It's that time of year again, the time of grand, life-altering pronouncements known collectively as resolutions.
I've known this time well over the years.
Nearly every single year during my 20s and most of my 30s, my resolutions always included the following:
eat better
exercise better
quit smoking
I didn't manage to quitting smoking until I turned 40, and the whole Move More, Eat Well part? It followed in my 43rd year.
But let me tell you something about resolutions: I don't buy 'em.
To me, resolutions are things we set up in our minds that we want to be really firm in our commitment to, but then when we miss the mark, they seem to encourage us to give up somehow. They whisper in our ears, "It's okay… you gave it your best shot… you can't really make this change happen."
There's a crash-and-burn factor that is all to familiar when making resolutions. It's that all or nothing mentality. If you miss the mark, somehow, the journey ends.
I think a much more revolutionary thing to do when you're setting out to make changes is to work more on your attitude, an attitude that says: Guess what? I'm not perfect, but I'm going to keep showing up and trying.
The past 12 months have not been a success for me, if you're only measuring my worth in weight. Yes, I put on 12 pounds since January 1st. But I also kept exercising and I worked really hard in my personal life to make changes that made me a much more loving and loveable person. In short: I put a lot of effort into living the best life possible and to me, that's really what this whole self-care revolution is all about.
How can you connect to your life and give yourself the time and care that is needed?
That, my friends, is really at the core of Move More, Eat Well 2.0. This class isn't a competition to Skinnyville. It's simply a way to document how your care for yourself and to understand your successes and failures along the way.
Failure isn't a term I shy away from anymore because what may initially seem like a negative is really a positive. It all depends on how you look at it. I've learned, and continue to learn, that my perceived failures are really just opportunities for growth and understanding.
And then, I just continue to keep showing up.
I recorded a short video from my basement—a Treadmill Talk, if you will—to invite you to consider joining me for a year of Moving More and Eating Well.
I'm not a personal trainer or a licensed nutritionist. I do not have a secret revelation that will make this process easier. But I'm here, knee deep in the hoopla of showing up and trying to make small changes that add up to better health and overall fitness.
An Invitation to Move More & Eat Well, The Treadmill Talk Series from Cathy Zielske on Vimeo.
To learn more about Move More, Eat Well 2.0 click here.
I'd love to see you in class on January 1st. But if you're not ready then, no problem. I'll be there all year long.
Kendra B says
I’m signed up and ready to go!! I like that you mentioned attitude in this post. This is my year for a new attitude. I have spent most of my adult life in the land of Self-Sabotage. Not a great place to be, but for whatever reason that has been how I operate. For the past couple weeks I’ve been reading a lot about how to break that habit/cycle because I don’t want to live there anymore! I know its not going to be easy and I will probably have set-backs, so I also like what you said about failure. You always inspire me 🙂
mary says
Sounds like your past year has been your most insightful to date, Cathy. Your posts reflect the outer change, via your weight loss successes, but the real change has been evident to me (and your many blog followers) in what’s happened inside.
Like so many others, i come to your blog daily to see honesty, authenticity, real-life struggles and successes. And i come to laugh and forget my own issues many days.
For what’s it worth, 2012 has been a damn good year, Zielske!
Christie says
I also ate my way thru December…completed my pre-class assignments yesterday and I’m ready to get this party started!
Thanks for keeping it real, Cathy!
Theresa says
I’m all signed up!!! Can’t wait to get started. So flipping excited about this!! Off to get the assignments done.
Theresa says
I meant to ask.. What colour of album are you using?
Thank you so much for this awesome class!!
cathy says
Theresa, Im starting with Mustard, but I think I will dabble in all four color schemes throughout the year!
Yulia W says
Cathy, you are amazing and very inspiring person. I took your MMEB class this year and you helped me to stay focused and get a very new outlook on so many things. I reached my weight goal and got so much more in the process! Thank you so much for sharing your journey and inspire others.
Susan says
I’m there Cathy!!!! Listening to your video I cried. Because I realized at that second that I do see myself differently. So much good has come from this class. Besides losing 20 pounds it is my outlook about the losing weight, about moving more, and eating better. I have alot of weight to lose but over the past 12 months I’ve found that place where it isn’t daunting. I get it that it is going to take along time. And in the process not only have I lost weight but my self-esteem or whatever boosted, grown, with the certainty that I will, I have seen a light at the end of the tunnel. Even my 4 month knee injury (now I can walk without limping – although still painful) hasn’t stopped my outlook. Thanks. And looking forward to a successful 2.0
Linda says
I signed up a few weeks ago and looking forward to my first time in your class! love the treadmill video and am there with you. I can do this 🙂
cathy says
This just makes me smile. Good for you, Susan! : )
cathy says
Yes, you can! : ) See you in January! so to speak!
Theresa says
Thanks so much for the quick reply! Are you using a black album then? I think I’ll go with the mustard theme!! Love that look. I have never taken an online class before. And I got Photoshop elements for Christmas this year. Something else new for me!! I see myself visiting your blog for tips on that as well!! (I know you have posted many videos about that program on here.) I’m so excited for 2013! It’s going to be a great year!
cathy says
Im using a yellowish We R Memory Keepers album, 3-ring binger. : )
Just so you know, you dont need to have PSE to do this class. : ) But, you can use the layered PSD files to print your journaling on. If you need any help i am here to help!
Steph says
OMG, I just love you!!!
Awesome.
=)
Cheers,
Steph
sallyjh says
Haha….I too have eaten my way through December….just need to get through a family meal on Saturday and New Years meal and then I can start to look at the healthy stuff! I am soooooo ready.
Am in the middle of my pre class assignments. Can’t wait!
Joan says
Love the video. I was a very quiet participant last year. While I didn’t see huge number decreases, I saw a huge change in my attitude. I just found out that I have borderline high sugar levels and with diabetes in my family, I need to make serious changes now. I joined a gym in November and now I’m on board for 2013. I plan to be a more active participant in the class. Thanks for keeping it real!!!
Pat says
I’m signed up and ready to go. For the first time ever, I have agreed to have a weekly weigh in with my personal trainer and monthly measurements. This is huge for me – letting someone else actually see these numbers brings it all out into the open. No more hiding. Lots more accountability. Honestly, I’m scared. And excited. And hoping self-sabotage won’t rear its ugly head again.
Most of all, I’m looking forward to a fresh start. See ya on the message boards, Cathy and other MMEW 2.0 -ers.
Kropster says
Well, frankly I was hoping for a quick trip to Skinnyville!! But I will be on the MMEW 2013 bandwagon and plan to do a much better job staying tuned it than I did in 2012. I think I do a good job overall in the “taking care of me” arena, but the extra poundage is making me very uncomfortable these days and I know I can’t be the best me with all this flab.
A group of friends is going to do a Biggest Loser type competition and for me “facing the scale” each week with witnesses will be a good thing. I’m a healthy eater, I just need to slash the portions.
Glad to be along for the ride with you Cathy.
Myra says
I’m in! Signed up, finished the pre-class assignments and ready to roll! May the force be with me!
mel says
I think this is just what I need. I lost 70 pounds in 2011 and then put 40 pounds back on in 2012. Obviously I didn’t do the mental work to keep the weight off, I am much more interested in what is going on in the inside of me than the outside and I think this might be a way for me to do it whilst finding a nice weight for me to maintain.
I am also glad to be joining in this journey with you and everyone else in the class
cathy says
Sounds great, Joan!
cathy says
See you back in class for sure! : )
cathy says
Indeed! Welcome to class!
cathy says
Its so much a mental game at times. It sure is for me! See you in class!
Jessica Flynn says
Cathy, I’ve tried to email you at czdesign@comcast.net. Tony from Timber Wolf Crossfit has also. Have you received either of our messages? Could you check your Trash or Spam folder and let us know? 🙂
Thanks!
Jessica in Utah
cathy says
Hey Jessica, there is nothing in my email from you or Tony. Not in my trash or spam folder. Hmmm. Not sure how that would happen. Try again maybe? : )
kelly sill says
I’m looking so forward to this year-long journey! Ivebeen working out with a trainer(she’s awesome) and some other friends (they rock) for over a year now. In addition to our workouts we had “Group Lifestyle & Weight Management” meetings every other week. But because of scheduling conflicts, it was hard to continue them. I miss those meetings so much! We would share our ups and downs, swap recipes, give ourselves weekly challenges-it was great! I feel like this will be a group that I can get a lot of support from and share things that have helped me, too! Can’t wait to get started!
Denise says
Hi Cathy,
I must be from the dark ages, cause I never figured out how to use the class last year. I’m hoping that you can direct me to some sort of explination of how on-line classes work.
Your authenticity is refreshing and encouraging!
Thanks,
Denise
Jennifer Cardwell says
All signed up…will see you there! Can’t wait!
Who says you can’t have a prize?! How about a certificate saying well done now let’s continue the journey?… to me that is a prize. No one said it had to be all fancy or worth monetary value of any kind. Just recognize yourself for doing your best, even if you fell of the wagon a few times, as long as you came back to it.
Just my thoughts. See you on the message boards!
cathy says
Hey Denise, we have a very extensive FAQ than answers a lot of questions about online classes here:http://www.bigpictureclasses.com/faq.php
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions!
Bec Kilgore says
I will sign up as soon as I have the dinero. I don’t post much to the board but I love being a part of it.
Kathy says
I signed up last night. Believe it or not I’m most worried about all the journaling, not the moving more and eating well. I don’t think I’m a very good writer but I’m still looking forward to this project. I’m hoping it will keep me motivated. I’ve actually started moving more and eating well in September. So far so good.
cathy says
Kathy, you do NOT have to be a writer to document the story. Honestly, its mostly just a place to put down how the process is going for you personally. It is designed for you, and only you! : ) Glad to have you on board.
Jessica Flynn says
Oh snap! I’m wondering why our emails are not getting to you? I sent mine on Dec 7 and he on Dec 12. I just re-sent mine. Could you check and see if it arrived? Maybe you could send me an email at jessica at treehousei dot com and see if that arrives. I’m so sorry about this but it’s exciting stuff so I hope you’re okay with a little investigative work to figure it out. 🙂
Jessica in Utah
Tracy Smith says
I just signed up for this – can’t wait to get started!
cindy b says
Stupid question here… is there a discount if you’ve taken this class before??
cathy says
Not a stupid question! There is not, because the year-long class is priced at just $36. : )
Karen Thomas says
Hi Cathy, I’m planning on doing your course, but I’ve decided I’m really good at two thing – eating and spending money. I was wondering if we could change the title of the course to Move More, Eat Well and Spend Less? Just a thought . . . .
cathy says
Ha! I hear you there. : ) Welcome to the workshop!