Camelback Mountain

So Long, Twenty Twelve

On New Year’s Eve, it only makes sense that I pause to reflect on the year and some of the awesome things that happened. I sifted through the 265 posts that I wrote this year to share with you my very favorite “No Thanks to Cake” moments of 2012.

NTTC Greatest Hits of 2012

The “little blog that could” grew leaps and bounds during 2012. Here’s a few of the highlights of what happened this year:

Extreme Makeover – Blog Edition: I moved NTTC from Blogger to self-hosted WordPress and worked with a graphic designer on its redesign. This was a fun, yet nerve-wrecking time. How do you choose the design for your blog that makes most sense? How do you design it in a way that will reflect the essence of your message. I think we ended up in a pretty good spot!

Does anyone remember this ol’ place?

Launched Several Regular Features: I launched my first regular feature on the blog called Workout Wednesday (AKA WOW.) The fact that I was working out enough to have content for this was awesome as well. I also started responding to reader email via “Email from Readers” features throughout the year, giving us all a way to interact a little bit more. Both of these features will be getting a fabulous facelift in 2013… and I think you’re going to like it!

Enhanced Social Networking Presence: I’ve become even more connected via social networking this year. This has been HUGE because I feel like it gives me another way to interact (and get to know!) you guys! So fun!

You can now connect with NTTC via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram… and who knows what will come next! Click any of the highlighted links to connect, if you haven’t already.

Attended Fitbloggin’: Attending Fitbloggin was one of the pivotal moments of 2012 for me personally and from a blog perspective. I got to meet so many new friends and bloggers through this experience and become a part of a fantastic community of men and women who inspire so many to be healthy every single day.

Won Some Awards (REALLY?): Well, award. NTTC was named amongst the 18 Best Weight Loss Blogs of 2012 by Healthline.com. But, NTTC was also nominated for Best Weight Loss Blog by Fitness Magazine, and featured on Diets in Review for keeping my weight loss resolution. So crazy to think all of this happened this year, too!

My Favorite Posts of 2012

I’m going to channel Friends on this one, as I pick the most appropriate categories my favorite posts of 2012. These are just the posts that I liked writing and love going back to read… hopefully, they are a few of your faves too!

The Ones Reminding Me of How Far I’ve Come: These are always some of my faves. Here’s a few to check out that include pictures over the year: 730 Days Later, Reflecting on this Journey and Unexpected Recognition, Independence Day, and Travel Companions.

The Ones Where I Went On and On about Fitbloggin: I love all of my Fitbloggin recaps because it was such a POWERFUL three days in Baltimore, but What I Brought Home from Fitbloggin really is my favorite. I also love the post where I completely geeked out on Zumba.

The Ones Where I Recapped My Best Friend’s Wedding: One of my most emotional pieces of the year, I love the post where I wrote a letter to Angela and Jamie after their wedding weekend. Love you two!

The Ones Where I Talk about My Other BFF Kelly Clarkson: I saw Kelly in concert not once, but TWICE this year! And, yes… you got to hear about the Denver AND Nashville concerts here. Expect more of this in 2013, unless I’m too busy attending to my bridesmaid duties (She is engaged, afterall!)

The Ones Where I Try New Workouts: Can you believe that all of these were new to me this year? Candelight Yoga, Zumba, Pilates and… let’s not forget my introductions to Lululemon and Athleta (love!) where I now shop for my favorite workout gear! I also loved telling you guys about my first Turkey Trot and my first trek up Camelback Mountain.

The One Where There Really Aren’t Words: There have been many moments throughout this journey where I’ve been overwhelmed by kind words. Simply Grateful is one where I describe how it feels, as best I can.

The One Where I Realized How Much I Loved Cooking: I had quite a few awesome cooking moments this year (and MANY new recipe successes at home.) I absolutely LOVED touring McCormick and learning about all of their spices and seasonings and the health benefits they provide. Visiting the Gourmet Spoon Cooking School as part of a team builder for work also topped the list! My at-home wine and cheese party was also incredibly fun to put together and write about!

The Ones Where I Crack Myself Up: Interesting that both have to do with fart noises, but re-reading Yoga Laughs and the story about The Faux Fart cracked me up tonight.

The One Where I Shot a Video: I can’t believe I did it, but I recorded my very first Vlog (video blog) this year. Click here to see it in all its glory. There may be more of these in the new year (since there’s been some demand)

Wow… to think that all happened in one year! It was an awesome trip down memory lane, for sure. I feel healthier, stronger, more active, and more thankful than ever before.

On this eve of the new year, I encourage you too to think about all the great things that happened in 2012. We will be turning the page to 2013 in just mere hours… Fasten your seatbelt, it’s going to be another amazing year!

What were your favorite NTTC posts of 2012? Which ones stand out as your faves?

Jenny Craig Volumizing: Tomatillo Chicken Stuffed Peppers

Smoky Maple Brussels Sprouts

Valentine's Day M&M Blondies

WOW: Hiking Camelback {AKA December in the Desert: Part Two}

Welcome to the Workout Wednesday post, that was supposed to be on Thursday, that ended up being on Friday.

While most of my posts are geared at recapping a story, sharing a breakthrough, or motivating others…. today’s post is really for me. To remind me of why I like to workout and to get me back in the gym.

This weekend at Montelucia, we had an amazing time lounging on property, relaxing in the spa, and enjoying our favorite cocktails. What I haven’t shared with you yet is that we also worked out every single day!

Donna and I have a very different workout approach.

Donna is more SPORTY than I could ever be. She does bootcamp several times a week, enjoys running, plays soccer, and is competitive with her workouts.

As for me, I prefer yoga, cardio activity like treadmill or elliptical, group classes like Pilates or Spin, and an occasional Zumba class.

Very contrasting in our approach, Donna has also worked out consistently most of her life… where I’m still getting my feet wet. As a result, I lean on her experience from time to time.

For the past several years, she has been heading off to tackle Camelback Mountain when we are at Montelucia. In the early years, I would simply sleep late. Over the past few years, I’ve opted for yoga or treadmill time. This trip, I decided to see this mountain that she’s been talking so much about up close and personal.

True Story: This was the first time I’d ever walked off the property. And, it felt like a completely different world… I took quite a few pictures along the way. There were beautiful cacti and interesting decorations as you can see….

We walked about 4 blocks to get to the base of the mountain, and entered the trails at Echo Canyon Park.

There were a ton of people out on the trails by the time we arrived. It was possibly 9am by the time we got there, and I’d definitely say that if you were hiking here in the summer you’d have to get there MUCH earlier so as to not fry yourself in the sun.

The cooler December weather and the shaded path made 9am the perfect time for us to be on the mountain. When I saw international travelers on the mountain, I knew that they had the right idea in shielding the sun and wished I had applied sunscreen before I left the room.

Just the same, we had a huge trek in front of us… there was no time to go back. Much of the path was created with stairs. Many stairs that went up… and then many that went down. Some stairs formed by rocks, and others by beams. My legs were going to be WORKING on this hike.

We made the decision that we would climb about half way up the mountain during this (my first) trip up Camelback. It was such a gorgeous walk… even if I was whining a bit of the way.

About halfway to our destination, this girl needed to take a breather. As you know, the higher you get in altitude the more challenging breathing can become. Even though I live way about sea level (6200 ft. to be exact), these stairs kicked my behind!

Can you believe I climbed up all of this??

This is where we decided to pause. The sun was very bright, so it’s hard to see how the rest of this climb looked. It was DEFINITELY a CLIMB.

Beginning at this point, you would have to literally pull yourself up and rock climb up this steep hill. Hmmm… that’s a little much for this girl. I wanted to see it, but easily made the decision to turn back at this point.

What’s interesting about the way down is that it’s just as treacherous and exhausting as the way up! You have to watch your steps and be careful not to slip on the rocks. I even used the fence a little bit when I got nervous about the downward climb. The last thing I needed to do was fall.

We decided to take one more trail before heading to the base. We spotted a sign for Bobby’s Rock which is situated near a cool canyon and we decided to check it out!

When we finally got to the bottom of the mountain, my legs were super tired. I noticed that I overcompensated a little with my right leg… which I knew I would pay for in the next few days, but the hike was SO worth it.

I had once again done something that I never had done before… and tackled a new obstacle that was in front of me. Maybe next time, I’ll climb to the top, but for now… I’m super happy with my arrival to our halfway point.

A NTTC Feature on Diets In Review.com

Travel Companions

#PHXLASMCI: Kansas City - Part II