I’ve seen some friends writing 2010 wrap-up posts and, well, it seems like a pretty damn good idea, so I’m going with it. Let’s take a look back on some of my big (no pun intended) moments of 2010.

Starting Losing It Without Losing Me

I really struggled with the idea of starting this li’l website. Did I want to share such private thoughts with the world? Strangers are one thing… but with people who know me? That’s scary.

I’m glad I did.

This blog has been a journey for me… in both losing myself (i.e. weight)… and searching for who I really am. It’s been a journey of self discovery and a sounding board for some of my most private thoughts. You have kept me accountable. And for that, I am eternally grateful.

In return, I will be re-starting Weigh-in Wednesdays next week, as my lack of keeping track has kept me from succeeding. We will find out just how much weight I really gained back this fall and I will likely blame it on injuries, when in all actuality, it was emotional eating. But I won’t mention that, of course, because that would mean taking the blame for the weight gain. Because why would I accept responsibility for shoving my face full of tasty foods?

Buying a suit and returning to the pool

I bought a swimming suit this year… for the first time in, well, a very, very long time. As a child, I absolutely LOVED the pool, beach, etc.

As I grew older (and fatter) I kept far away from anything having to do with donning a suit.

Also, posting this picture —> on the interwebs was a huge step in me getting over myself and accepting myself for who I am – right now – and not who I want to be.

Raising $6000+ for charity

Raising money for such an amazing organization like the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America has been a joy. I’ve met amazing people. I’ve made new friends. I’ve had amazing experiences. CCFA and Team Challenge provided me with a great support system and a pair of awesome coaches, without whom I could have never done what I did this year.

Plus, I got to dye my hair blue and orange which was pretty awesome.

Beep

Miss Beep is my precious fur-kid. She found me in June via Carrie. She’s been an amazing training partner – even run/walking almost 6 miles with me this fall - and I’m positive she could have gone further. She loves walks, runs and everything in between… even showing off her running skills for her brothers, Gizmo and Bandit.

Beepers has been quite the project for me. Coming from a puppy mill and then an obviously abusive home, she has a lot of issues, but we’re working on them and I hope some day she won’t be so scared of new people, loud noises or her crate.

It’s been a privilege to watch her personality emerge over the past 7 months. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for me and my li’l Beepers.

Training for, starting, and finishing a half marathon

For a non-runner, non-mover, non-active person like Amy circa January 2010, the thought of a half marathon was laughable.

Then, I walked 5.6 miles in just two hours – on a whim. If I could walk almost half the distance of a half marathon without training, surely I could do one with training, right?

So I joined Team Challenge and started training and raising money.

It was a long road, but I finished training, headed out to California and ran a half marathon.

I learned a lot of lessons and accomplished more than I ever thought I could. I was 250(ish) pounds and did a half marathon. I had friends and family worried I was getting in over my head but I proved them all wrong… and I proved to myself that with the right dedication and support, I can do whatever I put my mind to.

It also gave me hope that my goals for 2011 (post coming soon) are certainly attainable… I just have to be smart.