“Before 30” bucket list

Hi friends <3 Thank you so much for your amazing response to this morning’s post. It’s way too easy to get into the comparison trap game and at the end of the day, how fast we run, how much we lift, how well we Zumba… it doesn’t really matter. I’m loving all of your amazing comments. Thank you.

I’ve mentioned it before, but we have so much going on each month for the rest of the summer, according to my brain, it’s Halloween already. After that, we have our 8-year date-iversary and then my birthday.

I’m going to be 29 in the fall, and while I usually don’t pay much attention to birthdays, 29 has always stood out to me. It’s an age that always felt so far away, and ominously close to 30. It’s not that I dread the big 3-0 -I’m looking forward to that decade- but in my mind, I’ve always had a list of things I’ve wanted to do before I was 30. I have a lot of goals, some of them have no relationship to the others in the least (maybe that’s why they’re fun?), and I thought I’d share some of the things that are on my “before 30” bucket list. Some of these are in the works, some have now fallen off the priority ladder as they aren’t as important to me as they used to be, some are just silly… but here ya go:

Me and liv

1. Travel to Italy

2. Amp up my training certifications. (Taking my NASM PT and Weight Loss Specialist certs this summer. Looking into more options in the fall after IDEA conference)

3. Run 2 more half marathons

4. Have baby #2

5. Take mom and nana on a trip

6. Take yoga teacher training

7. Write a book

8. Watch the classic movies I’ve never seen, like Star Wars and Indiana Jones

9. Parasail

10. Teach a cooking class

11. Learn conversational Italian

12. Become a morning person (yeah, riiiiiiiight)

13. Design a fitness program for youth

14. Finish my MBA

15. Start going to acupuncture again regularly

16. Make a fitness DVD

17. Dust off the piano and play

18. Flamenco dance

19. Build a covered patio for the backyard

20. Karaoke (I used to sing, but karaoke still horrifies me for some reason)

So tell me friends: what are 5 things on your bucket list? Something that you used to really want to accomplish, but not so much anymore?

Don’t forget to check in for Summer Shape Up! How was Workout 2?! Just as fun as Workout 1? 😉

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110 Comments

  1. Joanne on June 11, 2013 at 1:28 am

    I’m 31 now but here’s a few from my list for the next 5 years:

    – Go to Greece
    – Run a 5K once a year
    – See Pink in concert (love her!)
    – Take an actual yoga class
    – Stay in a beautiful hotel overnight… by myself!

    There are some great ones on your list!

    • Fitnessista on June 11, 2013 at 1:49 am

      Love these so much!! I’ve seen pink before, and she sounds incredible live!
      xo

  2. Elle @ The Clean Project on June 11, 2013 at 1:50 am

    Aw so fun! I’m 26, before 30 I’d like to:

    1 Travel to Europe (one last big trip before #4)
    2 Get promoted at work to my dream position
    3 Move to a better/safer area
    4 Have a baby (although my husband wishes that would happen by 27 😉 )
    5 Re-learn Spanish

  3. mountain girl heidi on June 11, 2013 at 1:59 am

    I’ve never been one for a specific bucket list, and since I turn 30 in just a few months, it’s kind of an open ended list. But here goes:

    1.) Run the Jungfrau Marathon in Interlaken, Switzerland
    2.) Travel/adventure in New Zealand for *at least* one month
    3.) Live in the Pacific Northwest (Washington) or Montana again (in our forever home) and get the heck out of the midwest
    4.) Run a 1/2 marathon in all 50 states (4 states done)
    5.) Do a through hike (or a section of a through hike) like the PCT or AT

    • Amanda Lee on June 11, 2013 at 2:33 pm

      I’ve been to New Zealand. It’s incredibly gorgeous. Definitely a do.

      I was there for ~2 weeks so you talking about going for a month- jealous! 🙂

  4. Joy on June 11, 2013 at 4:02 am

    Awesome list 🙂
    Mine are
    1- I’m with you on Italy
    2- Disney princess half
    3- become a spin instructor (really looking into this)
    4- ride in a hot air balloon (no idea why this is on the list – I’m afraid of heights but its always been)
    5- open a b&b

  5. courtstar @ starsystemz on June 11, 2013 at 5:29 am

    I’m 24 so have some time till 30 and after reading this post I want to make a bucket list! Going to Europe would be number 1 and also having a baby 🙂 thanks for the motivation and I’m excited for your book! Have a great week love + shine Courtstar

  6. Katie on June 11, 2013 at 6:59 am

    I just turned 30 in March! 🙂 My list, for me, is a way to create a life that I’ve always wanted, but thought I couldn’t have because of the standards of society. 🙂

    – I’m enrolled in Yoga Teacher Training that starts in September!
    – Once I’m finished with that, my boyfriend and I plan to move to Charleston, SC! I’ve only lived in one place my entire life! So scary and exciting!
    – Join a book club
    – Start a blog (my major was English and I want to get back into writing)
    – Quit my job (I’ve never quit a professional job before and would be terrified to do it and would have to to move!)
    – Touch a snake and a frog (eek!)
    – Live a more minimalist lifestyle and try to get my boyfriend on board
    – Meditate daily

    🙂

  7. Rachel on June 11, 2013 at 7:11 am

    I love this!
    Mine are (before I’m 40!)
    1. Have baby number 2
    2. Start my own business
    3. Go on a road trip across America
    4. Get a more toned pot belly (used to be get rid of pot belly, but I’m a bit more realistic now!!)
    5. Climb a mountain

    Things that used to be on my list were:
    – write a book
    – learn several languages (would still like to do this but the impetus has slowed down)
    – buy a house
    – become a millionaire!

  8. Anne @ CandyCrazedrun.wordpress.com on June 11, 2013 at 7:29 am

    I don’t know how I feel about the statement I’m about to make but,

    I’ve always been afraid to put certain things that are largely out of my control like getting married, or having kids on a bucket list.
    I’m afraid that if I don’t reach those milestones by that age, I’ll feel badly about myself.

    That’s so cool that you want to design a fitness program for youth. Good luck with your list!

  9. Meghan @ After the Ivy League on June 11, 2013 at 8:08 am

    I have a goal list of things to do before I’m 30 too. It was about a year ago when I made it, and I already see at least 3 or 4 things that I no longer care about doing at all. And meanwhile have added a few more in my mind that I’d really like to do. Amazing how quickly things change!

  10. Liz on June 11, 2013 at 8:10 am

    I love your bucket list, some really great things to accomplish!
    My bucket list is by 25:
    1. Have baby #1 and only!
    2. Get my pro card in fitness modeling.
    3. Join a crossfit gym.
    4. Visit Australia.
    5. See all 50 States.

  11. Rachel on June 11, 2013 at 8:32 am

    This is so spooky – I turn 29 next month and wrote my “to do before 30” list this morning!

    My top five are:
    1. Gat married (slightly cheating as this is already scheduled for next May!)
    2. Run a 10k
    3. Camp overnight at a music festival
    4. Read a book a month
    5. Write a letter to my future self

  12. Amanda on June 11, 2013 at 8:34 am

    A few things:
    1. Learn Spanish
    2. Travel to Europe
    3. Take a long road trip
    4. Set up an advocacy and volunteer program for college and high school youth
    5. Learn how to drive a stick shift
    6. Learn some basic sewing/alteration skills

  13. Annie @ Annie Get Your Run on June 11, 2013 at 8:39 am

    Here’s my top 5:

    1. Travel to Paris.
    2. Run a sub-5 hour marathon. (I’m slow too, don’t let the haters get you down.)
    3. Finish my masters.
    4. Visit every state on the East Coast.
    5. Take a horseback riding lesson.

  14. Katie on June 11, 2013 at 8:53 am

    I’m 25, so some of the highlights of my Before-30 Bucket List would be:

    1) Get my PhD in composition and rhetoric — starting this at the University of Nebraska in the fall!
    2) Get a job as a professor at an awesome university
    3) Run a half marathon — Just started running and I’m finally up to six miles, but I have quite a way to go!
    4) I’ve never left the country, so I want to get my passport and take a trip outside the US
    5) Learn how to cook healthy meals for myself that don’t come out of a microwave
    6) Rescue an older dog and give him/her a good home
    7) Swim with dolphins!!! This has been on my bucket list since I was in kindergarten

    It always feels good to write those down and be re-inspired.

  15. Sarah @ Yogi in Action on June 11, 2013 at 9:03 am

    Great list!

    5 things from my bucket list before I’m 30:
    1) Live in Europe
    2) Complete my yoga teacher training
    3) Buy a house
    4) Have a baby
    5) Find a job I love

  16. Jen on June 11, 2013 at 9:11 am

    I am 34, and although I’ve accomplished certain things on my list (just got my MBA in March! YAY!) I have so many more. I think that’s what makes life great though, having something to look forward to and accomplish. Thanks for making me think!

    1. Travel back to England
    2. Learn to kayak
    3. Go on a history tour of the US in an Airstream
    4. take a “wilderness survival” class
    5. Take my son to both Disneyland and Disneyworld

  17. char eats greens on June 11, 2013 at 9:17 am

    I’d definitely say baby #2 also as well as:

    -go to Africa or Europe (I’m flexible haha)
    -become a RD
    -start my own business
    -run 5 half marathons

    This is fun. My hubby turns 30 in 4 days, but I still have 3 more years. I want to know his bucket list though…or make him create a new one for this new decade he’s entering!

  18. Ashlee@HisnHers on June 11, 2013 at 9:25 am

    A lot of my goals are the same! Become a morning person especially, but I feel the same way….yeahhhhh right! haha

  19. Danica @ It's Progression on June 11, 2013 at 9:28 am

    fun! I’m not too close to 30 yet but maybe that means now would be a good time to make a bucket list! I’d like to have (at least) 2 babies by the time I’m 30 as well : )

  20. Rebecca@Running.Food.Baby. on June 11, 2013 at 10:06 am

    I’m already 30 soooo…

    here are some “Before 40’s”

    – Run the Disney Princess half
    – Run the NYC Marathon
    – BQ
    – Go back to Australia
    – Have a written piece published
    – Get a permanent full-time job
    – Buy my first home

  21. Sarah @ Blonde Bostonian on June 11, 2013 at 10:28 am

    I’m 25 now, so my before 30 list includes:

    1. Run the Boston Marathon
    2. Get married
    3. Have something I’ve written be published nationally
    4. Go back to Europe
    5. Become more stable in my career

  22. Cassie on June 11, 2013 at 10:34 am

    I recently put together a “fitness bucket list” of all different events or active goals I want to achieve. These include:

    1) Run a full marathon by the time I’m 25
    2) Run an ultra-marathon (though it may only be an ultra-half!)
    3) Complete the CN Tower Stair Climb for WWF in Toronto, ON.
    4) Travel out of the country (Canada) for a half or full marathon – dream races include Rock n Roll Las Vegas & Rock n Roll Madrid!
    5) Finish the Spartan Beast obstacle course race

  23. kathy on June 11, 2013 at 11:04 am

    I am 44 yrs. old, but still have some goals. I believe you are never too old to have goals.

    1. run a 10k ( I would love to run a half marathon eventually)
    2. finish working on my nutrition specialist course
    3. start up some free fitness bootcamps
    4. take a vacation with my husband
    5. do more experimenting with cooking

    By the way , loved the workout yesterday. I had to modify, because my daughter was using my stability ball, trying to go into labor. So I did pushups and spiderman planks instead and did v- ups for the abs. I can’t wait to do it again, but this next time with the ball. Thanks for all that you do.

  24. Anna on June 11, 2013 at 11:12 am

    1. Get my RD
    2. Ride in a hot air balloon
    3. Start a family
    4. Buy a house
    5. Run a marathon
    6. Be working as an RD, doing something I love

  25. lauren alysse on June 11, 2013 at 11:13 am

    1. run a marathon
    2. get married
    3. win a big case (as a lawyer!)
    4. teach an environmental law class
    5. grow my own food

    this was really hard! thanks for getting me thinking about goals again! I think I need to sit down and make a big list.

  26. Kristi on June 11, 2013 at 11:51 am

    I lived in Florence for a summer in undergrad and was able to pick up enough Italian to get by and I loved it! Of course I’ve forgotten all of it now but it’s such a beautiful language and culture. And, hello, gelato. 😉

  27. Beverly Aragon on June 11, 2013 at 12:26 pm

    SSU Workout 2 is tufffff!!!!! I have balance issues like you would not believe, but I’m determined to stick with it and finish the week strong. Looking forward to some HIIT and steady state during my lunch break!

    Bucket List:
    1. Tour (and eat 🙂 my way through) Europe
    2. Try CrossFit
    3. Run a 5K with my hubby
    4. Be more dedicated to journaling/writing (hmmm…or start a blog!)
    5. Rescue a dog/cat when we’re ready to become fur parents again

  28. Ashley on June 11, 2013 at 12:54 pm

    I really want to:
    -visit ireland
    -visit south america
    -run a half marathon
    -learn to cook
    -get a dog

  29. Jackie on June 11, 2013 at 12:56 pm

    Well, I too am turning 29 in the fall. It is difficult for me to wrap my head around because my life has definitely not taken the path that I had expected. I had expected that I’d be married with a kid or two by this point. None of that has happened. So, my “bucket list” is the same, but I can no longer set it up to be before 30 for some of them.

    1)Fall in Love/Get Married
    2)Have kids (though probably won’t happen before 30)
    3)Get into event planning
    4)Visit spain
    5)Refresh my spanish language skills

  30. Brigid on June 11, 2013 at 1:25 pm

    I will 29 in September, and I actually made a list when I turned 28. So much of it is alreafy obsolete! I put things like “go camping,” but I frankly have no desire to sleep outside. Ha! Here are five that I actually do plan to accomplish:

    1. Have a baby (in December!).
    2. Write a TV pilot (husband and I are collaborating now).
    3. Make a huge dent in my debt.
    4. Find a regular volunteer position (starting in August!).
    5. Run a 10k.

    • Brigid on June 11, 2013 at 1:27 pm

      Ugh, I will *turn* 29 in September. Good grief.

  31. Anna J on June 11, 2013 at 1:39 pm

    As someone who also used to work at lulu, I can get behind this goal-oriented post 😉

    My ‘by 30′ bucket list:
    1 – Graduate law school with a ballin’ articling position
    2 – Travel to India
    3 – Learn a new language/re-learn Spanish
    4 – Start a blog
    5 – Finish a half marathon under 2 hours!

  32. Tracy on June 11, 2013 at 1:47 pm

    Just a few:

    Go to Italy with my husband and see the Pope.
    Learn French.
    Go to The Ellen Show!!
    Start a new career.
    Take my kids on a caribbean vacay.

    But I’ve passed 30 so it’s definitely not my “before 30” list!!

    Btw I loved turning 30! I felt like I was instantly treated with more respect.

  33. Victoria @ Reluctantly Skinny on June 11, 2013 at 1:55 pm

    – get certified to teach yoga
    – get married
    – move out of NY
    – visit denmark
    – have zero debt

    I’ve given up all hope of being a morning person =)

  34. Nice! Italy shows up twice really in your list – I’ve been living here for 10 years and I’m happy to send some recommendations or help make that happen if I can!

  35. FitBritt@MyOwnBalance on June 11, 2013 at 2:54 pm

    When I turned 29 I was kind of mourning the impending loss of my 20s, I mean, it was such a good decade! I then created my own 30 Under 30 list and began actually looking forward to all the cool things I would accomplish by the time I was 30, not to mention all the things I would accomplish after that. Posting about each event as I checked them off my list got me really excited for 30 plus it was an excellent form of self-reflection and goal defining.

    I really love your list! Lots of great things on there! I might steal some for my 35 under 35! 😉

  36. Shaina Anderson on June 11, 2013 at 3:26 pm

    Muuuuuch better workout today. Lesson learned: I am not a 530am workout kind of girl. Went back to the normal routine of sleeping until 7ish and working out during Tripp’s nap @ 11 and killed it! I did a Brazil Butt Lift DVD and then 20 min of HIIT (stairs/jump squats/jump switch lunges alternating with abs in between)…it was about 55 min total. I’m a sweaty mess!

    • Fitnessista on June 11, 2013 at 3:35 pm

      whoo hoo! how do you like those dvds? i’ve wanted to try them!

  37. Morgan on June 11, 2013 at 3:45 pm

    You have never seen Star Wars?? smh…lol

    #1- Get my butt in shape and get to a healthy weight

    #2- Run a 5k

    #3- Beautifully organize my entire house

    #4- Go to Disney World & Land

    #5- Start my own business

    *Bonus*- Do all the crafty ‘pins’ I pin on Pinterest (say that 5 times fast!)

    Thank you for sharing this post, I love the more personal posts. 🙂

  38. Sasha on June 11, 2013 at 7:38 pm

    I want to hear you sing girl!!!!!!

  39. Alice on June 11, 2013 at 9:29 pm

    I am 38, and think we should do a top 5 accomplishment list! I am reading everyone’s great comments an feel both proud of what I’ve done and reminded also of what i still want to do.. No age limit!

    I have run 2 marathons- I’d like to run one without injury and on a real program!
    I have done 4 tris – I want to complete an ironman
    I have 2 kids- I am completely ok now with not having 3 (and am seeing the blessings I have!)
    I want to travel! That seems to be a theme.

    I want to do inversions without walls or other help
    I want to do chin-up(s)

    But overall, I have to say I’m pretty dang content!

  40. Angela Creamer on June 11, 2013 at 11:50 pm

    My #40 will be here before I know it, but before then, I want to…
    1) design and move into my new house
    2) teach my daughter to drive
    3) go out of the country with my hubby
    4) go to Yosemite again and hike, hike, hike
    5) learn to not sweat the small stuff.

  41. Amanda on June 12, 2013 at 6:34 am

    I generally love everything goal related 🙂 I’m 25, and while I would love to be married with a kiddo by 30, for me, I’m not making that a ‘goal’, cos it’ll happen when it happens.

    That said, before 30 I would love to:

    1. Get my spanish up to fluency.
    2. Travel to Mexico and Cuba (will help 1.)
    3. Live overseas again.
    4. Get a masters degree.
    5. Skydive.

  42. Mollie on June 12, 2013 at 8:42 am

    I made a bucket list when I was 19. It had at least 30 things on it (from sky-diving to traveling to gardening to learning languages). When I was 25 or so I found it by chance and realized that I’d done pretty much everything on it ….AND that I didn’t have anything to add.

    I’m 30 now and I’ve realized that the things I want now are not the kind that can be checked off a bucket list. Most of the things I want now are the kind you have to just keep working at your whole life: a calm mind and a healthy body, a strong marriage and bonds with family and friends, and to constantly improve myself in my field and (hopefully) make a meaningful contribution.

  43. Amy on June 12, 2013 at 3:44 pm

    I love that one of them is “teach a cooking class.” Ummm…helllooo. YOU DO! You teach a nationwide class! At least thats how I feel when I read your new recipe posts!

    • Fitnessista on June 12, 2013 at 6:24 pm

      ahhh thank you! 🙂

  44. Sarah on June 12, 2013 at 8:06 pm
  45. Amanda on June 13, 2013 at 1:58 am

    I turn 29 next week!

    1) Run another full marathon-this time under 5 hours.
    2) Help organize a fundraiser for a charity that is important to me
    3) Take a 2nd honeymoon with my husband
    4) Make plans for and/or have baby #2
    5) Learn to do a pull-up

  46. Alexis on June 13, 2013 at 3:14 am

    I just turned 30 this year but I’ve had a “bucket list” (I’ve always called it my “To Do” list) since I was 20 and I’ve made awesome progress on it, though I’m constantly adding things so it’ll never be complete:) some of the biggest things that I am most proud of accomplishing in the last 10 years:
    -Master’s degree
    -Live in a developing country (did this twice!)
    -Travel solo (I strongly believe every woman should experience traveling solo in a foreign country. It’s truly life changing.)
    -Work on a dude ranch (I was a huge “Hey Dude!” fan as a kid haha, but this was seriously one of the best summers of my life)
    -Bungee jump in New Zealand
    -Dive on the Great Barrier Reef

    My list also includes smaller things, like learning to play tennis and to meditate. But travel is a huge part of my life and who I am, so its the bulk of my list. Two things that my husband knows MUST be crossed off before I’ll talk babies:
    -Summit Mt. Kilimanjaro
    -Skydive!

  47. Nicole @ Work in Sweats Mama on June 13, 2013 at 5:07 pm

    Just found you via My Healthy Nest! Love your bucket list. I missed the window for my ‘before 30’ list, but I’m always adding to my bucket list with big and little goals:

    Live abroad while my girls are young
    Backpack across Europe with my hubby
    Hike the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim in a day
    Travel, travel, and more travel!
    Run the Boston Marathon
    Break 20 minutes in the 5K
    Complete an Ironman (this one may have to wait until my girls are little older)

  48. Ilane @cultiv8health on July 11, 2013 at 11:51 pm

    Oh my gosh, your list is awesome. You have accomplished so much already, and I am certain you will fulfill those soon.

    Where in Italy? Rome, Venice, Capri, Florence, Milan…?

    I would love to 1) find a nice job after our move to CA from Texas this Fall, 2) become an RD, 3) have a baby, 4) visit Turkey and/or Maldives), 5) exercise at least 5 times per week (have certifications and become a yoga, pilates or zumba instructor would be wonderful).

  49. Jaclyn on September 30, 2013 at 8:58 pm

    Gina! I just stumbled across this post and I think you’re well on your way to hitting a lot of your bucket list items! Way to go! xo

    • Fitnessista on October 7, 2013 at 12:46 am

      thank you! 🙂

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