January 31, 2003 - a time to reflect...

jillybean

jillybean

Cathlete
As we head into a new year, I thought we could each take a look back and say a little something about the past 12 months (fitness related or not).

For me, 2003 meant taking my cardio endurance up a notch. I began the year by doing Imax (the original) twice a week. Once my Intensity Series DVDs arrived, I did those religiously for about 2 months. By the fall, I was adding 8-16 intervals to each of the intervals in Imax 1 (thanks to A-Jock for her ideas, motivation, and inspiration). I also did Annette's Hi/Lo Heaven Mish Mosh - MIC hi/lo, CTX 10-10-10 hi/lo, and Boot Camp's cardio only premix all back to back. A year ago I couldn't get through MIC's hi/lo much less add onto it! I thank Annette, my other MN buds, and Cathe for making working out so darn fun! Now that the Body Blast series has arrived, I am having more fun than ever!

My eating is another thing. As some of you know I weighed 80 lbs in 2000, 180 lbs in 2001. This year, I tried to focus on not being so consumed and anxious about it all. I still binge way too frequently (no purging though), but it is a lot less frequent than it used to be. And I have a lot of you to thank for that. I cherish all of your sweet words and thoughts.

All in all, 2003 was my best year in years. Here's to 2004 and another 12 months of rotations, posts, motivations, stories, and smiles. I love this board!:)
 
2003 was a year that I really built up my endurance too. I could barely get through the Firm's Super Cardio. I somehow found the Cathe boards and someone mentioned that they did the Firm's Super Cardio on an easy day. I thought, "What?" Then I started with Cathe's CTX series and my endurance level just skyrocketed.

I was able to get through MIC and Circuit Max no problems. My resting heartrate is around 50 now!

On September 2nd I lost my younger brother unexpectedly. This has been the hardest time of my life. I am feeling better and still have my ups and downs. It took me a little while to get back into the groove of things but Cathe workouts and these boards really help me to stay positive.

I am looking forward to 2004. I will be getting married on October 16 and am so excited about that.

Happy New Year everyone!
 
Dani, I just wanted to let you know how sorry I am about your brother. Your enthusiastic posts on Timesaver always make me smile. Happy New Year!
 
Thanks so much Jillybean! Your posts always make me smile too. I love all your rotation ideas. Have a wonderful New Year. :)
 
I'm glad you shared this, Jillybean! For me, 2003 was the year I took back control of my own life. I lost the rest of the 60+ pounds I never needed, I got back into the size I was in college (and where I feel most comfortable), and I found I COULD do high impact aerobics, I COULD climb a flight of stairs without feeling like I was going to faint, and I COULD lift heavy weights and build muscle!! It's also the year I did a tremendous amount of soul-searching and personal growth. Part of that is because of Cathe, her workouts, and the wonderful friends I've made thanks to this forum. I have many plans for 2004, and none of them are out of my reach. I KNOW this now!!

So ... here's to a New Year, full of prosperity, good health, and blessings to all of you!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Carol
:)
 
Jillybean, I am so impressed by your workouts!!! Gives me something to work towards :) Dani, I am so sorry about your brother, too. I don't know what to say, as I've never been through something as difficult as this myself. You'll get through it!!

Fitness-wise and health-wise, it has been the laziest year I've ever had!!!!!!! So we won't go there :D

I'm not exactly sure what has happened in 2003, but I know that I have changed a lot, and my outlook on life has changed. I still have issues, and hurts, and heartaches that I had hoped would be gone by now, but I am now more optimist and more firm about moving on with my life. I have also made a lot of enemies, because I have finally started standing up for myself. I have let go of friends that weren't good for me, and stopped talking to people that hurt me - people that I've known for 10+ years. It hurts. I am finally set on doing what I REALLY want to do FOR ME. I WILL get an art degree, I WILL become fluent in Spanish, Italian, and French, I WILL get an engineering degree, and I WILL run a marathon. I have no doubt in my mind anymore that all of these will happen. A year ago, almost exactly, I decided that I would move to San Diego for school. I have spent this whole year crying about and wondering what I should do and how I would do it. I couldn't decide what the one thing for me was, until I realized that there is NOTHING stopping me from doing it all. Maybe I have to take classes for 10 or 15 years, but if I want it badly enough, I can do it. Better to be broke and frazzled than full of regrets :).

So this is a combination of 2003 reflections and New Years resolutions :D It feels good to share and get them down. Everything just seems more set in stone and doable when you do.

Happy New Year!!

Sara
 
:D Wow Jillybean I didn't realize the personal struggles you have had with your weight, 80 lbs. my goodness. Congratulations to you!! Also, Dani I am sorry for the loss of your brother.
 
Dani
How very sad to have lost your brother my sympathies are with you. Ilost my father in February and it is still hard to believe he is gone. Isay and this I learned from him play hard you never know when it is gonna end.
And now on a lighter note good luck in your marriage I was married on Oct 16th almost 22 years ago GOOD DATE
Lisa
 
Lisa,

Thanks so much for your kind words. My sympathies are with you also. I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. I know what you mean when you say it's hard to believe. Sometimes I sit there and just say to myself that it cannot be true. It just can't.

Thanks also for the well wishes about my wedding. How neat that you were married on Oct 16th also. :)

Happy New Year!
 
Thank you intensitylisa!! Happy New Year to you! :)

Jillybean...I'm so happy for you that you were able to come so far!!!
That is really such an accomplishment! You are amazing that you can add on to MIC and IMAX!!! WOW!
 
Hi Jillybean! This has been a pretty good year for me. The highlight was that I found Cathe in September! I'm feeling great now that I have a plan to get stronger. I have had some really bad years (mom died and three operations for me) and it does get better with time. The memories find a place that is not so painful inside. You never forget. And that's the good news - to remember and learn from it. I've always said, if you're not going forward, then you're really moving backwards. Everything changes so we must too. My hat is off to you. Keep the faith and rotations coming! You've, unknowingly, done so much for me:) Alexis
 
Oh, Jillybean, I can so relate to the bingeing behavior. I'm a binge-eater, too, and some of my weight changes from one year to the next have been almost as dramatic as yours. I would probably have gotten into that binge/purge cycle myself--I certainly tried to--but I just couldn't do it. Physically, I mean. That has been an incredible blessing, of course. I know there's not much we can do to help one another. It's a personal struggle, for the most part. Just wanted to let you know you're not alone and to thank you for coming back to the boards. I always look forward to hearing what you have to say.

Shari
 
2003 for me was a year to kick up my cardio fitness another notch as well, and I found a new passion...running (this from someone who previously thought I would DESPISE running). I went from never having run in April 2003 to running 17 miles nonstop in October. For 2004 I hope to run a marathon.

It was also a year to work toward moderation in eating. I too have struggled with eating problems for about 17 years on both ends of the spectrum, but each year my behaviors slowly but surely have gotten more normal. I want 2004 to be a year of treating my body with the reverence it deserves.

Congrats on your upcoming nuptials, Dani! Best wishes.

Also, I'm so sorry to hear about your brother.

Hope everyone has a happy and healthy 2004!

Holly
 
Jilly and Dani!

Jilly, I don't have time to post my goals at this time but I just wanted to say it is soooo nice to have you back & posting! Your screen name always brings a smile to my face and I love what you have to share. Thanks for being you and congrats on the great strides you have made. Aren't we a lucky bunch to have found this place? Dani, you are still in my thoughts and prayers. I know how hard this past year has been for you. Wishing you a FUN time as you & Scott prepare for your very special day. He is a LUCKY guy!!!
Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
 
RE: Jilly and Dani!

Debbie thank you so much for all your kindness. You are truly one special lady!!

Holly thanks so much for your well wishes.
 
RE: Jilly and Dani!

Dani! Thanks and so are you! I think of you often and I know the hurt death can bring. Hang onto all your great memories of him!
Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
 
Jilly, Dani, Miss Debbie, Tuck Jump Princess, Everybody...

It's not often that words fail me, a/k/a Miss Yakky. This thread does it, though. I am filled with gratitude, admiration, great respect and affection for you wonderful women (and men, if you read this, Trevor and Wayne! :)) And, of course, as we all are, for Cathe and Crew, for bringing us all together and lifting us all up to higher places.

Jilly and Dani, you two have endured especially hard struggles and you are living proof that a strong spirit (and a Cathe-ized body ;-)) can climb Mount Everest withoug breaking a sweat. I am so proud to "know" you both.

DebbieH, you are dear to my heart, sweet girl. Love and strength to Julie, and kisses to all of your beautiful family.

Tuck Jump Princess, what a gift to have your vivacious presence come blasting into my life. You're a treasure.

I am off to flog myself now with my New Year's Day gift to myself of 2 hours with Cathe. Then it's Pigskin Time! Hugs to all of you! May we all be stronger, healthier, fitter, prosperous and contented this year, and may we end 2004 feeling that we've set good examples and left good deeds and good feelings along our paths!

http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0903/sport/sport-smiley-003.gif Kathy S. http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0903/spezial/spudniks/spudniklifter.gif
 
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