Happy New Year!

I know that it is quite cliche to write a post on my training blog on New Year's Day.  Doesn't everyone think she is going to kick ass from here on out starting on this momentous day?  Sure she does!

I do!

I have been working with Amy since October and have adopted some very good habits.  I've been on the wagon and off.  Now I need to get serious.  Some of the things I know trip my up and cause me to falter:

• Stress - when I have too much going on in my life I stress eat.  I mean, I stress eat as if I am getting paid to stuff food in my mouth and my goal is a million dollars.
• Too many work dinners and functions - and none of them has healthy options, really.  I suppose I don't need to eat the appetizers and have a drink from the bar, but when in Rome....
• Negative thinking - well, I've eaten that bag of chips and not worked out today so I should throw the whole week away and start again next Monday.  And it's only Monday now.

I have many others but we don't need to dwell on them.  One thing I've learned (thank you, Amy), is that I need to have an answer to my negative talk.  Amy also suggested I name my negative self-talk so I did - Lance Armstrong.   Solutions to Lance's naysaying?

• Stress - don't eat.  Sit and meditate.  Think about all the good things that are happening and then think about how I might combat stress and prevent it from happening in the future.  Ask myself "Am I hungry or just stressed?"  I usually know the answer and it isn't bbq potato chips.
• Too many work dinners and functions - don't go to the bar and don't eat the appetizers.  Also, stay away from the dessert.  If it isn't really, really good, it isn't worth the calories.
• Negative thinking - I fell off the wagon.  So?  Get back on it right away!

It was also suggested that I name my positive thinking self-talk so I did - Betty White.  And she should kick Lance's ass every time!

Rather than recap the last few months (I was going to write in this blog about it, but that didn't happen as we can see (Lance), I am going to start fresh (Betty).

What did I do today?  It is a lovely day on the farm.  The snow is falling softly and it isn't too, too cold. My husband and I hitched up the dogs and headed up the hill.  Below are some photos from the adventure.

This is a view of our barn and backyard (to the left).  How do you not walk when this is what you see?  As a note, there were deer and fox tracks on the hill.

View of the barn from farther up the hill.

View from closer to the top of our property.  On a clearer day, you can see the valley in a better way.  I wouldn't trade the snowfall on this day for the clear view.  I'll get that for you later.