[Sushi Penguin]

Sometimes when I'm down and unhappy for a longer period of time, I arrive at a point where I make a list off all the good things, and that usually helps me gain perspective. I've been reflecting about the year gone by... it was a good one overall, but a few things didn't go well. It's entirely my fault, and although I do have some justification, I can't help but feel somewhat bad about it. So I've been trying to gain some perspective on 2005. I got an idea of starting this thread - what were your achievements, successes, things you're proud of in 2005?

For myself, it is mostly doing things I had been afraid to do or to try...

- bringing to fruition my wish to spend a year in Australia
- starting on, and having some success with, my weight loss quest (after over a year of feeling awful about myself and my body and putting on more and more pounds), which involved things such as starting to visit the gym regularly again, swimming again after 6-7 years, starting to run outside, going to Aquafit classes, something I had wanted to try for a long time
- self-development and learning new things: I enrolled in tennis classes (a wish of mine since I was 16), took an Ashtanga yoga course, progressed my figure skating skills and took a skills test
- after a few years of having a full driver's license but being too scared to even try to drive, I got behind the wheel - and in a foreign country with different road rules at that!
- learned to cook some of my favourite Thai dishes
- got a call centre job (not my career objective, but something I've wanted to try to learn how things work on the inside)
- recovered from a period of severe depression, went off anti-depressants and have been happy ever since
- all the wonderful times with my boyfriend, how our relationship deepened and how we got through difficult periods (there were a number of those in the first half of the year because of how awful I was feeling about myself)


That's all I can think of right now, but I'll probably add more later.

[LockItUp]

Great thread!!!! Hmmm, let's see:

- Lost 30 pounds
- Got engaged
- Decided to go back to school
- Over came my fears of being judged and changed my major to Nutrition
- Learned a lot about myself
- Started to trust and be able to love my little sister again after years of her having a severe substance abuse problem
- Decided to love myself again!

I am sure there's more, but those are the ones that come to mind. It's nice to reflect on accomplishmets when beginning a year with so many goals to try and acheive!

[yesitsmeagain]

Got a job lined up for after graduation.
Backpacked around Europe for 2 months by myself.
Made a new good friend (hey, good friends are few and far between!).

Things coming up for 2006...
Moving into my own apartment
Starting my career!

[fitgal2]

Hey great thread!

I beat leukemia!!!!!!
Found out who my real friends are and have eliminated the "toxic" ones
laughed more!!!

[trnsfrmnreplace]

wow fitgal2 that is incredible. I'm so happy for you.

[bearcatmo]

Let's see...
-Finally realized that in order to get through the tough times you can't do it by yourself, you need a little help
-Remodeled our house (feels good to be done)
-Realized that at our young age (25 & 27) my DH and I are more secure and stable than our older friends. Good feeling let me tell ya.

[mocha74]

Wow what a great thread. We definitely need to look at the positive side of things in 2005 instead of just the negatives. Sometimes that’s what we tend to do when a new year comes around because it’s all about improving on the bad things that happened the year before.

So here goes:

1. At the end of November I realized that I had forgot that I was in this weight loss journey for a life long change and not just a quick fix. I realized I had gained about 30 lbs. of the 60+ I had lost 2 years ago . So in November I recommitted myself to this lifestyle change and am ready to make a change once and for all. This was really tough for me because I had to face reality that I had worked so hard to get to 152 and then I screwed it up and got all the way up to 186 . So with the new commitment I only lost 2 lbs. total, but with the commitment thing starting in the holiday season I can be proud of that!

2. Actually realizing what great friends I have. I made these 4 great friends in the summer of ’03 and we have gone closer and closer as time goes by. It’s kind of strange that I am 25 and just now realizing what it means to have “true friends.” Yes I have had many friends but this is the first real time where I know my friends are genuine and love me for me and don’t judge me. Hmmm…I’m getting all teary eyed

3. Another big accomplishment is realizing the having a serious relationship isn’t easy LOL This year has been tough for me and my BF. I know a lot of it is because of the struggles that he is going through, but it has taken a toll on our relationship. We are starting to communicate better and not get so mad over the petty stuff.

4. Lastly, I’m proud to have created a new recruiting and interviewing program for our company. I did my first 8 hour training to 30 managers and was told it was the best training program that the company has had! I was so excited! We are rolling it company wide this year!!

[YP1]

I started running, and kept on doing it. I ran a proper 10k race in under an hour, which is something I never even dreamed of doing.

I became comfortable with who I am, which in turn helped me lose weight. I needed to accept myself first, rather than using my weight as an excuse for all the **** I used to put up with. Once I realised that using fat to hide away wasn't an acceptable coping mechanism and that I didn't need to be fat to protect myself the weight started falling off.

I started doing things I've meant to do for ages, like Spanish classes in the evening.

I became happier than I've been in a long time.

[Allensmom23]

Wow! This is really making me think!
I guess a lot of my acheivments started in 04 and were kind of ongoing so . . .
-overcame an alcohol problem
-married my dreamman
-had the most beautiful little boy in the world (but I'm biased!)
-learned that I have a slight spending problem and created a fixed budget
-lost 10 pounds in 3 weeks and started going back to the gym
-made a few good friends and lost a few that weren't really friends!
-started seeing a grief councelor after losing a baby (this is a big achievment, to realize that I needed help to deal with my loss)
-learned a lot about myself as a mother and a wife, and fell into that role where I want to be
-discovered that from a distance the grass may look greener, but when you actually get there its brown and mushy. (a friend told me this, and it's very true)
-grew up and matured, realizing that those things that were so important a year or two ago, mean very little now.

[AndreaHope]

Omg, you ladies are amazing!!!

*I ran my first 5K in 26 minutes
*Lost 25 more pounds
*Survived and thrived when my boyfriend went to Scotland to work for 6 months (he's back now!! )
*Achieved a 4.0 grade point average spring and fall semester of grad school
*Became financially free of my parents

This year I will graduate, begin my career as a guidance counselor, getting another cat, and move in with my boyfriend (hopefully fiance).

Life IS good, isn't it ladies?!

[miss michelle]

Aww what a great thread! Wow 2005 was a big year...

--Graduated from college! (Freshman year I was sure I would fail out!!)
--Moved into my own apartment in a big city
--Started a new job that I decently like and pays really well
--Lost ten pounds!
--Went to Europe for two weeks even though I didn't have a ton of money!
--Made an effort to see my friends and boyfriends that live outside of the city

[2frustrated]

Oooh ok!

Worked my a$$ off at college, and got myself a first class hons degree.

Moved house and started a new job within about 1 week of each other

Started to eat "clean" and lift free weights with a passion

Was offered a fast-track black belt course in kickboxing

started running seriously (couch to 5K) and consistently

Weight fluctuated but ended up about the same-ish, maybe 7lbs down

Next year I'm concentrating on the weight and more exercise, just more of everything and better!

[lateralus98]

Let's see... in 2005 I:

*got the job I had wanted for over a year

*got a new (used) car that is adorable

*started my 2nd year of college

*made the Dean's List

*lost 63 pounds

*matured by LEAPS and BOUNDS

*started becoming serious in my faith, and going to Mass every Sunday

*got accepted in a great college (for this fall) and got a scholarship there

*started to FEEL NORMAL!

[chaigirl]

Hey everyone! I think this thread is a great idea! Let's see, what did I accomplish in 2005?

• Got accepted to a top 25 Law School
• Survived my first semester of aforementioned law school
• Spent a summer of quality tie with my now 94 year old grandmother (though I would still like to spent more time with her)
• Went out dancing and actually enjoyed myself, something I haven't done in about four years.
• Resolved to get my weight under control once and for all!

Keep on Truckin!
Erin

[crk05]

Fitgal - that is wonderful!

Me:
Married my best friend on January 8
Set up our first home together
Made a lot of new friends through my church group
Strengthened my faith, matured emotionally and professionally
Got the "go ahead" from my PhD advisor to graduate August 2006
Took the LSAT and scored 99th percentile
Got in better physical shape through walking/WATP and Pilates
Lost 13 pounds on the South Beach Diet
Improved my cooking skills a LOT