chasing the wagon

Sorry that I've been MIA with 'move it monday' the last couple of weeks.  As I'm sure it was for the rest of you, life was busy, I didn't feel as though I had anything motivational or significant to say health and fitness wise, and I decided to just take a break.

In the last couple of months I'd say I had started falling off that healthy wagon I have been riding.  In the last couple of weeks I feel like I'm chasing the damn thing.  Sweets everywhere I look.  Food in general everywhere I look.  A million excuses as to why I really don't feel like working out.  But it's a new day and a new year so I can only choose to try and be better right?

Looking back at my December goals, I'd say that I did alright.  Not fantastic, but alright.

1.  Complete a 30 minute (or more) workout 5+ times a week.
I'm pretty sure there was a week or two that I only managed 4 workouts.  But a couple of the days that I missed we went shopping for a couple hours which equals walking.  I just didn't count it as a workout.  Eh, I'll take it.

2.  Run/walk 15+ miles a week.
The mileage seemed to be the easiest for me to accomplish (not surprising, seeing as I've deemed running my favorite form of exercise).  I might be a little off, but it looks like throughout the month I covered 74.5 miles running and walking.  Definitely an average of 15 miles per week.

3.  Complete one solid strength workout per week.
Fail.  I know I did a couple, but man, I cannot convince myself to do weights for anything anymore.  It is terrible!  Something I need to fix in 2012. 

4.  Only gain 0-2 pounds
Errr I was semi successful at this?  Not really.  I'm embarrassed to say that when I weighed myself the day after we got back from Christmas (so Tuesday) the scale told me I was up 5 pounds.  EEEK!  But by Friday I was only up a pound.  We've been at my parents all weekend, so I'm not sure how I finished out the month, but I guess I'll take it.  It could have been a lot worse!

There is no denying it, I over indulged throughout the holidays.  I wanted to give myself a little leeway, but I've definitely been going a little overboard.  No use dwelling on it though.  It is time to set some goals for this new year.  These aren't set in stone just yet (nor would they ever be I guess!), but here is what I'm planning on right now for 2012.

2012 Fitness Goals
1.  Run/walk 500+ miles.
That really is only an average of just under 10 miles per week.  If I train for another half marathon or two, I really don't see that as being a problem.  Quite honestly I should probably set the bar a little higher, but I'm also trying to be realistic.  You never know what life is going to throw at you. 

2.  Participate in 6+ races, including at least one half marathon.
Races, whether you are going in trying to PR or just going to have a good time, are really just fun.  I love the atmosphere, and I love the motivation to push myself a little bit harder.  I already have a list of five that I would possibly like to do this spring, so it is just a matter of making myself sign up and actually do them!  Maybe I can manage a 5k in under 27 minutes, and a half in under 2 hours.  I'd be flying high with that for sure.

3.  Include strength training AT LEAST once a week.
Really that is a semi pathetic goal.  I should be shooting for a minimum of twice a week.  Strength training is very important to maintaining what I worked so hard for.  I can already tell that I have lost a lot of muscle tone since September.

4.  Try to incorporate yoga or stretching.
I'm not taking the best care of my body.  I ask it to do a lot as far as the running goes, but then never properly stretch.  I know I'm going to pay a price for it sooner or later, so I really want to make myself do yoga once a week too.  That is probably going to be the hardest fitness goal for me to achieve.

Something else I'd like to do in 2012?  A freaking pull-up.  Which means I am really going to have to work on the arm strength.  I don't think I'll add it as an official goal, because it is something I have yet to achieve and I know would be very difficult for me.  But it would be pretty awesome.

And right now I really need to work on getting my eating back in check.  Too many sweets have creeped back into my days.  No good, no good at all.  I plan to track calories for the next two months and see if that can help refocus my relationship with food.

Really, this year, I'm most excited for more running.  I can't believe I'm writing that.  I most certainly would have never thought I could enjoy running, but I love it.  I am constantly competing with myself, trying to do better.  It can be draining on the brain at times, but a good run just feels SO good.

How did you do with your December goals?  What are your fitness goals for 2012?  Link up below!