In the New Year….
Happy 2016, friends! Hope you had a wonderful weekend after the celebration. It was kind of amazing that Christmas and New Years both fell on Fridays this year. It was two full straight weeks of festivities (and time off for the Pilot; reason enough for celebration right there!) and we are getting back in the swing of things. I would say this is finally a *normal* week, but my mom is coming, and Livi’s birthday is on Friday, so more partying is in store. 🙂
As you guys know, I’m not a huge resolution-er. I feel like if you want to make a change, do it now, instead of waiting for an ominous date on the calendar and the unnecessary pressure that can accompany said date. At the same time, a fresh new year is a great opportunity to reflect on what you’d like to get rid of, what you want to accomplish, and habits you’d like to keep in the new year. In the past, I would make a glittery inspiration board to hang in the closet and remain mindful of my goals. When you have visual reminders of your goals, you’re more likely to create steps each day to accomplish them. Since the beautiful invention that is Pinterest, I’ve started using that as a mode to track ideas for my own goals, and love when you share yours with me, too.
Here are some of the things I’d like to accomplish on the personal, health, and career fronts in the new year. (You can check out my inspiration board pins here!)
Personal
1. Travel! I’d really love to get back in the swing of traveling, especially as Miss P starts to feel better and better. We’ll be heading to Tucson this spring -ahhh I miss the fam so much- and I think that will be around the time we’ll be able to take some other small road trips (Disneyland!) and travel. The good news is that we have a ton of amazing sites here in San Diego that instantly make it feel like a vacation. 😉 I haven’t wanted to rush it at all, but I know that as the year goes on, it will become easier and more feasible to travel as a family. I would LOVE to be able to make it to the east coast and hang out with Kyle and Meg for a little while this summer. Two more travel goals: make it back to Hawaii and Sedona this year, and start planning our Italy trip for 2017. (<— it will be for our 10-year anniversary. Insane!)
Take me baaaaack….
My girlfriends and I are planning a getaway for May, too, and I can’t wait!
2. Work on being a better version of myself, through more compassion, patience, selflessness and kindness. This is something I’m always striving towards, and each day, I like to think of things I did well or could have done better. I really want to do everything I can to be an awesome wife, mom, friend, daughter and sister.
3. Get some “me” back. As you guys might have surmised, the past 10 weeks have been pretty intense. I know there are people out there who do 29384720x more things than I do and we all have our own challenges/struggles, but the reflux stress/anxiety, researching, constant appointments and phone calls have been pretty exhausting. As everything starts to stabilize, I know that bits of myself that feel lost right now will start to make their way back. My priority is taking care of our family, and with everything going on, as time goes by, I’ll feel a bit more like myself. We love our little gooses so much, and just want to see P feeling better. I’m excited that at this point next year, the reflux and everything that went along with it will be a memory.
4. Paddleboard as much as possible before we move! This is probably one of my very favorite things, and I’m determined to take advantage of it over the next year.
5. Don’t waste time on the things that don’t really matter. This is something I’ve gotten much better at through the years: life is valuable, so why waste it on the stuff that doesn’t matter? I’ve learned to stop reading books if I think they suck, watch Botched even if there’s something intellectual I could be reading or watching instead, slack on chores if it means snuggling my babies or catching up with a friend, and make exercise and healthy living something I enjoy. For so long, I was a slave to what I thought “health” meant. I learned that letting go and enjoying is the best way to make sustainable changes. If I’m going to spend my time doing it, it’s something worth doing.
6. Get my tattoo! I’ve been wanting a tattoo for years and years. The Pilot isn’t really aboard the tattoo train, but I finally convinced him. I said when I was done having our babies, I wanted my tattoo, and he didn’t argue. 😉 I found an AMAZING girl here in San Diego, but she’s not taking new clients for the next year. So, I may have to wait a while, but it will happen.
Career
1. Launch post baby bod! I’m in the process of testing out all of the strength workouts right now, just to make sure they flow well and make sense, and have a tentative launch date of March 1. Pre and postnatal fitness have become huge passions of mine, and I’m looking forward to sharing full plans and fitness ideas with fellow mamas. If you’ve been wanting to claim yours, I’ll have a preorder opportunity + bonus available THIS WEEK so keep your eyes open for it!
2. Two huge projects that I have my eye on. I’d like to start a new website -and need to find a coding ninja to help me out with some algorithms- and also explore a new opportunity that’s purely fitness-related. It really depends on where we find out we’ll be moving, which we should know this spring/summer. Lots of exciting things on the way!
3. Finish my Women’s Fitness Specialist certification and start the Institute of Integrate Nutrition in the fall. I’ve explored going back to finish my MBA, but the timing still isn’t right. I’ve been considering IIN for a couple of years, and I feel like this is a good time to go for it, since I can complete the courses at my own pace.
Health/Fitness
1. Meditate daily again, and take steps to reduce anxiety and stress. When I was meditating daily, I noticed huge benefits in my everyday life. I haven’t been meditating since P was born, because every time I close my eyes for longer than 2 minutes, I fall asleep. 😉 When sleep becomes less of a unicorn, I will get back into consistently meditating, but for now, I’m going to try to find quiet moments during the day when I can sneak in a couple of minutes.
2. Complete a yoga studio challenge. I’m going to include yoga in my routine, even if it’s not every week, at least here and there. The hotter, the better. I went to Yoga Six this weekend and it was like a sweltering rainforest. It was beautiful.
3. Run another half marathon, or at least begin training for one. I ran a couple of weeks ago, and it felt SO freeing, and so awesome. I’m taking it easy on the impact cardio for now, but when I’m back in action, I’m excited to get my running pants back on.
4. Lower my sugar consumption. Desserts and cocktails will always be there, but since I’m no longer breastfeeding, I don’t feel like so much of a sugar monster. I’m going to be aiming for natural sugars as much as possible, with less of the refined stuff.
So, tell me friends: are you a resolution-er?
What are some of your personal, career and health/fitness goals for 2016? I would love to hear them!
Cheers to a bright, shiny, new year!
xoxo
Gina
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I just wrote up a post about my own resolutions a few days ago, and a big one on the list for me is fitness. I’ve really been neglecting it for the past year because of other life craziness, but my wedding is approaching and it’s time to get moving! Not to mention I’ve been feeling sluggish and not great so I’m ready to make a lot of positive changes for myself.
I’m not much of a resolutioner… I more like to think about the overall idea of things rather than setting specific goals. Maybe that is counter intuitive but it works for me, lol. Hope you guys have a great 2016 and that P continues to get better!!
I’m not a resolution-er, but I am a goal setter. I’ve got some big ones coming up this year!
I love the idea of an inspiration board in place of a resolution!
For years I’ve chosen a word or phrase to live by for the year instead of a resolution—but then this year, the idea of resolutions sounded really appealing. So I’ve made the resolution to write 500 words / day (unrelated to blogging) so that I can finally get all of my books written that I want to.
So much opportunity in the new year 🙂
What your not going to try for a boy? !?! JUST KIDDING! That INN cert looks amazing, even as a dietitian thats something I’ve been eyeing. I’ll be interested to hear your experience with it. First I’d like to get my CSSD (certified specialist in sports dietetics). I’m not a resolution-er either, it’s all about goals!
um NO. two and through! haha
i will definitely post about IIN if i decide to go for it 🙂
xoxo
Happy New Year! Thanks for sharing your goals!
I graduated from IIN last July, and it was the most amazing experience. You will absolutely love it!!
I know we haven’t met in person, but I always get the feeling that you are the most patient, calm person. I, on the other hand, am not any of those things. I start at IIN this month and also taking an online holistic nutrition program to get certified as a wellness practitioner. I have no idea where these things will take me, but hopefully it will be somewhere good!
I love #5 and am right there with ya. Focus on what truly matters – to YOU. Also, so glad you said that about breastfeeding and being a sugar monster. OMG this is so me right now and it was so unexpected because it’s pretty unlike me to be hitting the sugar and desserts so hard and not even caring (or hardly caring). Just another thing I did not realize/was unprepared for with BFing.
oh man. when i was bf-ing, i had multiple cookies each day. they were delicious haha
I’ve started focusing on a couple smaller, specific goals each month that only take a short amount of time per day. In December I did your plank a day challenge from a couple years ago. It was rewarding to build strength in just a few weeks and go from being shaky after only 30 seconds of planking to being able to make it 3 minutes. My New Year’s Resolutions often fade by February, so I like just focusing on each new month and feeling successful when I complete a challenge.
Thank you! Your blog inspires me!
I was reading your blog before bed last night and no lie, I dreamed you were moving to London or Lubbock. Let’s hope for your sake it’s not Lubbock. 🙂
hahah! you never know 😉
I LOVE resolutions, but I basically make them all year long, ha!
I just wanted to say that I LOVE LOVE LOVE your goal of just being easier on yourself. Like you, I’ve always been super hard on myself for not doing the “best” thing, but I have gotten to a place now where I can say “I’m going to work on eating healthier this year” but not bludgeon myself for having a cookie or an extra glass of wine if I want. I think we all just need to realize that we can do things without those things defining us, and if we are making the best choices most of the time who cares???
Like, you, I’m not really a resolution-er; I think hardcore resolutions set me up for failure. Instead, I set a goal in each of the important parts of my life: personal, financial, professional, and fitness. We’ll see how it goes!
Happy New Year, and thanks for the reminder to do my inspiration board! I am definitely more of a New Year’s goal setter versus a resolution person, but I have no problem with people making resolutions either. If someone wants to do something that they feel like will make them a better, happier version of themselves, by all means, do it! I used to get annoyed at how busy the gym gets at this time of year, but in the past few years that has shifted to being happy that so many people are trying to make fitness a part of their lifestyle. I can’t imagine how intimidating it must be to start a routine, especially if it involves a class!
I’ve made a few resolutions about trying to grow my business and online presence and also to care less what people think of me! I think this time of year just makes me more mindful of things I want to change or goals I want to reach!
I’m not into resolutions either. I just want to not feel “stuck” and keep moving forward everyday in the best way I can. Like you said. not wasting time on things that don’t matter!
Happy New Year! Wondering if post baby bod is going to be a paid thing? Your “pre-order” wording made me question it. Let me know either way — this mama needs it 🙂
yes, it will be paid! anyone who purchases a copy will get updates to the plan for free + bonus workouts, recipes, etc
xoxo
I also don’t set resolutions, but I do love the energy the new year brings! I’m excited to make the most of it, and have a blast exploring Alaska!
1. The picture of P and Livi is so cute! Maybe it’s just me but it looks likE P is wrapped in a large thong. LOL.
2. I have a couple friends who ddi the IIN program and loved it. One is a health coach and the other is a full-time beachbody coach.
3. If you make it to Mass let me know…it’s not far from New Haven County! 🙂 🙂
your comment cracked me up. it totally looks like a large thong bahaha
i will definitely let you know if we head to mass
I live an hour away (closer to the city) from Kyle and Meg but I would drive there to meet you! It’s my dream to meet you!
I’m totally not a resolutioner but I do think it’s a good time of year to reflect on the difference between how we want our life to look and how it actually looks. So often making small changes (going to bed 30 minutes earlier, getting some sunshine everyday, calling a long distance friend once a week) make all the difference!
Happy New Year ! Get the tattoo!!! I had always wanted one and I finally did it on a milestone birthday. No regrets at all. Love the photo of Livi and P – they must be so cute together. Thank YOU for inspiring me on the daily. Not a day goes by that I don’t read your blog and take something away from it. You ROCK – OX – Gina (from Mass)
what did you get? i’m so excited to finally have mine 🙂
thank YOU so much for being here and reading for so long. happy new year to you!
I also try to adjust things that aren’t working along the way rather than waiting for a big milestone. However, New Year’s Week has happened to coincide with the 16 week old sleeping through the night for a full week… first time EVER!… so I ordered your HIIT It, and I’m getting back in my fitness and eating groove! I am ready to lose that baby weight!
Great goals, you gave some good, inspirational ideas! This year, I have a few.. One is to spend one day a month volunteering somewhere. Also, like you, I want to travel more, which for me means spending less on other useless stuff so I have more to spend on travel 😉
i think travel is the best way to spend money!
I love resolutions! It’s funny- I blogged about the exact same thing today. I read through the comments a lot of people saying that, so clearly great minds think alike 🙂
Good luck with all your resolutions (especially traveling- my personal favourite).
My biggest resolution this year is to save as much money as I can. I’ve put together my budget already and am excited to get started for the year! I’m hoping to buy a house next year, so it’s extra motivating to have something to work towards!
Looks like you have an awesome year to look forward to!
My goals this year are:
1.) to go on a really awesome trip for my 10th wedding anniversary
2.) volunteer. I’ve always been good about donating things to organizations but this year I really want to get more involved.
3.) to not give a crap! I’ve always been concerned about how others perceive me and I think I’ll always be like that to an extent. I just don’t want it to consume me as much. I want to just be me; do things that are right for me and make me happy without worrying what others might think of it. I think it would feel so amazing to truly be able to do that!
Happy 2016!
oh i want to hear about where you decide to go!
amen to #3
happy new year to you <3
Wow, you’re ambitious 😉 Great goals!! Moving again? Remind me, what branch of the military does the Pilot work for? Is he active or reserves? I’d love more posts (or old posts on this) on military life as my BF just joined the reserves. Thank you and happy, healthy New Year! xxoo
he’s active air force 🙂 happy new year to you too!
Yes! I love all of these. I have been thinking about goals and started my inspiration board last night, knowing you’d be sharing one with us soon 🙂 A few goals:
1. get my AFAA group fitness certification – I’ve signed up, now need to do the studying!
2. Meditate 15 minutes/3 days a week – started today using the Headspace app
3. Eliminate all debt except student loans – hefty goal, but do-able
4. De clutter – started by donating 3 garbage bags and 4 grocery bags of clothing/household stuff yesterday!
5. Manage to plan and execute my wedding in October – this one is a goal I’m not TOO nervous about achieving though 😉
6. Run a 10m or half marathon
1. Bring date nights back with the hubby!
2. Finish my half marathon in March and feel GOOD.
3. Drink 60oz of water, daily (even on the weekends!).
4. Wear a 2 piece bathing suit this Summer and feel good about it (after 2 babies, this won’t be easy).
5. Make healthy decisions and goals that energize and empower me!
these are amazing goals <3
No resolutions for me but I do have a goal to get more sleep! I also want to continue to grow my yoga practice.
Happy New Year!
I’m not really a resolutioner… I did just do my inspiration board, old school style! Pinterest just doesn’t send me. Actually, back in 2012 is when I started doing these, from your posts about them! I was knocked out with bronchitis for the last week and used the downtime to go through magazines, pull cuttings, recycle the magazines and just finished the board last night. A lot of the stuff I have on there has double meanings… “On a Mission” doesn’t just refer to training for my first half marathon, it also literally means going on SAR calls, etc. 😉
Biggest goals are run that half marathon and do more traveling with the husband, he likes taking our camping trailer that he built and I like races, so we’re going to try to combine the two (destination races where we can road trip to them and stay in the camping trailer!)
I am running another half marathon, hiking another 4,000 foot mountain and paying off one student loan! Boom – here I come 2016!
yeah girl!
So excited to hear more about Post-Baby Bod! I’m due with my second April 3, and I know that chasing two boys around I’ll need some vague structure to lose the weight this time!
whoo hoo!
I’m a resolutioner! I like the fresh start of the new year as universal “permission” to release everything that isn’t serving me anymore…I don’t save it all up for January 1, but there is something special about the start of a brand new year that lets me release things more freely and deeply.
I love goals, too…so much that I’m hosting a workshop here in Houston in a couple weeks on how to set goals/resolutions for the new year that you’ll actually achieve. I’ve seen a lot of what works and doesn’t work since I was in project management before I became a personal trainer, so I’m excited to see everyone accomplish their dreams this year.
Great goals!! I am a total resolution-er. I love the idea of a new year, new beginnings, new etc. Ha! I even get excited about new months – your monthly-themed posts are some of my faves. Most of my resolutions are simply habits I plan to form over the next year. I think the biggest one for me will be daily meditation… even if it is only for 10 minutes. 🙂
I am excited about the release of your PBB! I am due with our little guy in April and still have many questions about breast feeding and ab workouts after birth.
I don’t want to sound like a naysayer but I did the IIN program and found it to offer almost no new information than what I had already learned through blogs/books. It’s expensive for what it is. I know most people rave about it and I went into it super excited but was honestly disappointed with the program.
that is so crazy! i’m glad you posted. i’ll do more research!
Ahhh! I went to IIN! You will love it!
After having my first baby in October, I did not set big goals this year, only intentions! I’m excited to see how the year unfolds.
Awesome goals! You’ve got big things ahead!
As an IIN grad, I honestly wouldn’t recommend it. I don’t feel like I learned a ton of new info & you surprisingly don’t learn that much about nutrition.
wow, i’m glad you posted that! i’ll do some more research
Happy New Year!!! I’m with ya, I started setting monthly goals instead of revolutions and I find I follow trough more often.
Juanary goal: Actually put in effort to make myself look presentable! Working at home and in the fitness industry, it’s soooo easy to get stuck in the “yoga pants and messy bun” rut. Don’t get me wrong, I still prefer to live in yoga pants, but I made a commitment to at least spend some time doing my hair and put on a little makeup and I feel so much better about my day. It’s Amazing what a little effort can do for our self esteem hehe 🙂
Also, it might be because I just got married In Italy in August and I’m trying to re-live the memories as much as possible, but every time you post about it I get nostalgic. It’s my favorite place on earth. We promised ourselves we’d go back in 2017 for our 2 year anniversary, but all our guests made us promise they could come with 🙂 It’s so neat you love it too, it’s hard not to. The food, the culture, the views….it’s hard to top! You’ll have to keep us posted on where you go there, I’m happy to suggest places to stay and eat. We are all about the “off the beaten” path gems, so we’ve got plenty of those to offer 🙂
Lastly, I can’t believe it’s already time for you to find out your new location. It seems like just yesterday you moved to San Diego. How are you feeling about it? Are you so sad to leave? Do you get any say in your placement, like a top 5 places you’re willing to move? I don’t know much about that process, so I apologize for the Q’s 🙂
i would love to hear your suggestions! it’s definitely my favorite place in the world. i’d live there in a heartbeat!
i know- it’s gone by way too quickly. i feel sad about it, but am at the point where i know it’s happening, so i’d at least like to know where we’re headed. we get to put in a top 5 list, but there’s no guarantee that your assignment will be on that list
Some of my goals and intentions for 2016:
1. Give timely gifts to family/friends (as opposed to late ones, which I tend to do..)
2. Wake up by 5:30am, be in bed by 10:15pm on weekdays
3. Get X job (don’t wanna jinx it) and
3b. put 100% effort into becoming an asset to the team ASAP
4. Weekly screen sabbath for a half day on Saturday or Sunday
5. Procreate: get baby #2 underway
6. Reduce swearing by at least eliminating the f word from everyday vocabulary
7. Take my baby to the beach at least every other weekend
8. Half marathon goal time: 1:50
9. Befriend this one neighbor & kids that I’ve been meaning to for like, ever
10. Journal at least 1 sentence/day
🙂 🙂 🙂
this is an awesome list. i admire you for #6… i need to do that 😉