I love New Year’s resolutions. I always have – there is something about starting fresh in a new year that never ceases to inspire me. Like many of you, I have a few resolutions. One is to become a stronger person, physically.

Last year presented some physical challenges that were, if not very painful, certainly a nuisance. In the summer, I took to running up the mountain in the mornings before work. At first, it felt amazing. After a while, I began to experience abnormal muscle pain in my hips, butt and upper legs – as well as a nerve pinching in my butt. I felt like an OLD LADY. And no offense to the old ladies out there, I am sure you are rocking your thing, but I’m 31 years old and NOT ready to feel physically limited!

In the fall, an ergotherapist unblocked my hips, which had been causing me to run with all of the elegance of an elephant – and I regained some motion I didn’t realize I had lost. She also determined I had weak core muscles which was causing a lot of trouble. So this year is the Year of the Core. I will become the Wonder Woman of the core muscles. Just joking. Sort of.

In 2012, I’ll become the master of my gluts. The ambassador of my abs. A leggy priestess of all that is fitness.

This is not about losing weight. It’s about building a strong body that will carry me through the years.

A bit of inspiration to help me along: I started a Pinterest board called Strength Inspiration.

What are your resolutions this year?

Photo via Pinterest, by Marc Thyssen