2008 in review
It’s that time of year where everyone appears to be evaluating their efforts over the last year. I’m going to do the same!
1. Fitness.
I think I’ve exceeded all my fitness goals. At the beginning of 2008 I couldn’t run and my goal was to be able to run the quarter marathon at the Auckland Marathon in November. Well I ran the Half Marathon instead and am now regularly running in excess of 40 miles a week. A half marathon distance is just a Sunday run now. Not bad if I say so myself.
I’ve hit 1375 km for the year to date (850ish miles) and still have a run scheduled for the last day of the year tomorrow. The couch can kiss my proverbial!
2. Weight.
I’ve exceeded my expectations but I’m also a little disappointed with my weightloss progress. I’m well over 20 kilograms lighter than I was this time last year but I know I could have done a lot better. I haven’t really lost any weight since July and over the last few weeks I’ve regained a few kilograms while on holiday. The regain is annoying but I know I will lose those kilos rapidly so I’m not too bothered.
About July I hit a milestone that I never thought I would when I hit the 100 pounds lost mark. I felt good and got comfortable and let my eating habits slowly slip back into a more relaxed routine. I was maintaining fine up until December when I slipped into some bad habits again and have been pretty much overeating for most of it.
As such, I’ll chalk the weightloss as a victory but write in a ‘could do better’ comment on my grade card!
Overall I am tremendously pleased that I have managed to discover a love of running. Running has become part of my life now and I can’t go without exercise. I’m also extremely pleased that so many of my family and friends have taken it up as well. It’s brilliant!
I couldn’t have achieved what I achieved without the support of my wife. Thank you Darling!
I’m thinking about my goals for 2009 and will blog on them later this week. I want to have some realistic yet challenging goals so am giving them some serious thought.
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Well done love!
Twitter: dtsnake
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as always I adore that you and your wife seem to be such a TEAM.
so rare these days.
MizFits last blog post..If at first you dont succeed—QUIT!
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maximus
reply on December 30th, 2008 11:51 pm:
You`ve done really well Andrew, it is good to see someone following through their plan. So many of us give up while still on our journey.
maximuss last blog post..2009 is going to be great!!
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Good stuff man. I lost about 30 pounds last year (2007) and then kept most of it off since then. But, recently, I got about 5 pounds back. I’m determined to get to my original goal of 185 (45 pounds lost) by the end of 2009. Keep up the good work.
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You are an inspiration! I never even thought about running and now I can run 5k nonstop and am training for a marathon. So a big thank you to you for sharing your journey! I look forward to the day when I can announce I lost 100#, too!
Alexias last blog post..Biggest Loser Blog Edition final results! How’d I do?
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First, allow me to compliment you on the quality of your blog.
I really enjoy your informative and accessible style and t takes courage to document such a personal process. In a similar spirit, I maintain a health and fitness blog (http://yourspotter.wordpress.com) intended to provide easy to understand fitness and nutrition info for long term weightloss.
I feel my readers would benefit from your work and I would welcome the opportunity to swap links. Please feel free to check out my blog at and contact me for further details. Thanks again and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best,
Chris Kelly
The Spotter
http://yourspotter.wordpress.com
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I’m so impressed to see how far you have come in a year!! Here’s to another great year for you and your wife!!
suzannes last blog post..I went for a walk….
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Thanks for your comment on my blog, Andrew – it’s great to find yours. Sounds like we’re in similar phases of our running development, but you’re getting to run longer runs in MUCH more beautiful spots than me! Love the photos.
suzees last blog post..2008 Wrap Up
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I need to blog a wrapup myself.
Great job on the mileage this year. I can’t belive that you are running 40 miles a week. Wow!! You really pumped it up towards the end of the year.
You obviously know your own body, but you don’t look a bit pudgy. Remember sometimes it’s inches, not weight.
I know what you mean about falling into bad habits again. Holidays are such a tough time to maintain good eating habits.
Daves last blog post..Mini Vacation
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I’Ve lost about 15 lbs since September and also did my first 13.1 run. I’ve decided to train for a marathon in May 2009 and it’ll be nice to run for the sake of training instead of burning calories.
Keep up the good work, I’ll bookmark you and visit once in a while. I’m debating whether to start my own blog. LOL I’ve started a few fitness programs and it might help me stick to them and inspire others if post the progress.
Happy New Year and may you accomplish lots!
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My word. 40 miles a week. A half-marathon. Very nice!
It sounds like you’ve had a great year overall! Way to go.
Pauls last blog post..Ready or Not, Here Comes ’09
Twitter: weightasec
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Good work! You should set a challeging goal for the 10km run auckland series.
Aarons last blog post..A lake and two bridges
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The end of the year is definitely a defined point to relfect, but like you noted you had some milestones along the way (100lbs!!) that I’m sure gave you time to pause think about how great you’d done
Amandas last blog post..Like a hot poker in the eye
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20 kg’s lost in a year is fantastic Andrew. You should be so proud and must feel so much better as well.
Kristys last blog post..Things
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Great year with even greater things to come in 2009!
Twitter: runningbecause
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Wow. You’ve had an incredible year! Congrats on exceeding your goals, and looking forward to watching your progress through ’09! Happy New Year to you and yours
Melanies last blog post..I got my swag!
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Congrats Andrew
. You are very inspiring. I hope I’ll be able to run like you one day. Happy New Years.
Tonys last blog post..Holiday Cuisine, Asian Style
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Really awesome year Andrew, good luck to all of us in 2009!
John’s Weight Loss Blogs last blog post..Favorite Posts of 2008
Twitter: johnisfit
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An AMAZING year for you, Andrew! Well-played! I know that whatever goals you choose for 2009, you will put your whole heart into achieving them. (Except for some possible holiday lapses, which is at it should be. *G*)
Happy New Year!
Cammys last blog post..Back from Oblivion
Twitter: tippytoediet
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At the beginning of 2008, you could not run? What you have accomplished over the year is amazing. I am encouraged and highly motivated!
Thank you!
I am sure you and your wife will have a wonderful 2009. My best wishes to you.
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A truly remarkable year for you, Andrew. Congratulations.
Seems like this “almost there” weight thing is a bit contageous. How about we break through that wall together, eh?
Looking forward to an even more remarkable 2009.
Jeffs last blog post..Looking Forward, Looking Back
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Absolutely inspiring and an excellent foundation for 2009. You’re going to have a great year.
Steve v4.7s last blog post..(Day 577 / -154 lbs.) I do Believe I’m On The Eve of Disruption
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Sounds like a good year to me, especially the weight loss, even if you did slip a bit at the end of the year (I did, too). I’m still not to where half-marathons are a “stroll in the park” — maybe this year.
Bob Allens last blog post..Totally NRR: SUMO Paint
Twitter: allenkenya
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It sounds as if we started in similar places. When I first started running several years ago, I couldn’t even run a mile, and within 8 months had completed my first (and only) half marathon. You’ve progressed way beyond that, and should be proud of your results.
Its amazing to me how running can become so addictive. Before I started to run regularly, when I heard people talk about a “runners high,” I thought they must have been on drugs. Now I can understand it better.
Congragulations! Sounds like 2009 will be a great year for you.
Twitter: livefitblog
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