Decisions, Decisions... Featuring Alissa from 'The Goods Design'

First of all, thanks so much to Rebecca and Paula for inviting me to share my own big recent decision!

It's Alissa from The Goods Design here and my best decision lately has been going from couch potato to gym junkie. 

"I was never an athlete growing up. I played AYSO soccer for one year in 7th grade and never scored a goal. I almost did, until I realized everyone was yelling at me for running towards the other teams' goal (oopsie!) I didn't have a weight problem in high school, but like a lot of people, once I got to college I packed on the pounds very quickly (all-you-can-eat pasta bar? waffle maker? I was in heaven.) After college I settled back into a healthy weight, but considered carrying groceries or walking around the design center to get fabric samples my major workout for the week."

"I was feeling overloaded with stress last year (infertility, work, etc) and thought I'd give Soul Cycle a try (it's an indoor cycling work out here in LA, and in NYC and SF.) I was immediately hooked. I left the class feeling like I was floating, even though I was drenched in sweat and beet red. The combination of amazing music and inspiring instructors kept me coming back for more. But the nearest Soul Cycle is a 30 minute drive from my house, so I decided to join a local gym and start working out there as well."

"I'm so proud of how far I've come. I ran my first 5k last month, and hope to run a marathon before I turn 40 (so I've got 7 years to get that done!) I love working out because it just clears out my mind and relaxes me. It's also opened up so many more activities for me (like on our recent vacation to Mammoth Lakes I was able to do some tough hikes and lots of activities throughout the day, rather than just one and then being too pooped to pop.) My dad (who is in his 60's) runs marathons, and we've started running together on Sunday mornings, then getting brunch, which has been great. It goes to show that you don't have to let your past determine your present. I've never thought of myself as "athletic," but I'm doing it!"

Thank you!  Thank you! Thank you Alissa for sharing this with us!  You've inspired us to step up our workouts a bit, and maybe even get back into spinning!  Please keep us posted on your marathon training progress!

If you haven't seen Alissa's Blog, The Goods Design, you should check it out!  And to peruse some gorgeous photos of her interior design work, check out her firm's website here.  

So, what's the best decision you've made recently?  We'd love to hear from you!