10 ways to jump into July
-Find a new challenge! Since Summer Shape Up is over, what are you going to do for your July goals? Write them down, put them in a place where you can see them, and take steps every day to make them happen. I have a couple of things I’m working on -hopefully I can let the proverbial cat out of the bag this week- and some new goals for July, too.
For my own personal challenge, I’m going to work on reducing the amount of toxins in our household. We’re pretty good about using natural cleaning and skincare products, but could definitely reduce the amount of plastic we use. I’m horrible at remembering our reusable shopping bags -even though we have 47,000- and even though we recycle our plastic and paper bags… still. I personally detest plastic, so if we could focus on reducing canned food purposes and plastic this month, I’d be a happy girl. I’ve transitioned to glass food storage containers, and while they were $$, it was worth it.
-Have a water fight. Liv loves playing with the water table -sadly her inflatable pool has a hole in it- but I think she would a fun family water day. We have a couple of splash pads in Tucson that we haven’t ventured to yet, so hoping we can make it this month.
-See a summer flick. Word on the street is that there are a lot of awesome summer movies out right now. We might go see a movie for this week’s date night, or even better, sip wine and watch a movie on the lounge chairs on the patio 🙂
-Go dancing. No explanation needed 😉
-Rock a top knot. I’ve been wearing one of those bunmaker things
(usually on an unwashed hair day) and man, I’m late to the party on this one, but I LOVE it. It makes my bun look voluptuous and polished and is super easy to do.
(Meg always has the best top knots)
-Make something red, white and blue. Every year, I want to make one of these awesome 4th of July cakes! Every year, I also picture myself epically failing, punching said cake, eating a giant chunk, and throwing the rest in the trash can.
-Sign up for a mud run, color run or obstacle course. There are quite a few coming up in the fall, so now’s the time to put a team together or even think of costumes for the big day. If you have fun costume ideas, I’d love to hear them!
-Seek out some fireworks. Now that fireworks are legal again in Tucson, I have a feeling that my brothers will be putting on a show of their own. I’m especially excited for Disneyland fireworks– we’re taking the fam this month and I’m so, so excited.
-Try a new-to-you summer fruit or veggie. Summer brings a bounty of beautiful fruits and veggies. I especially love all of the peaches and berries that are showing up at our local market. I’d like to make a savory berry recipe with salmon, blueberries and basil.
-Take a day. I feel like I say this every month (and maybe I do?) but I think it’s so important to take time for YOU. For weight training, it’s pretty common knowledge that results happen during rest. The same thing holds true for LIFE. You can’t fully enjoy it when you’re in the thick of to-dos, chores, deadlines, work, commitments, and pressure you put on yourself. You become more peaceful, and I think happier, when you take a moment, a deep breath and a second to soak it all in. Make sure to set aside some time to just enjoy and BE this month.
What’s going on in July? Goals? Trips? Fitness events? I wanna hear it!
Here’s to a happy and healthy July.
xoxo
Gina
Congratulations to the Yes To giveaway winners! I absolutely loved reading all of the things you say “yes to.” Talk about warm fuzzies 😉 No worries if you didn’t win this one– stay tuned for more fun giveaways coming up.
Winners, please send me an email (fitnessista at gmail dot com) and we’ll get your prizes on the way.
Amanda, who said: Yes to open mouth kisses from my 14.5 month old, snuggles at bedtime, and running doing the couch to 5k training program!
Molly: I say yes to 85 percent dark chocolate, hikes in Denali National Park and playing my ukulele at open mic night
Beverly: OMG, those grapefruit face wipes are my faaaaavorite! I say “yes to” bubble baths, margaritas and gelato
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My July goal is doing more DEEP WORK classes! I know overdoing it is not the best but I just LOVE this group fitness. Depending on the instructor they can be so different. But I love how my arms have already become a lot leaner (after 1.5 years of INTENSE body pump, I did need an alternative). DEEP WORK gives you this incredible ‘omg I did not know i had muscles there’ feeling and it is so much fun when you suffer with all these other really athletic folks because it is just so different.
Other goals for July: Get a tan! Enjoy the sun! Work less! Plan summer holidays! Stop stressing and worrying about EVERYTHING – and maybe re-check my inspiration board 😀 Happy Monday!
This post hit the spot! My hubby has been deployed to fight a wildland fire and I’m feeling stuck in a rut. Don’t get me wrong I miss him but I also miss my late evening or early morning runs sans the jogging stroller. Selfish I know!
I absolutely love some of these goals, especially taking a “me” day once a month, trying a new fruit or veggie, and making a cool red white and blue thing.
Just started reading your blog and I love it already! I have a few goals for July as well: prep more fruits & veggies on the weekends, do more yoga, take a mini-vacation with my husband, do at least 1 outdoor workout a week. I think I can make it happen!
Loving your goals this month! I’m actually doing a Color Run at the beginning of August and I’m so psyched! I think it’s going to be tons of fun! My goal for July is to get back into running again. I did my first run yesterday and I was pretty happy with my results, but I definitely have more work to do!
Definitely going to try out some of these goals you listed. I’m always pretty bad at making concrete goals for myself, but I’m slowly realizing they are sometimes necessary to get things accomplished. Especially the bigger things.
I’m all about taking ME days more often. They’re so important!
I don’t run. BUT I really really really want to do one of the fun 5Ks. So I decided to start Couch to 5K this week. These are great goals for July.
Hi Gina!! Thanks for replying to me on IG yesterday – looks like we both got out Trader Joe’s shopping done for the week! The fit blog conference looked like so much fun – I hope I can get out there next year and learn more about this fabulous world of fit blogging! Have a happy July!!!
I’m so excited for July! I’ve been looking forward to it all year….we’re having a party for the 4th, going to the beach next week, friends are visiting from out of town the 3rd week, then we’re going for a long weekend with mu husbands family at a near by lake! Lots of travel and good times ahead 🙂
This month my goal is to up my water intake and cut back a bit on my am coffee. I’ve been drinking A LOT more than usually (maybe do to the fact that I NEED a vacation?! ha), so I’m trying to focus on only 2 cups a day. I am also focusing on training for an upcoming 10k as well. Should be a great month!
Disney fireworks=the best!!! 🙂
The punching then eating said cake comment literally made me laugh outloud haha thank you!
Same here!!
Good reminders on the red, white, and blue. I always forget!
My goal in July is to change up my fitness routine a bit so I signed up for two weeks of hot yoga! I currently practice vinyasa flow yoga but this studio incorporates the heat in the room as well. Excited to try it! I’ve also committed to drinking one juice/smoothie a day in July 🙂
One of goals is to also whip up something really creative and festive for the fourth of july. I’ve been searching for the perfect recipe that won’t melt in this hot weather we’ve been having.
I haven’t made a monthly list of goals in awhile. It’d be nice to sit down and really think about what I want to accomplish this month. I’m thinking before bed tonight (when my mind is always racing a mile a minute) I’ll write down a few things. I like to make the most of the summer months for sure!
Love that last one to “Take a day” – I totally agree!
I’m committed to getting settled in my new place and really focusing on my half marathon training this month (my first one is at the end of next month!).
Love these. I need to replace all my plastic too especially for reheating.
I tried a flag cake last year and it looked kind of messy but was yummy. Go for it!
I’m doing my first mud run in two weeks and I want to try the sock bun but I’m a hair failer so I doubt I could do it :/
It’s always fun to think about the month/year ahead and the possibilities we have. I will definitely need to take a DAY (or ten) after our wedding to recoup and just chill out. Whew! We’re on the home stretch – 12 days until the wedding!
I’ve got some weight loss goals but also some rewards in place for sticking to plan. I want to see World War Z at the theatre and I’ve planned some fun new recipes to try. That flag cake is so creative – I can’t believe how people come up with this stuff. 🙂
Awesome July goals!
To help with your 4th of July cake aspirations, I saw these cake pops on pinterest that are super cute and the sprinkle stars and icing stripes seem pretty straightforward 🙂 I’ve also done blueberries and strawberries in a flag design on white frosting – healthier and festive!
http://cajuncouponer.com/2013/06/20/4th-of-july-cake-pops/
I use all glass storage, too! It may be a little pricey, but you don’t have to keep replacing them! Plus, hello dishwasher safe!! 🙂 🙂
Hey Gina, It was great meeting you at Fitbloggin this weekend! Your Zumba song was one of my favs! 🙂
I’m so late to the party too on the bun thing. I need to get one. I’m not sure if will work on my hair though! I’m totally with you on the “Take a Day” goal. I’ve been going and going non-stop and I think it’s time I gave myself a bit of a rest (i.e., put the iPhone down!).
My July goals are to run/walk atleast 2 miles every day, do yoga as much as possible, 3-4 times and Zumba 1-2 times a week. Eat clean and lean. Be confident and take rest and take care of myself
At the end of July my entire family (mom. dad, their 6 kids & their spouses & kids) are heading to Breckenridge, Colorado for a reunion vacation. We’ll be celebrating Mom & Dad’s 50th anniv and Mom’s 70th birthday. Very excited!!
I love your goals! So nice to make them every year rather than waiting til January!
My goals for this month…my boyfriend has finally persuaded me to give Crossfit a try and I’m signed up for my first class on Saturday! I’m excited but pretty nervous too…I’m not the strongest girl you’ll ever meet but hopefully I’ll soon be a little bit stronger!
I’ve also decided to try to cut out pasta this month. Quite the challenge for someone who would happily eat the stuff on a daily basis. I haven’t had any today though so it’s going well so far 😉
I’m going to Tucson and while I’m there I’ll be taking a DAY. 😉
My husband is going for a certification and I am tagging along to chill out and have some me time. My parents offered to babysit so who am I to turn down a few days to myself. Anything I need to see/do??
i’m so excited for july!
i want to:
-grill peaches for dessert
-log my meals daily on myfitnesspal.com
-improve my 5K time and find a race to register for
-go to the zoo!
I am actually starting a 30-Day Vegetarian Challenge to help people try the benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle for a month!!! I have been a vegetarian for about 7 months and its an awesome lifestyle! Great time to try it to with all the farmers markets in the summer!!
Color run is a good idea!
One of my July goals is to drink more water! The weather is heating up, so it’s the perfect time to try harder! I sweat a ton because I take a lot of spin classes, and I’m not always the best hydrator. Not good. Or smart.
My July goal is to enjoy more time on the weekends. I’m so busy during the week and then tend to use the weekend to blitz through everything I put aside during the busy week, like cleaning…ha. I just want to set aside a few more minutes for myself.
Great points for JULY 🙂 I love getting into summer produce and the late nights! Thanks for sharing + good luck with your cake!! I know it will be yummy, you are an excellent baker! Love + Shine CourtStar
Love the July goals!!
I signed up for Outdoor Bootcamp classes and want to join as much as possible in the future, it’s so fun! I did Brooklyn Bridge Bootcamp in New York while my vacation so I tried to find one in my town and I did, love it!
Also I want to cut back on Almond Butter a bit. I just have no moderation there, like an animal 🙂
I love that last one–so true. We NEED rest & to find inner peace. Having that peace is what makes us happy–and with all that we all have going on, that is a MUST!
I am in dire need of a new fitness challenge so I will be figuring out what exactly that might entail for workouts as we move into the dog days of summer. On the food front, my goal is to try 1 new recipe a week. I love cooking so this shouldn’t be too challenging, but I am also a creature of habit and am not one to get bored eating the same things day-to-day, week-to-week. Especially in the heat of the summer, there are so many ways to get creative with salads and shakes (my faves!).
No big trips planned, but I am headed to the NC mountains for a fitness-related retreat later this month!
Oh Happy Day! I can’t believe I was one of the lucky winners in the YES TO giveaway. Thanks for hosting this awesome giveaway, Gina. Off to email you now!
Going on in July? My bday 🙂
Goals? Complete another round of SSU 🙂
Trips? Need to plan something ASAP 🙂
My goals for July is to do all of the summer shape from start to finish and to pass my Chemistry class with flying colors during summer II!!! and enjoy summer as much as I possibly can!! =)
I posted my July goals today too! It’s going to be a good month! http://www.livehalffullblog.com/2013/07/01/june-recap-and-july-goals/
There is nothing more beautiful than a picture of a pile of groceries on a kitchen table. It all looks so colorful and fresh I love it!
My July goals are to 1) keep up strength training and 2) run a fast 10K race for the Big Ten 10K in Chicago at the end of the month. I’ve never run a 10K before so I have nothing to compare it to but I know I want to break 1 hour at least!
My July goal is to complete round 2 of SSU!
You will LOVE the Disneyland fireworks with Liv. They are truly magical!
I’m looking forward to some camping with family, my two bridal showers, and definitely taking advantage of any “me” time I can get. With all of the wedding stress, I am loving any time I get to RELAX!