What was the hardest personal goal you’ve set for yourself?

Physically, the hardest personal goal I have ever set for myself was training for a Tough Mudder. I didn’t accomplish the end goal of completing the event, but I did achieve a consistent 12 weeks of training. Which was rough.  Six workouts a week, with a seventh “rest” day of yoga or intense stretching. At the end of the 12 weeks I was able to do THREE dead hang pullups (ha!) and run 12 miles non-stop. At the time, it was the most physically fit I’d ever been in and I’m pretty proud of myself for not missing a single workout. 

The hardest mentally challenging goal I’ve ever set for myself is one I’m still tackling today – not drinking alcohol. I’m currently sitting at 2 years, 10 months, and 27 days or a whopping 1,061 days of no alcohol.  In a society that promotes drinking to relax, celebrate, mourn, let loose, participate… that’s pretty fucking impressive. I’m not going to go into the details of why I gave up alcohol, but if you are so inclined you can read about it here.

Listen, I’m not saying I’m never going to drink alcohol again. The finality of anything scares the shit out of me. Right now at this moment of time, however, not drinking serves a higher purpose. I will continue to work towards this goal, as long as I need to.

Every camping trip or ballgame that I feel like I’m missing out because I don’t have a beer in my hand, tells me that I still have work to do.

Every rough day of work that isn’t soothed by a lift session or a walk/run and where a glass of wine to decompress is the only thing that seems appealing, tells me that I still have work to do.

Each fancy date night where the initial thought is going for a straight up dirty vodka martini with three olives before dinner, tells me that I still have work to do.

Every time my mouth salivates thinking about a good bourbon, tells me that I still have work to do.

And I am okay with that. Goals are meant to be worked toward and achieved. 🙂