It’s the end of the year and before we jump right into goal setting how about taking a few minutes to share you success stories from 2007. Sometimes we don’t realize just how far we’ve come until we look back for a few minutes.
I remember climbing Tuckerman’s Ravine on Mount Washington in New Hampshire many years ago. We were hiking with skies and were planning on skiing the headwall. We climbed slowly, one step at a time climbing up steps that had been packed in the snow. Finally, when we took a break and looked back, we realized just how far we had climbed, even though while we were climbing, all we saw was more snow and more steps ahead. From our spot on the mountain, it seemed like we could see forever, the cars below looked like ants, we could see Wildcat Ski area.... All we did was look at our journey from a different perspective to appreciate how much progress we had made up that mountain.
This year, I’ve accomplished many goals, and not accomplished others. The most important is my relationship with my boyfriend. With lots of support from MTM and others, I’ve made some significant breakthroughs in the relationship and we have found something that will last for a long long time. Accomplishing the goal, just means that I will make new goals to continue to improve and enrich the relationship. Next year we want to find a place to live together, and who knows what else.
I finally learned to roll my kayak - Remember that I was going to learn to roll or drown trying. I’m happy to say that I’m alive and breathing, and it’s not salt water that I am breathing. In addition to just the rolling skills, I also took an instructor’s workshop and started teaching kayaking. Rolling was the hardest skill that I ever tried to learn. It’s not intuitive, requires being comfortable under water wearing a 17’ boat, and is a combination of coordination and flexibility more than strength. Once it’s mastered, it’s very easy to do. I was at the point of giving up by the end of the summer, but then I pushed through, kept going and finally did it. Another month of twice a week pool sessions and practice, practice, practice, I finally think I have it. That doesn’t mean stop practicing though, I’ll be back in the pool when it opens again next year.
There are other smaller goals that I’ve accomplished - some at work, some around the house, some with friends. I’m grateful for the support and encouragement found here at MTM. I’m looking forward to hearing about everyone else’s success this year.
Great idea for a thread, Paula. (Glad to see you back BTW)
This year has brought me several successes both physical and personal. I’ve dropped 42 pounds this year. My diabetes is under control without medication. My whole outlook on life has become more positive. Acting like a thin and healthy person is becoming second nature. My relationship with my BF has finally become what I have wanted it to be. We are happier than ever and now we are taking the next step by living together. But I still am a work in progress. I don’t think that I could ever say that I am complete and satisfied because there is always something else I want to accomplish or work at. For instance I still have about 20 pounds left to lose. I need to work at my creativity level and I’m still looking for a new job. These are things I will have to work on in 2008 amongst some other things.
I’m excited to hear what others have to say about their successes this year.
You two have had truly fantastic success this year. You have so much to be proud of!
For me, I think losing over 70lbs was a big one. And I did it the right way.
The second one would be the way I’ve implemented exercise into my lifestyle. Whether that’s working with my brother or going for regular walks(with ever increasing speed and distance), I have managed to sieze any opportunity to be active. And I now take more pleasure in walking than in stuffing myself. Now, if I could just kick that one for good! That’s what my current goal is! AND, I have either maintained or lost every month!
I have reached out more on a social level. This one is huge for me. Tied right into that is fighting my fear of school, which I’ve made some serious strides in most recently. For that I am extremely proud. And I can’t wait to finally start the new year courses in 08!
And lastly, I have identified and learned to manage my self-sabotage issues. The all or nothing attitude that once dominated my mind is gone. I have taught myself to think balanced about my efforts. I committed myself to change, and in return, I got what I wanted.
I would say that 2007 has been a good year for me. There was pain, I bled a lot this year. But I maintained and attained. Happiness is not the absence of adversity, it is choosing to percieve differently, and transcend the negative.
Congrats to all for their successes in 2007. I started late (Feb 7th), however my goal was to weigh below 200 lbs by Christmas. I easily accomplished that goal and I now weight 191 lbs and now have lost a total of 84 lbs since early February. My 2008 goal will be simple; lose my last 16-25 lbs (haven’t decided when I want to stop) however I am going to begin training in January for a 160 km cyclng race in early June, and to keep every single ounce of weight off through 2008. I know I can do it as I have seen a huge transformation in my eating habits and no longer want to eat poorly and now love exercising. Scott talks about compounding fitness and t just keeps getting better and better.
Emmi - You have come so far in so little time. I only wish I could have learned life’s lessons as quickly as you. I’m very proud of what you have accomplished. You are no only acting as if you were a thin person, you ARE a thin person, and you are healthy, and fit, both physically and emotionally!!!
Brandon - I’m also amazed and in awe of your insight. If only I had half of your knowledge when I had been your age. You will do great things as you move forward. It’s not easy to make these accomplishments. You are an amazing person and you will go far in life.
Dave - Don’t sell yourself short. losing 84 pounds is huge. You may think it was easy, but only because you worked steadily and were consistent. No one step was very hard, the hard part was to keep taking those steps. That in itself is a major accomplishment. In my crystal ball, I see that you will keep getting better and better. The crystal ball is no secret, just look in the mirror.
Love you all and wish you all the best. Now for more success stories........
I’m getting so inspired by all your successes! Great idea for a thread, Paula!
Okay, my turn:
- I started a new career path, ESL teaching. And, while I don’t think I’ll continue with it (the weekly pay is quite low, though the hourly pay is quite high), it’s been a rewarding, educational experience.
- I earned a green belt in my new karate dojo.
- I have been in a wonderful relationship with my boyfriend—our one-year anniversary is New Year’s eve! We survived even through a 4-month stint of long-distance relationship, and we’re still so happy together.
- I won a silver bracelet for my bardic performances (poetry composition and recitation, this time). It was something I was aiming for since at least last December, and it was probably one of the highlights of my year.
My successes...wow. Well for one, I am happy to report that I made it through Christmas without one unhealthy thing..no cookies, cakes, fatty dishes for me. I ate clean and well, happy too!! Who says you need a cookie to be happy. Hey, I’ll go out on a limb and say I made it through the holidays without gaining...I think I actually lost weight. Wooooppppie.
Awesome success for you all who have posted so far! It’s amazing what we can accomplish when we set our minds to it and then take action, isn’t it?
I’ve done a lot this year. I: maintained my 4.0 GPA in graduate school with one semester left to go; learned how exercise progression works, got my personal training certification, gone from 163 lbs to 144 lbs and size 12 pushing 14 to a size 10- nearly 8; written an e-book, set up two websites; learned about the law of attraction and made it work for me, started and maintained a blog, gotten a Facebook account, joined a forum or two; watched my 3 year old become a 4 year old and learn about the joys of preschool and programs; and enjoyed a lasting relationship with my husband which only becomes stronger each year.
I’d say it’s been a good year!
Goals for next year: do the Tour deKota bike ride, graduate, and decide what I’m going to do with myself.
Tom - No videos, but a friend in Florida took a few pictures of me rolling while I was visiting. I have to nag her to send them to me, and I’ll post them here. Your success stories this year are inspirational. You’ve come so far and done so much i can hardly keep up.
Zookie - just keep moving one step at a time, one holiday at a time. You’re doing great and there is more to come.
Carrie - I love your goals, especially the one where you decide what you may want to do. Isn’t it wonderful to have so many possibilities!
Julie - you are always so positive about life, it’s really motivational to see what you have accomplished. You must be an inspirational teacher. Keep moving forward with your career choices. One day it will all come together and you will find something that is both financially rewarding and enjoyable.
Wow, all of your guys’ successes this year makes me feel very happy, honestly. You have all bettered the world by bettering yourselves. The more positive and prosperous we are, the more we see things begin to change all around us. If you think about it for a second, the MTM family is changing the world. Folks from all around are benefiting.
I’m going to carry my small success stories on into 2008.
This past weekend I performed my first “Combat Rescue” while kayaking. This is when you are the primary rescuer when someone capsizes unintentionally (not practice, not fooling around, not playing). It’s a real situation where things have gone wrong and could get worse. My goal last year was to become part of the solution and not be part of the problem. By being the first to respond and was able to help my friend and paddle partner get out of cold water and back into her boat, I took a great step forward at being part of the solution.
New Goal - to be an active participant in the safety committee in our kayak club, and to increase awareness of safe paddling practices.
When paddling, 90% of the time, things go right, it’s the other 10% that will kill you.
My latest success was last Saturday. I assisted in teaching my first kayak class, and also received my first tip as an instructor.
I had forgotten how awkward it felt when I first started learning some of the skills required to maneuver a kayak. I would get tangled up with the paddle. Where do you put this 8’ long thing (to borrow one of Scott’s technical terms) while you are trying to rescue your partner. How do you climb into this very narrow, tippy, boat when you are swimming in deep water. How do you turn this 15 to 17 foot thing that’s attached to your body.
It was very rewarding to see the progress that the students made in such a short time.
It’s been a little while since I’ve posted. It’s been very busy with the launching of our new business. Anywho, over the weekend, while in Las Vegas for some R&R;I achieved my Gold Medal in the Presidential Fitness Challenge. It took longer than it should have, but it is done!
It’s been a little while since I’ve posted. It’s been very busy with the launching of our new business. Anywho, over the weekend, while in Las Vegas for some R&R;I achieved my Gold Medal in the Presidential Fitness Challenge. It took longer than it should have, but it is done!
Hey there, Todd:
Having all kinds of things going on in your world tends to distract most people from their goals; but, you’re showing that you can keep a goal in mind, long-term, and achieve it when time, focus and possibility present themselves. Well done, Sir!
Saturday I taught my first kayak class. It was a kayak basics class, nothing difficult, just taking some people and introducing them to a sport that I love so that they could have fun and learn to stay safe. I used the daily boost to prepare for the class and get myself into a peak state. As part of my planning for the class, I visualized what the class experience should be, people out on the water on a beautiful day having fun… and then did what was necessary to create that experience.
My next class is on Sunday, it’s a Sea Kayak 1 class, a full day that goes into more strokes and rescues. I’ll be doing the same kind of preparation and I’m planning on making it fun and educational for everyone there. I need all the practice I can get before my certification exam next month.
