I love November 1^st. It didn't used to mean anything special to me except the start of a long, gray season in Ohio. But now it's something more. It is my own personal fitness challenge.

For me, November through February is the most difficult time of year to stay consistent with my training. I am an outdoor girl but I don't like the cold so many of my workouts move inside. That's not a problem except that these workouts are located somewhere other than my house, and I like to hibernate a bit in the winter where it's warm and cozy, so that means going out when I don't feel like it. I remember last year leaving the house at 5:45 for my 6:00 AM spinning class twice a week; very challenging when it's ten degrees and snowy.

It is also a busy time of year. There is just something about the holidays that can send our schedules into overdrive. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years - all within 62 days! It is easy to let exercise be the thing that gets knocked off the schedule first. All the great things we've put in place to be organized, mindful eaters can be pushed aside. Sleep gets sacrificed and we all end up feeling overwhelmed and stressed.

And of course it is the food time of year. Goodbye summer with your wonderful salads and fresh fruit. Hello Halloween candy, mashed potatoes and gravy, holiday hors d'oeuvres, chips and dip, cheese, pie, Christmas cookies, ham, comfort food...it's really difficult not to gain weight. It is even more difficult to continue to lose weight. Food is the central theme, high calorie food is everywhere, and desserts are part of the celebration.

So why would a woman like me, a woman with food issues, like this time of year? So I can suffer? So I can eat all I want and gain six or seven pounds? No way, I know better. I'm not doing that ever again! I did that year after year for long enough. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. I'll never do it again! (Just writing that gets my fire going.) I will never, EVER wake up on January 2^nd full of self hatred and sadness because I feel awful about myself. I have made a promise to myself to never do that again.

What I will do is get focused. Laser-focused. I will put all the strategies in place that I know have worked for me in the past. I'll write my food down. I'll stay mindful of the calorie content of the foods I am eating. I will schedule my workouts in my appointment book every week and keep those appointments. I will join classes to keep myself accountable. I will state my intentions to someone who is willing to help me stay on track. I will remember my running streak lesson (remember that?)- that even ten minutes of exercise is enough to feel "I did it!" all day long. I will not abandon my healthy eating habits even though I may overeat at a get together. I'll remember that I do this to feel good about myself.  I'll get up early to find the time. I'll identify a goal that will help keep me motivated. And I'll visualize over and over how I want to feel on the morning of January 2^nd.  I'll keep that promise to myself.

I'm not perfect but I can do this. I am not alone. I have support. I am strong. I can conquer. I believe!  And so can you. Now get moving.