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From the perspective of numbers, my “Year of Transformation” was an utter failure.  I went completely off track about May and regained everything I’d lost plus some.  On Jan 2, 2012, I weighed about 25 pounds MORE than I did in Feb 2011.  That’s bad news, as there’s apparently a link between yo-yo weight changes and type 2 diabetes, and I have a strong family history of type 2 diabetes.

I’m back on track-January inspires resolutions.  I’m working to eat healthy food, move more, take better care of myself.  Hopefully last year’s failure has some lessons that will help me with this year’s successes.  The first five of those pounds have come off very easily, thankfully.

From the perspective of learning, I had a lot of successes last year.  I’m trying to focus on those, stick with them and build on them.  Here’s a list, mostly to encourage me.

1. There are a lot of exercises I ENJOY.  I love walking outdoors, hiking through woods or mountains, canoeing, kayaking, white water rafting, Zumba classes and stretching.  I enjoy most aerobic exercise classes, weight lifting (free and on machines), elliptical and arc trainers.
2. I’m brave enough to try new things.  I’ve done a lot of new exercises in the last year and tried a lot of new recipes.  Ed and I are actually enjoying our morning green smoothies.
3. There are a lot of healthy foods I enjoy.   I actually like eating salad a LOT.  I don’t feel deprived at all ordering a salad when I’m out for lunch and everyone else orders pasta or a sandwich.  I love fresh fruit; it’s hard to beat crunchy raw veggies or fresh tomatoes.
4. I feel terrific when I eat only healthy food.  My winter long chronic sinus problems disappeared last year when I was eating a nearly vegan diet.  I was less depressed and more energetic.  Right now, I feel good physically because I had a smoothie for breakfast - banana, orange and spinach.
5. I feel terrific when I exercise. On the days I went to the gym after work, I came home feeling like a million dollars.  After not exercising for a while, my muscles are tight, my joints ache, I feel lethargic.  Even 5 minutes of bends, wiggles and touches and a quick walk in the morning makes a big difference in my day.
6. Writing down everything I eat has a HUGE impact on how much and when I eat.  I learned a valuable skill that I need to practice more.
7. My sleep habits are lousy and a huge problem for any health changes I’m trying to make.  I’ve internalized the idea that it’s sexy and fun to stay up late.  I have three kids and it’s a treat to have “adult time” after they go to bed, no matter how late I’m up.  I often eat to stay awake, which exacerbates this.
8. My stress handling strategies are lousy and another huge problem.  Food is a comfort for me.  Crunchy food when I’m mad, creamy food when I’m sad, chocolate anytime.  I eat to stay alert when I’m sleepy; I eat to wind down so I can go to sleep.  I eat to stay alert when I’m driving a long distance.
9. I’m afraid of this change.  I’m comfortable being fat, and it’s very scary to contemplate being slim and healthy.  It’s a fundamental change in who I am, and I might make all these changes and still be unattractive.  What happens then?

So this is Year of Transformation, Take Two.  Wish me luck!