Weight and See

I'm going to estimate that about 90% of Americans' New Year's resolutions have something to do with exercising or losing weight. Why not? - It's a new year and a new you, right? Every year I tell myself I need to shape up and get going again. I prefer long, vigorous walks outdoors as opposed to walking around a boring track indoors. I usually do pretty well until about June when the weather starts to get warmer. Neither Emma or I do very well in the heat.  When I'm already hot why would I want to do something that will increase my core temperature? So the rest of the summer consists of night walks, which I enjoy (again if it's not too hot). But as the summer lingers my zest for outdoor fitness fades.

At that point I'm ready for autumn and the change of colors. Autumn walks are the best, in my opinion. The air is fresh and crisp from the night's rainfall. The leaves are bright and starting to fall. I like to hear the crunch of leaves under my walking shoes. The environment is starting to go into hibernation for the next six months. I will be the first to admit, though, that autumn in the Pacific Northwest doesn't always allow for many sunny days. But as long as the rain is not in a torrential downpour, Emma and I will be out and about enjoying a walk around our neighborhood. The variety of beautiful, old houses is a sight to see. I find myself imagining what it would be like to live in them. I suppose this is my way of taking my mind off of the pain I'm feeling walking up one of the North End's massive hills!

This year I am more determined than ever to reach my fitness goals. It's not about weight for me. Honestly. I just want to love the way I look and feel awesome inside and out. It's been too long since I've felt like that! Exercise can also help with depression and I've found that exercising helps decrease my fibromyalgia symptoms - well once I get used to exercising again, that is. A few years ago we had a membership at the YMCA. I'd like to do that again this year. I've always enjoyed weight training. The burning of muscles. Now that's success! It's easy to overdo it though, so I'll have to remember to be careful. Light weights, multiple reps. And during the hot summer months I find I can still be active by utilizing their very nice A/C and boring-but-better-than-sweating-to-death indoor track.

Yes, this year WILL be the year I get back into shape! There is no excuse. I'm almost 30 and my metabolism is not getting any faster! And now that I have shared my fitness goals with all of you in cyberspace I cannot fail!