This month I'm participating in #reverb10. Every day a new prompt is issued and I will write my response. The goal is to reflect on 2010 and manifest what's next in 2011. Want to learn more? Visit www.reverb10.com.
Prompt: One Word. Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you're choosing that word. Now, imagine it's one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?
I guess the point of these prompts is that they're supposed to make you really think hard about them, and this one is certainly no exception.
My 2010 word is: PROGRESS
As I reflect back on 2010, there have certainly been many ups and downs. It's been a very roller coaster year, but in the end, I think the overall theme was PROGRESS. This year meant the renewed commitment to a weight loss routine in order to push myself towards growth and life fulfillment for years to come. With a renewed commitment to weight loss also came a commitment to fitness, which was previously lacking in my weight loss efforts. This meant restructuring my thoughts about my mind and body and its capabilities. It meant re-organizing my daily routines to incorporate at least 5 hours of dedicated physical activity per week, not including travel time to and from the gym, extra shower time, extra laundry, etc. It meant restructuring my priorities of things to accomplish during the week.
Sometimes, I feel all I've done in 2010 is talk about my weight loss. But upon further reflection I realize that the year hasn't been around weight loss as it has been around fitness. Around building healthy, sustainable habits. Around pushing myself to do things I haven't done before, such as a 5k. Such as maintaining a 5 day -per-week workout routine for over 6 months. This is progress.
I started out on this weight loss/fitness/progress path this year because I felt stagnant. Like water in a baby pool that has been sitting in the yard for 5 months. Rancid and not moving. That which doesn't bring joy or provide enjoyment. Having spent my entire life being limited by physical limitations and mental blocks to overcoming those, SOMETHING had to change. PROGRESS had to be made.
Progress to making the changes necessary to begin living a fulfilled life – one without physical limitations or barriers because of my weight. Because of my sheer size. I was so tired of being held back by something that is controllable. It's hard to control- true; but it IS controllable.
In order to make progress this year, I had to ask for help. And wow did I receive! Tools in the form of Lexington Athletic Club, Rob Silver (aka Trainer Rob), and wonderful people who are endlessly supportive (you included). Because of these tools, I've been able to make weight loss progress, fitness progress and therefore, LIFE progress. So far in 2010 I've lost 44 pounds for 88 total. Next year will be better, for sure.
My 2011 word is: GROWTH
As 2010 comes to an end, it's becoming much more evident that I've been so focused on the physical portion of this “weight loss progress” journey that my mind hasn't yet made the necessary adjustments to sustain continued “life progress.” To me, GROWTH includes PROGRESS but also adds development, awareness, self-improvement and fulfillment. I want this growth to extend beyond just weight loss and fitness. I want it to expand into my every day life and encounters at work, with friends, with family and with new experiences.
Growth in 2011 can come in a multitude of ways:
- Mental growth in the form of therapy, counseling and journaling. This can be formal or informal- just some way to push beyond a past riddled with anxiety and depression, and move forward towards inner peace
- Continued commitment to the weight loss/fitness journey that is producing a physical transformation as well as a body that is more able to experience life
- New experiences in all aspects of life
- Challenges that will push me to learn more about myself and be more open to others
I don't think that growth will be easy. I think it might actually be much harder than the progress from this year. 2011 is the year of me turning 30 years old. It's time to figure out what is holding me back from living the rest of my life. I'm excited!
