I just joined three Transformers and three Kickstarters. Based on last year's winnings, that might not seem a fiscally sound decision -- but based on 2016... Well, it's done, and I feel good about choosing to believe in myself. Now I need to make good on that investment.
2017 was a tough year. However, looking back on the numbers, I think I gave up on myself far too quickly. I knew some weight gain was inevitable. My last DietBet goal was too low for me to maintain without some pretty severe caloric and exercise extremes, which was not the "lifestyle change" I was looking for; but I thought I could hover pretty happily around my chosen maintenance weight and still live my life on my own terms. After all, I think “normal” folks lose and gain some small number of pounds over the course of a year.
Sadly, I did not count on the long weeks without exercise due to my hip and knee issues, or the weeks of long, exhausting, stressful work days sitting at a desk from Thanksgiving through the New Year. Stress and choosing stress-eating during the highest calorie food offerings of the year really set my goals back.
I’m better equipped to handle that now. I have come to terms with using the elliptical for my daily exercise (to give my knees a break from running), but I still need to come up with a reliable way to handle the stresses of work – because they will always be there. I think the bottom line is that my health (therefore an hour or more set aside to exercise) has to come first. In 2016, when I reached my DietBet goal weight, I did a much better job of making my health a priority, so I know I can do that.
I love a new year and a series of managable goals -- and I see these as quite managable! This is a process, and I intend to see better results this year, as I have more experience at what it takes to maintain a lower weight. Looking forward to learning more through this year's DietBets. Onward and... downward (on the scales)!
The primary goal I set for myself in 2017, though, was completing a 4-day race series known as the Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World: a 5k, 10K, half marathon, and full marathon in 4 successive race days.
Even though I'm in my 60's and struggled with joint issues (and physical therapy, and a continually revised training plan), I still finished all four races -- and the 16-miler, 18-miler, and 20-miler that the training called for. That was a seemingly impossible goal (based on what my orthopedist told me anyway :) ) and I did it -- so the year was not a loss.