2015 year in review

Needless to say, a lot happened and changed around here this past year! 2015 was time of anticipation, new experiences and great adventures. It also been a transitional period of some challenges and growth, and I’m thankful for the lessons and moments that comprised a wonderful year. While there were some amazing parts of 2015, I find myself really looking forward to 2016. Lots of changes and exciting things on the way -including the news and potential of our next move- and I have a good feeling about the New Year.

Ginafamily 13

W liv

Fitnessista+ High+Res 15Livi at the park

36 weeks

Cooking w liv

Livi soccer and ice cream

009 baby girl p sneak peek photography by jacquelynn buck

Liv and p

Smiley p

Some of the highlights of 2015:

Livi’s 3rd birthday and her birthday Disneyland trip

Traveling to Canyon Ranch in Lenox! I got to see some of my best blogger friends and visit Kyle

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The Sedona Yoga Festival! If you can, GO. Sedona is a magical place, and I can’t wait to go back.

Sedona creek

The first time I experienced negative temperatures. 😉

Finding out we were expecting baby #2 and sharing the news!

Our babymoon in Hawaii (recaps here, here and here)

Hula dancers 1 of 1

Tanque Verde Ranch

P was born

I turned the big 3-1

We started our adjustment as a family of 6 (including the pups) 

004 baby girl p sneak peek photography by jacquelynn buck

It was also filled with lots of paddle boarding, beach time, date nights, family fun, hanging out with friends, teaching and take classes, and enjoying the beauty that is San Diego. We’ve been here almost two years, and each time I cross the bridge and can see the bay, I feel so lucky and happy to be living here. 

Top Posts

My top posts from 2015:

The top spots are for two viral posts which had nothing to do with fitness: baby food! 1 month of baby food, 1 hour, $20 rounds 1 and 2 have been my top posts since I created the recipes, years ago. I’m excited to do some new versions of these posts when P can eat solids! I’m so so happy many fellow moms have found these posts useful and have shared with their friends. 

Baby food 61

Baked breakfast cookies. The original breakfast cookie has always been one of my top posts, but many readers indicated that they didn’t like the cold overnight oats texture. So, I created a baked version with similar nutrition value and tastes…like a cookie #statingtheobvious

The redesigned fitness category page! This was my #1 goal with the blog redesign, and I wanted to make the workouts easier to find and navigate. I’ll be posting a ton of workouts in the new year, and will hopefully find some more ways to make the blog easier to use for ya. 

The best pasta salad you will ever have in your entire life. The title speaks for itself! SO so good, and I can’t take any credit for it. It’s all the work of Uncle E.

Pasta salad 1 of 1 2

Potty training tips from two nanas. That one time my mom and nana swooped in and potty-trained Liv like it was NBD.

The signup page for Post Baby Bod. I’m so glad you’re excited for it, too! The official launch is March 1, but if you want to claim yours, I’ll have an opportunity up in the next couple of weeks.

Winter Shape Up Week 1. I love putting together full plans to share with ya, and hope to do more besides the Shape Ups in the new year.

Quinoa Pancakes. These are a great protein-packed breakfast option, especially if you don’t want to use protein powder.

Focus On: Orangetheory. One of my favorite workouts EVER.

Back at otf

Baby announcement wrap-up. It was so much fun to share the news about P’s arrival. 

Brownie batter protein bites. These are a delicious high-protein snack and taste like a decadent dessert.

Brownie batter protein bites 1 of 1 2

Are there any posts from the blog that stand out to you from the past year?? Thank you again to those of you who responded to my blog survey. I was blown away by the incredible response, and am so excited to implement your faves and ideas in the new year. 

What was your personal highlight of 2015?

Have a wonderful day, a safe and happy New Year, and I’ll see ya in 2016!

xoxo

Gina

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25 Comments

  1. Jessica on December 31, 2015 at 6:41 am

    my personal highlight this year was GETTING MARRIED!! not sure how 2016 can top that…..;)

  2. Sana Waheed on December 31, 2015 at 7:16 am

    So happy you have a sweet new addition to your family this year! Can’t wait to see you dominate 2016!

  3. Sagan on December 31, 2015 at 7:37 am

    Happy New Year lady!

    One of my biggest highlights for 2015 was rebranding my blog and focusing on it as the main component of my freelance business… and starting to blog more about feminism 🙂 Here’s to an awesome 2016!

  4. Jessie on December 31, 2015 at 8:27 am

    My personal highlight was making new friends in this new state that we live in and acclimating to this new place very well. Looking forward to following your 2016 journey! 2015 was a great yr for you:)

  5. Caitlin on December 31, 2015 at 8:47 am

    Congrats on an awesome 2015

    My highlights: Engaged on New Years Eve one year ago today, got married on July 4th and am currently 27 weeks pregnant! 2015 was a whirlwind of happiness and it looks like 2016 will be too!

    Thanks for your blog, Gina. As a personal trainer (with a bit less experience at this point), I’ve checked in over the past couple years. With the pregnancy posts & pregnancy workouts, I’ve been following closely the past few months!

  6. Julie on December 31, 2015 at 8:59 am

    Loved this post! What an amazing year you’ve had! I can’t believe it’s been 2 yrs since you’ve moved to SD! Here’s to hoping when you do this recap next yr, you’ll look back on your old posts & be like, “Oh yeah, that reflux issue was a beast – so glad that’s a distant memory!” Lots of hugs to you & your beautiful family. Wishing you a fabulous new year.

  7. Julia @ Lord Still Loves Me on December 31, 2015 at 9:22 am

    It has been such a pleasure to watch you and your family grow during 2015. I’ve been an avid reader of The Fitnessista for almost 2 years now, and I cannot get enough! Thank you for sharing your life with us, Gina. Wishing you the best as we enter this new year!

    Have a wonderful holiday night and enjoy this upcoming year. <3

  8. Sharon T on December 31, 2015 at 9:25 am

    My personal favorite post of yours is the DIY Rose Lipbalm. I’ve made it so many times for myself, and as gifts!
    Expecting baby #2 has been a highlight of our 2015. :0) Happy new year!

  9. Jill @ Champagne for Everyday on December 31, 2015 at 9:31 am

    What a great year! I’m so excited for you guys and your new precious addition. Great roundup of posts and special moments 🙂 Happy New Year!

    Italy’s Finest: Talking Wine & Business With Top Chef Fabio Viviani

  10. Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious on December 31, 2015 at 10:30 am

    Happy New Years Eve! I can’t wait to see what’s in store for you in 2016. I loved the post you wrote about balance and how it works for you.

  11. Cassie on December 31, 2015 at 11:09 am

    Your Liv and P posts always are so sweet! My highlight was having my first little one in September. It’s been a hard year too though… the hubs is looking for a job so that has been very stressful on us. Here’s hoping for a job in 2016!

  12. Tracy on December 31, 2015 at 11:28 am

    You have had a great year!! It was fun reading along with you. I’ve had a wonderful year as well 🙂

    Looking forward to hearing where your next location will be! When will you find out?

    HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

  13. Katie @ Live Half Full on December 31, 2015 at 12:19 pm

    My personal highlight was becoming a Mom! Now that my baby is 2 months old I feel like I’m finding my footing and am excited to see what 2016 brings! Happy New Year!

  14. Ashley @ A Lady Goes West on December 31, 2015 at 1:12 pm

    Gina! I’m truly glad we were able to meet this year! Where will you be moving — can’t wait to hear? Oh man, I bet you are going to miss the beautiful city of San Diego! As far as your posts — love the fitness posts and nutrition tips of course. And family stuff. Okay, all of it really. And one of the posts I wrote on Orangetheory is also in my top 10 this year — people are searching for it far and wide! 🙂 Happy NYE!

  15. Ali on December 31, 2015 at 7:33 pm

    Happy Happy Happy New Year Beauty!! Where are you guys thinking you may be moving? Or would it be another assignment you are given?

  16. Cassie T on December 31, 2015 at 9:36 pm

    Happy new year!

  17. Honey, What's Cooking on December 31, 2015 at 11:10 pm

    Congratulations on the baby! Biggest highlight for me I suppose is I started off on a negative note, I’m ending on a positive one.
    I’m just relieved!
    🙂

  18. Juliana on January 1, 2016 at 9:03 am

    So my new fave post of yours is your raw chocolate tart from years ago. I made it for an alternative Christmas dessert thinking only myself and my brothers gf would eat it (I have Crohn’s disease and she has a lot of severe food allergies) and OMG IT WAS AMAAAAAAAAZING. That chocolate filling is magical and everyone wanted to keep eating it, even my super meat-and-potatoes relatives whose initial reactions were “ick” when I told them what it was. I’m so inspired to try more raw desserts! Thank you, and happy new year!

  19. Amanda on January 1, 2016 at 10:21 am

    Breakfast cookies FTW! Happy New Year Gina!!

  20. Erin @ Her Heartland Soul on January 1, 2016 at 7:09 pm

    What a wonderful year!

  21. Paolo U on January 2, 2016 at 12:45 am

    The year was really wonderful, but I think that what makes even more wonderful is that I realized that I should continue my health blog. I should have done this before, but I got too busy ( at least, that is what I thought).

  22. Mia on January 2, 2016 at 9:04 am

    My highlight was starting my blog!!!!
    If anyone could check it out that would be super amazing 🙂
    https://sweetpotatoesrunner.wordpress.com

  23. Sam on January 3, 2016 at 9:45 am

    What a lovely year you had! My highlights included getting married, going to Thailand and Japan, friends having 1st babies and getting engaged/married, and my sister having an adorable baby boy on New Year’s Eve! Here’s to 2016 : )

  24. Christa on February 4, 2016 at 12:24 pm

    Just found you today! I love how real you are, and all the pictures of your workouts and foods! I hope your new year with two kids is going well, the more busy you are, the less time you feel you have for working out! I hope you’ve found a comfortable routine

    • Fitnessista on February 4, 2016 at 9:52 pm

      thank you so much!! nice to meet you 🙂

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