It only takes a spark!

Happy New Year! I can't believe that 2012 is already here. So much has happened over the past 12 months and 2011 seems to have flown by! It was an exciting year of a new job, new healthy lifestyle, new adventures (1/2 marathons, Morgan started Kindergarten, etc!). 


I first want to start by posting a pic from 12/31/10 and 12/31/11. It's amazing that when I was asked for "before" pics I realized that I never really had one for 2 reasons: 1) I am the family photographer and 2) If there was a pic of me, I usually deleted it because it disgusted me. However, my mother-in-law had pics from our Christmas get-together from last year. When we were in Florida last week, we spent some time going through them to see how much the kids have grown...and how much I've shrank! Here is a pic from last year on New Year's Eve and this year on New Year's Eve. 

Wow, right? It even amazed me and I see me everyday!


So, I wanted to spend this blog highlighting some AMAZING people. It's funny, because one of the things I hear most often about my weight loss is: "wow, I thought if you could do it, I could do it too." And I was thinking the other day, how I've seen so many people also make awesome changes in 2011. Now, I know by doing this I might leave someone out, but it's not intentional! Be sure to comment below if I forgot to mention you! Rest assured, I'm proud of you too!!!


I have to start with my own MOM and DAD. In 2011, they joined their local YMCA and are doing ZUMBA a few times a week! Cool, right? I am so proud of them!


Jonathan - it took a few months for Jonathan to get on board with the gym, running and healthy eating, but by April, he was on his way! Since he started, he's lost over 50 lbs and can still beat me in every race we do...well, almost. ;)


Jonathan's family - It's not often that we get to see/spend time with Jonathan's family because they are in Florida, but we get daily Facebook updates! Many of his family members (Mom, aunts, uncles, grandmother, cousins) joined MyFitnessPal to track their calories. They have lost over hundreds of lbs combined! They've also started running and many of them competed in their first 5Ks in 2011. I introduced Jon's mom (Judy) to "Couch to 5K" over the summer and Judy will compete in her first 1/2 Marathon this weekend! So proud of all of you! Here is a pic from a 5K that his family organized while we were down there last week so that we could all run together! 

Dustin Hinton - Dustin is a friend of ours that started to run races with us back in June. Since then, he's lost over 50 lbs and is currently training for his first IronMan 140.6 later this year! You can follow his progress HERE. 

Co-worker Jeff - Jeff not only works in my office, but he was also my teammate in our PoolCorp Biggest Loser Contest. We went on to take the title, but Jeff was able to win "Overall Biggest Loser" as well! He's lost over 50 lbs since joining Star Fitness Center and was the key to helping me win that iPad back in April for the recruiting contest! Thanks, Jeff!!!

Alicia Edwards - Alicia is an amazing friend that I made my first year out of college when I was working at Fox in Alexandria! Even though we only knew each other a few months before she moved to Iowa, we've remained friends since 1999. She started Couch to 5K this past summer and is now running as well! She has inspired one of my goals for 2012 - to complete my first full marathon in Chicago in October! I can't wait to cross the finish line with you, Alicia!


Now, I don't know everyone's story and stats, but here are a few more that I wanted to mention by name that I know have had an amazing 2011 - Jason and Stacy Lindsey, Jen Gibson, Laura Fricke, Celeste Haar, Debbie O'Connor... again, sorry if I forgot anyone! So proud of ALL of you!!


I mentioned one of my goals/resolutions for 2012 above but here is a short list of things that I have committed to for 2012, in no particular order...

• I want to log 1000 miles of running this year. That's about 83 a month, 19 a week or 2.75 a day. I am keeping a log, and so far for the first 3 days in 2012, I've logged 10.3 miles - so far so good!
• I want to be home to bathe the kids and put them to bed every night that I can. Working across the lake in the past and working out last year put that on the back-burner for Jonathan to do, but it's something that's a priority this year. We're off to a great start with that as well! 3 for 3!
• Make my own coffee and lunch. It's been easy to swing by Starbucks everyday and not realize that I spend $2.66 each morning. In 2012, I am going to make my own coffee at work. I will save over $700 this year doing it! That's 1/2 of a trip to Disneyworld!!! I've also been going home for lunch (when I can) and grilling fish and chicken on the George Foreman grill and steaming veggies. That will also save a ton of $$ (and calories) this year!
• I have also committed to having a cleaner house and keeping the laundry up to date! It's so easy to let it get away when there is no time, but going home for lunch actually lets me get caught up a bit because I can clean when I'm not chasing after kids!!
• And as mentioned above, my ultimate fitness goal for 2012 is to complete the Chicago Marathon. I am doing at least four 1/2 marathons in 2012 (2 in January, one in April and one in October), but I want to complete a 26.2! 

So that's it! And just remember, as I learned from a song that we sang wayyyy back in youth choir, "It only takes a spark, to get a fire going"...you never know who you will inspire when you make changes...even the little ones. Make even the little things count in 2012!

Janel