Goals, Not Resolutions

Well, here we are in 2018!  Considering the last few years, I am very happy to be here, bringing in a new year.   A new year with new beginnings.  It always feels so hopeful.  So many possibilities.   Who doesn’t sit down and write out New Year’s Resolutions?   This girl, that is who!  For so many people, New Year’s resolutions usually turn into past year’s failures.    Here we are, three weeks into the New Year and I see post after post of people who are already giving up on their resolutions.

Now, that’s not to say that I don’t have things I want to achieve this year.  I do.   I have GOALS.   There is a difference.  When I write down my goals, I also map out what it will take to get me there.   I have big goals, which leads me to smaller goals to reach them.  Many times, I need to reverse engineer to figure out what needs to be done to get there.   I definitely celebrate my wins along the way.  That is very important!

This month I am celebrating a win.  For me it is a big win.  I’ve begun teaching fitness classes again.  Fitness has been such a big part of my life.  Yes, I got into it during the Jane Fonda workout gear legwarmer days.  Yes, I had the headband like Olivia Newton John wore in Physical!   I know, I know, I’m really dating myself here, but I don’t care!

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I wondered if I would ever teach classes again.  I really didn’t know if I would.  At the time, all I really focused on was completing my treatment regime.   I started to work out last spring, but it totally wiped me out and exhausted me, and not in a good way.  I also experienced lymphedema in my right arm, so I stopped.   I did walk my dogs, but that is about all that I did for exercise.  During this time, I researched exercises and other techniques to deal with my lymphedema and I went back to the gym in October.  I started slow, cardio a few days a week and weights twice a week, with very lightweights.  I did the stretches recommended and did a lymphatic drainage massage on my right arm after the work out.  I took it slow.

Finally, I was ready.  This month I started teaching again.  Cancer took many things from me and it feels good to feel like I am taking a few things back!