A few days ago, I wrote about my intent to post the things I do well, on a weekly basis, as part of my new Magnificent Mondays series. My thinking is that, while the number on the scale is still important to me and I still intend to track my weight and lose weight in 2013, I also want to focus on other things. Namely, becoming a healthier, happier person. For me, right now, it’s the challenges I take on and conquer that mean the most.

Challenging myself in 2013 may be in the form of running (I just signed up for the 3-mile Resolution Run at Red Mountain Park tomorrow — so I’m starting the year off right!) or taking a class or pushing myself to do #plankaday or increasing the number of push-ups I can do at a time. There are a lot of things I want to do — fitness-oriented and otherwise — that will help me feel more well-rounded, more self-assured.

After reading Javacia’s New Year’s post, and Tanya’s, I know I’m on the right track with this way of thinking. These ladies are both focusing on fitness, but they’re taking on some new ways of thinking. I love that Javacia quoted Mark Twain, who said: ”If you always do what you always did, you’ll always get what you always got.”

For me, becoming more fit, and more confident as a bonus, is the main goal that I’ve always had with my weigh-loss journey. Sometimes — many times — I get bogged down by the numbers on the scale and it puts me in either an excellent frame of mind, or makes me depressed. Though I still want to lose 50 lbs. this year, I want it to be as a result of eating well and moving more and pushing myself to do both. Not from becoming obsessive or depriving myself, which is how I believe I’ve failed in the past. I want to try new forms of exercise and cook new recipes. I want to try new foods (sushi … maybe? So scared.) and sweat until my clothes are soaked.

The best I have ever felt about myself is when I have accomplished something that was challenging. I felt like superwoman after finishing my first half marathon. I was exhausted, but grinning, after doing tons of burpees in a row. I was filled with pride when I graduated from grad school, and elated when I saw my name in print for the first time.

Pushing myself outside of my comfort zone — the whole reason I signed up for the Dirty Girl Mud Run — is scary, but extremely rewarding. I’m hoping 2013 will be full of new challenges, and the side effect will be a lighter, and more light-hearted, me!