Well, what a year it has been!! I was one of the few people who were sad to see it go. I feel like I accomplished so much throughout 2016. Among the top were I finished college and graduated with a diploma in Health Wellness and Recreation. It was very tough to balance school, work and general life but somehow I managed to pull through. If there were ever any courses of interest at Eastern College I would go there again in a heart beat. I got to share my graduation with the people who mean the most to me. I think little Payton was the most excited though. lol She was quite upset when my seating changed and she could no longer see me, from what I've been told. lol As I left the ceremony she was standing in the isle waiting for me so I picked her up and carried her out of the gym and she was super excited about that. :)
I also started my own business this year, Dump The Junk Fitness. I have 3 solid clients who have been with me on a consistent basis and a few who did their package and moved on. I love what I do. Not only do I get to meet lots of new people but I get to work with them a few hours a week, I get to see them get closer to their goals, I get to help them realize what they want is possible. It's great when a client says I had jeans I wanted to wear for a long time and now I can fit in them. For me it's rewarding to share in that excitement. I also had a client who had never run before. She signed up for a race as a goal and a few months after she ran her very first 5k race. I got to be on the race route and see her. She was working hard and I was so proud of her. I hope she realized her successes.
For myself, I ran a race in October and although I didn't finish in the time frame I wanted to I had a big eye opener for myself about half way through the race. I have arthritis in my hips (and on one side it's pretty much bone on bone) and knees and I never thought I'd be doing another running race for that reason. Training was too painful. However, my dr put me on some medication (finally I broke down and admitted that I needed it) and it has taken a lot of the pain away and for the most part the pain I have is manageable for now. Here I was, doing another road race and I was on top of the world. All of a sudden my finish time didn't matter so much anymore. I enjoyed the last km of the race because you know what, I was doing it and regardless of the time I WOULD finish, but really I was DOING another race, hell ya!! I have a goal of running more races in 2017 and possibly working up to a half marathon by Oct but we'll see how it goes. Sadly I wasn't able to sign up for the Rock Pile bike race last year but rest assured I will be doing it this year!!
In July I started doing bootcamps at a fit club over in Dartmouth. I was super excited for the opportunity. A few months later, in Sept, I was offered at job at the fit club. I've been here for 5 months and I really like it. One more step in my career/passion. Someday I hope to open my own studio but until then I will take in all I can get as there is always something new to learn. I am still battling against myself to get my ACSM certification but damn it, I'll get it even if it kills me (and it just may do that, lol). I am looking into other options at this point just so I can have the PT title after my name.
Frank and I didn't do a lot of prep for the wedding but now that it's coming up in 8 short months I guess we better get the planning started. I am trying to lose weight before I start seriously looking for a dress. It seems the thought of picking out a dress is exciting and scary to me. I think the weight thing is playing on me but once I pick out a dress then it's actually happening. I don't think I've really let it sink in yet. I AM GETTING MARRIED!! We think we have a location picked out, we just need to go see it and finalize the details.
So, it is with some sadness that I said goodbye to 2016 as it was overall an exciting year for me. Looking forward I see lots of exciting opportunities ahead for 2017. I will be getting my certification, I'll be competing in the Mount Washington Bike Race again (signup is Feb 1), hopefully taking on more of my own clients, and most importantly I'll be getting married. I am super excited to see what else is in store for me.
My goals for 2017
get married
stop procrastinating with everything
lose weight (about 65 pounds)
complete my bike race up Mount Washington
grow my business
blog more often and post more videos
train more
get my PT certification along with others (possibly something dealing with life coaching, nutrition and weight loss specialities)
start doing some weight loss talks to the public
take more time for myself
don't stress over things so much
