Happy New Year 2009

Happy New Year! Since I didn't really contemplate a particular resolution for the new year (other than my ongoing resolutions that continue year-round!), I guess I could select "blog more" as my resolution for 2009. I certainly can't do it much "less" so I am practically guaranteed success at carrying out my new resolution!

I had a wonderful Christmas. It was the first time in years (5 or more....) that my parents and sisters and I were all together for Christmas. It was lovely to have everyone together for the holiday. Cindy and Don visited from LA. My niece, Amber, made out like a bandit. I believe she now owns stock in Target if I'm not mistaken. Amber will turn four in March. Although she claims she wants to be a doctor when she grows up, Terri is convinced that Amber is going to become a personal trainer, as she already is leading us in exercise ball, hand weights, flex bands, and pilates routines. She even got her first exercise bike for Christmas! Now that Cindy and Don have a PS3, we can do our exercises with Aunt Cindy over the PS3 webcam hooked up to our TV. Looks like 2009 is going to be a fit year for the Messlers, Coles and Earlys!

Speaking of getting fit, I have maintained the weight I was at before moving cross-country this past August. I lost about 25 pounds after working with a personal trainer in Columbus, and when I moved I was half-way towards my goal of losing 50 pounds. Now that I am more settled and the holidays have passed, I am looking forward to tackling the rest of the remaining pounds. I joined Gold's Gym so I can have access to weights, cardio machines, exercises classes, etc. Having Cindy here for Christmas helped inspire me to get back into the routine of cooking delicious meals from Cooking Light. (Eating healthy, when done right, can definitely be delicious!!) Of course, I'm jealous that "in season" in California means something different than "in season" in Oregon...!

Also, as an early birthday present I received a GoWear Fit Armband, similar to the Body Buggs they use on the Biggest Loser reality weight-loss series. The multi-sensor armband measures and records several things including calories burned, physical activity, and steps taken, as well as sleep duration and efficiency. I just started using it today and have so far burned 754 calories and walked 2304 steps since waking up this morning. I can't wait to download the information to my computer and see what else the software can interpret for me. It definitely makes me want to run around the house so that I can see the increase in my rate of calories burned per minute. Can't wait to see how it reacts when I take it to the gym!

As another motivating factor, I am going to participate in a fitness challenge organized by someone my sister, Terri, works with. The initial assessment is January 11, and lasts six weeks. In addition to percentage of weight loss, it measures improvements in a wall-sit, plank, pushups, and one mile run. I am already anticipating the mile run will be my biggest improvement area--should be interesting!!!

Well, I guess I should stop here so I have something left to blog about next time. Today we are celebrating Terri's birthday. Right now everyone is having Panini sandwiches made with the new Panini press Cindy and Don gave our parents for Christmas. Or, as Amber says, "piano sandwiches." Whatever they are called, they are deeee-licious!

Happy New Year everyone!