I will answer my own questions
1) Reflect for a moment on all you have achieved this year. Are you happy with your progress? If you haven't made as much scale progress as you would have liked, what about non-scale achievements?
I have lost about 30lbs. At times I get discouraged by this and think, "I could have lost more! Some people lose 70lbs in a matter of months!" I have to remember
I am not those people. I have to own my own rate of weight loss and all the factors that go into it. And dangit, and the end of the day, I am *thrilled* to be 30lbs lighter than I was Jan 1st, wearing smaller clothes, in better shape than I ever have been.
2) What do you plan on doing this month to make sure 2008 goes out with a bang?
I will continue to exercise every other day, though running may be out for the next few weeks as whatever got messed up with my foot heals. I'm going to see what the stationary bike feels like. I am also not planning on having a huge Christmas meal, and any sweets I get will be allocated to my husband promptly.
3) What is the thing (are the things) you have learned that has been most important to your journey this year?
Patience - patience - patience.
Even when the scale says you're not making progress, you are. In some small way, every week, whether it's mental or physical, you are making progress. And if you stick with it, the scale will show it eventually. Also, don't take the scale too seriously. It is but one measure of our progress, and it's such a moody little thing. Periodically take stock of how you feel, how your clothes/rings feel, what your measurements are, how you are eating. Learn to see success in other ways.
4) What are your goals for 2009?
Well, my loftiest goal would be to make my weight loss goal, which is another 43lbs or so from here. It's possible, but I won't lose too much sleep if it doesn't happen, either. Maintaining my current loss and moving down further will be enough for me. Fitness goals include increasing my stamina while running so I can eventually run an actual 5k.
5) Do you have a plan for achieving your goals?
Consistency in sticking to plan and exercising - that's really the only way.
6) Do you foresee any obstacles between you and your goals? What can you do *now* to plan for tackling these obstacles?
I'm sure there will be obstacles. Any stressful period in life will throw off my eating and exercise if I don't learn to deal with it in another way. So that's basically my plan - actively seek out things I can do to relax and distract me from the stress eating impulse.
Now to hear from you all!