from the early 2000's.  Some have been life changing.  The decision to start running was a resolution of 2008, I believe.  Then there was the resolution to not set foot into a Wal-mart store.  That was in 2005, I think.  And I have not been in a Wal-mart since....not once.  So obviously, I can adjust to new resolutions and a new way of thinking, I just have to be committed.  Of course, there have been failed resolutions.  Many years I make insane claims like, I need to give up caffeine or coffee.  Did I seriously believe, for even a second, that I would give up coffee?  I once put on my resolution goal list, that I would cook every meal at home for a whole year.  Seriously?  Who has time for that? 

This year is probably the busiest I have ever been in my life.  Our boys are in grade school and have their own agendas with football, baseball, school and their own lives.  My husband is busy with his own fitness revolution, his work and his band.  Even the dog demands my attention daily.  He will sit and bark in my face until I give him a good head scratch.  And if you have ever had a Mastiff sit and bark in your face (I literally mean in your face, when I sit on the couch and he sits on the floor we are eye to eye)...it's kinda hard to ignore!  Now, add all the Wife and Mom duties on top of being a full time student, and working two clinical days at the hospital each week, this year is gonna be a tough one to add extra stuff into.  But I'm sure I'll be able to handle it (famous last words right there...ear mark 'em for my tombstone later when I've exhausted myself).

I hate to use the term "bucket" list, but that is almost what my resolution lists are turning into.  I realize each year, that I am getting older and that someday I won't have the physical strength or energy to do all these things I want to do.  So I'd better get my fat butt moving and start crossing finish lines and crossing these things off.  There isn't a huge hurry, but I have lots of things I want to do...so I might as well start doing them.  What am I waiting around for?

So here is the OFFICIAL goal list for 2012 in all it's crazy glory!
1.  Run the 2012 Chicago Marathon.  http://www.chicagomarathon.com/cms400min/chicago_marathon/
2.  Take the Chicago Polar Plunge (If I can find a crazy buddy to do it with). http://www.sochicago.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=31&Itemid=25
3.  Do a mud run with my husband - or without him, but I think I have him excited about it.  http://www.downanddirtymudrun.com/
4. To be able to do 25 push ups.
5.  Run 1000 miles in 2012
6.  Do the Color Run in June.  http://thecolorrun.com/
7.  Get down to the my goal weight of 140 pounds (long way to go).
8.  Try at least one new healthy recipe every week.
9.  Find the good in everything.
10. Be optimistic in every situation.

And I think that is it.  Some are very specific and some are pretty general.  The last two are just reminders to myself to be positive and happy.  It's pretty much on my list every year, but it works.  Periodically throughout the year, I will come back to my list and just take a peek at it...so it is nice to have those reminders.

Good luck to all the other resolutioners out there.  I wish you all the best in getting past January with your resolutions!  You can all do it (see, how I'm being optimistic there!).

Happy New Year everyone!