So here it is, it's Christmas time, I'm sure they have moved it forward this year, time has flown since last year, but what a year it has been. Don't worry I'm not going to spin off into a review of how great 2012 has been for me, although it has, and I will say that it's been the polar opposite to The Queens Annus Horribilis she had 20 years ago, god save her! This has been my Annus Mirabilis (year of wonders - thanks Wiki!) or better still my Annus Awesomeness! This is a far cry from two years ago, when, sat in the car waiting for ice to melt in the windows a song came on the radio, Christmas song, "So this is Christmas, and what have you done........" Oh I hated that song, I was angry with John Lennon for asking that question, it was after all his fault! The answer was, nothing, nothing at all.

In fact I had gone back over in my life; I was sat there at 32 stone plus, miserable, bitter and broken. I decided to make a New Years Resolution! "If in 2011 something doesn't happen to change this life of mine, I'm going to set Joanne free, she deserves so much better than me" Harsh but so very true at that time, and maybe even now it's true but it's too late because she is married to me and she isn't getting away! 2011 was the year I found my solution, The Biggest Loser; you know that this changed my life in so many ways. This can't, sadly, be a solution for the masses who want to lose weight and change their lives. There are a million and one different solutions and one of the problems is the level of choices & the conflicting information from all the "experts". There is no quick fix, the solution should always contain a combination of diet and exercise but most importantly above all else, it needs to help you with your mindset. If you want my advice, here it is, find your solution, don't dilly dally, and just take the action you have to take to move you forward to making 2013 your Annus Awesomeness!

For January 2013 I have teamed up with Concept2 to come up with some fantastic programs to help you get you moving and taking action to your weight loss goals, Concept2 will be providing some awesome packages which will include some online coaching with me via Facebook and my website. We will be sending out details on that very soon.

You are more than welcome to connect with me on Facebook, I'm at facebook.com/kevin.mclernon, I accept all friend requests unless you don't have a profile photo and come from a country I have never heard of and send me a PM first asking me to help you rescue a princess with £500 via some online bank, never again!

Rowing wise, I still can't get that time down, I must be doing it wrong! I've just to keep on cracking on, I'm going to break it down into improving my 500m time first then, 1000m and so on, I will keep you informed, either way I better get a wiggle on if I'm going to win the EIRC, or at least not make a total fool of myself! Are you going? Get on it, especially if you are getting a PB slower than 7:30, please! therowingcompany.com/nationals/english

Catch you all in the new year, have a fantastic Christmas and I hope 2013 is everything you want it to be and more.