“If you hang out with chickens, you’re going to cluck, and if you hang out with eagles, you’re going to fly.”

These are the wise words of Dr. Steve Maraboli, bestselling author and behavioral science academic. His wisdom has gotten me thinking a lot about the power of accountability. When we surround ourselves with an uplifting community and a supportive person (or people) who will help us reach our goals, together, we all can fly. I don’t know about you, but I want to be an eagle and I want us to all fly together.

Earlier this week, I was reading an article about accountability that said change happens in dedicated communities where people come together to support and keep each other accountable to reach their goals. Things aren’t always easy on our own, but when we work together to celebrate small victories and overcome everyday challenges, we make progress toward being our best selves.

In other words, I’m here to be your accountabilibuddy – your unladylike buddy who will help keep you accountable for dreaming big, creating a plan, taking actions everyday and believing in yourself … and seeing your goals through to the finish line. No matter whether you’re just starting out on your fitness journey or are a seasoned endurance athlete, we all need an accountabilibuddy. As I’ve taken on some new goals for 2015, I’ve realized that my mom and my training partners have been invaluable buddies on my journey to be my best self. Now it’s my turn to return the favor.

Every week, I am going to start posting a week-in-review link-up. Here’s what you can expect:

• I will share with you my weekly training recap so you can see how I’m taking action and making progress against my 2015 goals of staying in half marathon shape, getting stronger, eating clean and helping others. I will share one thing I’m most proud of from the week and the one pitfall that challenged me the most (and what I plan to do about it).
• At the end of every week-in-review post, there will be a place for you to share a link to your post that includes your week-in-review for others to come and cheer you on or offer you help. I encourage you to celebrate the one victory you’re most proud of and admit to the one challenge that you are going to work on the following week.

We are a community and we’re in this together. Big changes don’t happen overnight, but a series of small changes and consistent behaviors over time lead to big breakthroughs.

Without further ado, here is the first installment of my week-in-review link-up

Getting Sweaty and Stronger

My fitness goals for 2015 center around consistently staying in half marathon shape year-round (20-30 miles of running per week and long runs of 8-11 miles) and getting stronger (2-3 strength training and cross training workouts each week). Here’s what last week’s training looked like:

• Monday: Ran 3 easy progression miles in the morning followed by a 30-minute Jillian Michaels strength training session; ended the day with 75 minutes of restorative, deep stretch yoga
• Tuesday: 30-minutes of Jillian Michaels strength training followed by a 60-minute sports massage
• Wednesday: Ran 5.14 easy miles along the snowy Chicago lakefront
• Thursday: Ran 3.35 easy miles on my hotel treadmill while traveling
• Friday: 45 minutes of FlyBarre
• Saturday: Ran 10.03 easy miles with friends (8:44 average pace)
• Sunday: 45 minutes of competitive cycling at Torq Cycle (18.12 miles and a power number of 394, good for first female in the class) + 7 easy miles riding with Mr. rUnladylike around town later that afternoon

Eating Clean

I have been using MyFitnessPal to track my food intake everyday with my mom and I love being in control of my choices and portion sizes. This was an area that I really struggled with during November and December, and it feels so good to be back on track. I’m also going 20 days strong with no bread or sugar and feeling amazing. Here are a few recipes I made this past week that were winners:

• Braised Beef Ragu from Pinch of Yum: I loved this easy-to-make crockpot dish. I followed the recipe for the beef, which was delicious, but instead of making the polenta I served it over zoodles (zuchinni noodles made with my Vegetti) and topped it with a little romano cheese. So good and makes tons of leftovers! The beauty of serving it over zoodles is that your protein and vegetable combine to make it nearly a one-pot dish.

• Grapefruit Glazed Turkey Tenderloin from My Purple Spoon:  This was a really delicious dish. I was out of cilantro and used green onions instead and it was still wonderful. I served this with a side of brown rice and green beans.
• I have also been enjoying all of these health snacks lately! They are really satisfying my taste buds!

What I’m Most Proud of

Last week, I was most proud of not falling off track while traveling for 3 days for work. I made good food choices and woke up before 6 a.m. both days to exercise before a crazy day of meetings.

Where I Struggled

Social situations can sometimes unravel me on the food front. We went to a friend’s house for dinner Sunday night and I ate WAY too many snacks and appetizers before dinner. I knew I was overeating but I kept eating (and eating). I need to try to exert more will power and self-control in social settings. It is fine to splurge, but there is a line between splurging and overdoing it. I was in the overdoing it category on Sunday. The great thing is that every day is a new chance to get on track, and all the days other than Sunday were great.

Thought for the Week Ahead

“To accomplish great things, we must not only act but also dream. Not only plan but also believe.”

~Anatole France

I want to hear from you! How was your week last week? How was your training? What healthy recipes or snacks did you enjoy? What are you most proud of? Where were you most challenged? Share your comments and/or link up to your weekly recap post below.