if(2014 > 2013){ happyDance(); }

2013 Fitness Year in Review

Weight on January 1, 2013: 164 lbs.

Weight on January 1, 2014: 157 lbs.

Aerobic activities endeavored throughout the year:

• Leslie Sansone Walk-outs
• ZCUT
• Rockin' Body
• 10 Minute Solutions
• Jessica Smith TV
• Paula Abdul
• Jane Fonda
• Disc golf
• Roller Derby Boot Camp

Ha comenzado el año catorce. Where am I on my fitness journey? I'm starting 2014 with a happy dance because it's looking better than 2013 already.

I lost at least 10 lbs. for the wedding. I gained most of it back with loved ones visiting and the fall/wintry holidays. I lost control on the food adventures and got lazy about maintaining the exercise routine. However, I'm mighty proud that the scale didn't display a glaring 164 at the start of 2014. The libations to ring in the new year probably nudged the 156 from 3 days ago to the eyebrow-raising 159 witnessed in the early morning. The stomach settled and mystically I'm at 157. I'll need to weigh myself at the end of this week to see how much damage the additional new year festivities with family and friends during the rest of the week will bring.

Aerobic Programs

I've dabbled in many aerobic programs in 2013 and had great difficulties committing to any particular one. I'll try, try again. I'm not giving up because I want to get to the point where I wake up each day revved up for some physical activity and going to bed soothed by some nerve-settling-sedentary-busting activity. This is not me making a new year's resolution. This is me (still) attempting to work on a habit I've been trying to cultivate since 2011.

For the month of January, I am committed to the Roller Derby Boot Camp and Jessica Smith's 4-Week Weight Loss Workout Program. I did pay for a $10 Groupon for an entire month's worth of Boot Camp. Who knows, I might get hooked. Jessica Smith is a fantastic trainer and I want to justify receiving her weekly e-mails (her cuing is really helpful so her e-mails must be equally helpful in leading me into the right fitness steps - that's how my mind is rationalizing it).

Fitness Magazines

Susy awesomely introduced me to DiscountMags.com many years ago to get a subscription to Shape to help me with my fitness goals. I just received a promotional e-mail about a sale for 2-year subscriptions. This prompted a quick reflection of the (potential) value these subscription(s) may bring to 2014.

I've had a subscription with Shape since 2011 and I think it did me well in 2013. Inspirational stories and fitness revelations somehow helped to keep 7 lbs. off throughout the year (I just know it!). I often complain there are too many ads, but there are still quality pieces. I've decided to renew my subscription for another 2 years.

Since it's the start of a new year, why not try a new and different perspective on women's fitness and health? For 9 buckeroos, I'll have a 2-year subscription to Women's Health. On a whim, I decided to also get Chris a gift subscription to Men's Health. Aww, what a saccharine gesture. His and Her's fitness mags. Now only if DiscountMags.com provided a subscription to Muscle & Fitness Hers, I might've been able to convince Chris to get jacked (<Shudders /> the word "jacked" is like a pair of And1s screeching against a recently buffed basketball court in my mind...) with me through good ol' M&F, his and her's.

On a side note, Fitness Magazine wants me to subscribe again after 2 years of bidding adieu to it. They tried to lure me back with a weight loss cheat sheet and other free gifts that didn't quite capture my fancy. During the time I had subscribed to Fitness, I gained weight. Not the mass you need to get your swole on. No, ma'am. Not for me again. Fitness would not return on my subscription list any time soon. It's also telling that this particular magazine is not available on DiscountMags.com.

fitbit

The fitbit communities motivated me to get those 10k+ steps/day throughout the year. I may not have been entirely consistent about getting to that step count each day, but it got me going. My specific fitbit is an older model and it hasn't died on me yet. I plan to still use a fitbit product if and when this one decides to croak. Within the last couple of weeks, folks that have a ridiculously higher average step count has connected with me. This will definitely light the fire behind my nalgas to keep moving and getting those steps in. My cousin just got a fitbit so it would be another source of motivation to keep me moving.

Webwalking USA

I was a pansy and a frosted flake for not completing the virtual Walk Across America challenge. With fitbit keeping track of my mileage, I should be able to complete this challenge in 2014. I can't leave so many loose ends around. I will finish it this year! Some of the lovely ladies in the fitbit communities brought up another web tool to track this virtual walk. Like what I was attempting to do here, pictures of your current location are shown every time you log your miles.

Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA) Challenge

In 2011, the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award Challenge proved be an effective gold star system to spur me towards physical activity and weight loss. I'm giving another shot at it in 2014. The challenge has changed a bit with a nutrition component added to it. In addition to getting in 30 minutes of activity at least 5 times a week, you need to make healthy eating choices like committing to drinking only water or eating lower fat dairy products during the week. In subsequent weeks you'll be adding to the list of nutrition goals you've set from the previous week. I'm confident I will get through this even though I know I have an eating obsession. I will conquer PALA with this additional nutrition challenge.

It seems like I'm stacking the fitness buffet plate again, but I don't like having so many loose ends at endeavors that are supposed to help.

2014 will be the year when I learn how to be responsible for my physical well-being and not be an aerobics program commitment-phobe.