Feeling Optimistic?
As 2014 comes to a close, I’m feeling optimistic for the future. Gas is at a four year low, the Dow is at a record high and Americans collectively expressed their support for free speech by seeing The Interview. This Christmas I saw more lights up than I have in the past five years and, well, it feels like things are getting back to normal again.
I wish I felt more optimistic about the book trailer I’m making for She’s Losing It.
Sadly, my cell phone videos taken last weekend look ok for goofing around on YouTube, but not really right for the book I’m marketing. But I won’t give up; I’ll just use still photos and voice overs instead of the videos. Which is sort of a bummer, since that random kid from my gym was nice enough to do the video for me, and it looks like his work (and mine) is going to end up on the editing floor. *Sigh*
I’ll tell you what I would like to edit though: the past six months. My mother’s cancer has just hit her so hard. She goes for chemo tomorrow, an appropriate way to end a really tough year. The good news about the maintenance chemo she’s on is that she gets a steroid with it, so she’ll be feeling really good tomorrow night. (I told her that she should lift weights with me on that day, but as she is 76 she declined, even with steroids in her system.) We’re taking her out for a nice steak dinner for New Year’s Eve. She won’t eat more than a bite, but my hope is that by going to a restaurant she will feel more like her old self; more normal.
Happily, I’m beginning to feel more like my old self too, because I’m starting to work on my New Year’s Resolutions. There is something wonderful about setting up new challenges for yourself. Speaking of goal setting, here’s how I did on my December goals and overall 2014 New Year’s Resolutions:
Status of December Goals
1. Cardio every Monday and Wednesday. Status: Score! My friend Kim from 24 Hour Fitness and I met consistently each week before Christmas. Once the kids came home from school our schedules got a little goofy, but now I’ve been doing cardio with my brother pretty much every day while he’s in town. Let’s hear it for cardio buddies!
2. Plan my cheat meals. Status: I did it! My very high-brow culinary tastes included wanting pigs-in-blankets and chocolate chip cookies for Christmas Eve. After my cravings were satisfied, I was back to eating spinach and chicken the next day.
3. Give stuff to charity. Status: Done!
Status of 2014 New Year’s Resolutions
1. Enter a fitness competition. Status: Yes, I did enter a fitness competition…however, my mom went into the hospital 2 1/2 weeks before the show did, so I never went on stage, which is probably a blessing in disguise because a gymnast I am not. But I did have a lot of fun preparing for it.
2. Enter a pole dance competition. Status: Hells, yeah! Not to brag, but I got no, game move like a robot, and the last time I danced on stage was when I was 10 years old, so this was a completely off-the-wall challenge I decided to do for my 40th birthday. And I won 2nd place in the Novice division (for people who have never pole danced before.) The choreography was done by the fabulous Serena Hicks of BonBonBarre Studios. Here’s a video:
3. Do stand up comedy at an open mic amateur night. Status: No. I wasn’t feeling very funny this year. But I still want to do this in the future.
Bonus Resolution: Complete a Spartan Race. (This was a 2013 New Year’s Resolution that I totally chickened out on.) Status: Done! Better late than never! I scaled walls, crawled through mud and jumped over fire. And I know for sure that I’m going to do it again. Also – I’m working with the promoter to do a giveaway this year so one of you guys can do the race for free! (More to come about this…)
How about you? How did you do on your 2014 Resolutions?
Lisa 
Lisa Traugott is a Mom’s Choice Award winning writer, fitness blogger, wife and mom of two. You can read more about her in her new book, “She’s Losing It!” available at Amazon.com.
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