Backward and Forward

I just realized that tomorrow is New Year’s! I got to thinking about this past year and all that’s happened, and it seems so long and so short at the same time.

In January, I made the decision to join my school’s Biggest Winner weight loss program. Being in the program meant that I joined a CrossFit class taught by an instructor from our local CrossFit group. Monica intimidated me so much at first, but I eventually got over it and focused on our workouts each evening, which were HARD. I had never been fit in my life, and I was determined to do my best! After 4 months of training and eating healthy, I lost a totally of 37.5 pounds, and I was the most fit I had ever been in my life! 

The Heels and Wheels race, which Jaimi and I
finished together in April. So much fun!

After school was over, I had a few weeks off, and then joined 3 other students from our school, and we travelled all summer to camps and churches to represent our school and to teach students about Jesus and his love the whole time. Seth, Jaimi, and Emilee became my family for the whole summer, and we all had an amazing time! There were ups and downs, but we all got along in the end, and I know I’ll remember this summer for the rest of my life.

My awesome team! I'll love them all forever.

The third phase of the year was this past semester, when I tried to continue the Biggest Winner program. I started in January at 231.5 pounds, and ended at 194 pounds in April, so my goal was to try and just get it lower. I started this semester at 197 pounds, and ended up lowering it to 193, staying the same for the most part. Honestly, my eating should have made me gain a bunch of weight, but I think it was the CrossFit class that helped to keep it off. I got lucky for sure!

January to December 2013

I feel like I’m starting on the same square in 2014 as I did this year, but this couldn’t be more false. I have a plethora of knowledge about eating healthy, staying active, and keeping in shape that I didn’t have at this time last year, and I’m also carrying almost 40 pounds less than I was in January. If anything, I have a huge advantage over last January 1st! I just can’t get cocky and think that my goals will be handed to me on a platter; I’m going to have to work for them every day! 

I learned to have fun while working for my goals in CrossFit!

The only thing holding me back from being the best I can be is myself; once I choose to live for something (or more importantly, someONE) than me, my life gets put into the right perspective. So if I haven’t clarified yet, it is at this point that I would like to recognize God, because it is his hope and his new mercies every day that have brought me this far, and will continue to push me to live for him. I know that he wants me to live every day for him, so I will discipline myself and find others to keep me accountable to my goals in the next year. THAT is the true key to reaching goals!

My two roommates last semester. They helped keep me
accountable even when I didn't feel like it!

What’s holding you back from reaching your true potential? Have you actively chosen to let God be the center of your goals? I’ve learned that it’s not a one-time thing. I have to choose him every single day! If you haven’t already chosen God to guide you, will you? Every day is a new chance!

Here's to doing our very best next year!

Ready. Set. Go!