Reasons to NOT make Resolutions #Fitfluential

Anonymous

Many people look forward to the New Year for a new start on old habits.

I admit it. I use to make resolutions every year. Sure enough, like clockwork, by mid-January I had failed miserably at them and then begain to beat myself up a bit, with a subsequent resolve to try again. Like an endless roller coaster I went back and forth between being "good" and being "bad". Luckily I am also Catholic so I had Lent to try once more to make it happen. Often with the same results. One day, I just gave up on them altogether in frustration.

What is it about New Year's that entices us so? Why is it so difficult to stick to resolutions?

Reasons Against Setting Resolutions:
1. All good things take time, and your health is one of them. Waiting till a certain day to start is not going to help. Do it TODAY and be ahead of the game. Why wait?
2. Life Does Go On: What happens when the year is over? What happens to that great resolution then even if you are successful? Do you just give up on it?
3. "Most" Resolutions revolve around will power. Sure, it is important. Yet, if you always have blamed your lack of will power to follow through on a resolution each and every year will the clock striking midnight on December 31st change that, or will YOU change that?
4. NO fun. Most resolutions are negative. Giving up this or that. If you look at my goals for 2013 most revolve around doing fun things, and stretching them just a bit beyond what I did last year. Keep it fun.
5. Every day brings a new challenge that we can't always prepare for. Example: If you resolve to go to the gym everyday but you cannot afford to keep paying the membership (it CAN get pricey) then technically you failed a resoltuion even though you can still stay healthy and be active without a membership. Besides, rest days are important for your body to recover from a workout.
6. Unrealistic. We all work, have families, and a myriad of other responsibilties. Often resoltuions don't consider that we may need to be more flexible. Don't beat yourself up. Think more about where you want to go, and what STEPS you need to get there. Those are what goals are. It gives you a better look at the big picture rather then focusing on one snippet of it.
7. You have a LONG time to wait to get a WIN. The best reason for goal setting across a year instead of a resolution? You can reap the benefits much sooner. You can pat yourself on the back each time you strike one thing off that list. You won't have to wait until next December 31st to do it either!

Personally I think there is too much pressure to perform when it comes to resolutions. Every year I set a year long set of goals that I try to keep flexible, yet just challenging enough that I don't get complacent. For instance this year I would like to try one new fitness activity that I haven't done yet each month. This is not only doable, but far from boring. It definitely beats trying to cut out chocolate or coffee for an entire year (something I think is just downright crazy to attempt - LOL).

If New Year's Resolutions are your thing have at it. Some people are really, really good at it. Myself, I will be sticking to my rather lofty year-long goals. Either way, have a great 2013. All the best to you and those you love!

Cheers!

An Awesome Christmas!!!

Got lots of new running gear today from hubby! <3

Happy Holidays!

I just wanted to take the time to wish every one of you a safe, happy holiday season. If you were like me, the last few days have been hectic and you may not have been on your A-game when it came to working out. Today I hope to get some kind of run in after I finish up shopping for the hubby. I am so far behind on Christmas  this year. However, I gave myself the out on the excecise this week and just tried to not go crazy on the sweets. Kind of successful on that, but not as well as I hoped. Oh well.

Regardless, if you are traveling I hope you are safe and your trips are uneventful. Enjoy this time with your loved ones. That is the most important thing aboiut this time of year, right?

Love,

Karen

Hoover Dam 10K, 1/2 and Full Marathon (Volunteering)

I had the opportunity to volunteer for Calico Racing's Hoover Dam 10K, 1/2 and Full Marathon this past weekend. I arrived at 8 AM and it was cold and damp but luckily it was not drizzling anymore. I was prepared with lots of layers, as well as a few extra coats and a blanket in my car. To my surprise the sun began to peek out and I saw not one but two rainbows over the park. It was an awesome sight. Later on in the day it did warm up a bit so I was able to shed some layers. 

If you haven't volunteered for a race yet, as a runner I would encourage you to do so. Not only was it fun it was extremely rewarding. Being there to see every runner pass was remarkable, and I hope I helped make life a little easier for those on the course that day. 

Here are a few pictures.Congrats to all the runners, especially my friends who ran the race!

View of the Dam

The aid station I was at.

                                  

Hey, fellow bloggers!!! #fitfluential

I take the time fairly often to read what other bloggers are up to. For me, it isn't just practical since many offer up some great workouts, recipes, and other great tips. It also helps to inspire me on those days that I may not be feeling my best or have a bit of self-doubt. That got me to thinking that it would be great to be able to send out some of those same blogs to other readers and include any link love and twitter happiness I can. All to give back a little bit.

Here is my proposal: If you are a blogger and would like to have one of your blogs from December featured in the newsletter please forward it to me by emailing it to kjhannington@yahoo.com Subject: Newsletter. I would like to have them by this coming Monday, December 31st so that I can get the newsletter out for the New Year. If you have a twitter handle please include that as well because I will tweet the newsletter and your handle too. If you haven't subscibed to the newsletter yet you can do so by entering your email at the bottom of any page on runwithk.com.

It can be one you have already posted so don't feel that you need to sit down and write something new. Pick your favorite one from this month.

If this idea takes off I will do another newsletter in January.

Fab Virtual Racing - Virtual Run

I love my dog Castle every day
but today he really made his momma proud and also helped her out of a funk. Today was a rough day, so I really wasn't feeling a run, but forced myself to because I committed to a virtual race for 12-12-12. I only signed up for the 1.2 option because I am trying to build myself back up. The longest run my dog has done was about a half mile so this was going to be his farthest.

He did fantastic. He pulled a little bit at first but after awhile he got into the grove and ran with me instead of "for" me. The only time I had to stop was when I small dog was ahead of us and Castle got it in his head that it was time to play. I had to head him off and let them pass us. Besides that, he really did a great job of hanging by my side.

This event was directed by Charlene and Angela of Fab Virtual Racing. They each have their own blogs which you can fin under my Link Love page at Run With K.

I am really glad that I kept to my plan and did this run. Now I am relaxing with the pup, watching some TV, and watching patiently for my weekly Shemar Moore fix to begin (What can I say I love Criminal Minds).

Moral of the story, a dog and a run can be the perfect medicine for what ails you.

Here are some more photos from this evening's run. They're a bit blurry but still cute.

Post-run snack.

Happiness in my mailbox!