1) Above all, I am thankful for my health. It has been an UP and DOOOOWN experience but one of learning balance and control. I'm thankful that I'm headed into year THREE of consistent movin' and shakin' and it doesn't seem like it's stopping any time soon. I'm grateful I've never wanted to give up entirely - even with the going has gotten really, really tough. What a great feeling...
This year alone I have been able to:
- Run three 1/2 marathons (OC half, US half in SF and Temecula Wine Country half)
- Joined a new gym - continuously working to keep things interesting, and focusing a LOT on nutrition (as hard as that is for me, I am GOING to conquer this)
- Completed 70 FULL PSYCLE classes and did their monthly check-in challenge for my free hoodie as well as the FP Race for the Cure event (dude...the people at that studio are what keeps me going! Thankful for all of you...)
- Took 195 PURE BARRE CLASSES (including one in Chicago and one in Phoenix --- this stat just makes me giddy)
- Did a "Gladiator 10K" and ran through mud (YUCK! Not sure about doing this again....)
- Ran the Rocky Steps in Philly (Boom! So awesome)
- Completed and entire month of WHOLE 30 (probably the hardest thing I did all year but my roommate Diane definitely saw some changes...right Diane? hah)
- Joined an inter-mural soccer league (and while I wasn't that good...I tried hard every game)
- Completed a 5K fun run with my sisters while my sister was 8 months pregnant (go Dana!)
- Hiked Camel Back Mountain solo (one of the coolest hikes I've ever done and a very necessary experience for me)
2) I am also thankful for the health of my family and friends. This year my family learned of my mom being diagnosed with breast cancer. It was shock to us all. Luckily, her diagnosis was deemed stage 0 and after a biopsy, followed by a very intrusive surgery and 5 weeks of radiation (which she is starting after the Thanksgiving holiday) she should be cleared. It's moments like these that make me reflect on how lucky I am to have a strong independent mother who fights day in and day out (through MANY ailments) to make sure she's there for me and to be present for the things I have yet to accomplish in life.
In addition, I am thankful for the health of my family. I'm thankful for the health of my newest member of my family - my niece Vivian. She is beautiful and was made with a lot of In-vitro love and determination...she's such a blessing and I can tell she makes my sister very happy.
3) I am thankful for my tan. Yea, I said it - but I hate being white and pasty and my dad blessed me with olive skin tone...for this, I am grateful. HAH! This I guess goes along with me being thankful I live in California. I am always cold and I feel like I would be cold ALL the time anywhere else. I really got to experience a true "California summer" this year and while I used to want to run away to other places - I can, for one of the first times, say I'm really happy to be where I am.
5) I am thankful for new relationships I've gained this year, and old ones that were no good that I've lost. It's amazing how quickly someone become such an important part of your life. In addition, I'm thankful this someone is ACTIVE! Thank. GOD! :) I feel very lucky to be where I am now and I couldn't imagine it any other way.
6) I'm thankful for COCONUT. I love it in all forms: fresh, juice, oil, spray...if it wasn't for coconut my cooking year may have been a bit different. Sure there is always EVOO, but dude - I'm koo koo for COCONUT! I am also thankful for my cooking/kitchen! I LOVE trying new things and having EXTRA motivation in the kitchen. No half-assing and (even if it is a total fail) just attempting new recipes! Lastly, and piggy backing on my love for coconut - I'm also thankful I kicked my trail mix addiction. This was a little worrisome for a moment but it's been a month and a half and I'd like to report, I'm trail mix free! ;)
6) Lastly, I'm thankful for this blog - and anyone reading it. I am unsure of who reads this, and gains any motivation from it whatsoever but I just received my 10,000th unique view recently, which is something I wouldn't have dreamed of in January 2013. It might be a drop in the bucket for some blogs but it's a big accomplishment for someone who was tired all the time, weighed over a buck 80 and just wanting a change.
While the posts have been less frequent in the past couple months - it ALWAYS keeps me looking for new, interesting and different sources of content. "Jenistrayning" is a fun outlet and a great place to store thoughts. I've actually reflected back my words and photos in my times of needing an extra push. I hope you enjoy as much as I do and overall get some motivation to get outside and move and shake. New Years resolution: more posts! more recipes! more photos! ... oh...and I also want to grow my own tomatoes.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Hug some family members tomorrow...and eat pie! :)
