In the New Year…
2012 was an amazing, amazing year. It definitely went by a little more quickly than I would have liked, but was a life-changer. Livi was born in the very beginning of the year (I’m still in shock that her birthday is next week!) and we’ve also added a fur sister for Bella. Our house and hearts feel very full and happy.
When I made my inspiration board for 2012, my main goals were to deliver a healthy baby and provide all of the things she needed: love, warmth, food and a safe, happy home. At first, I thought I had a lot of fitness and career-related aspirations, but knew that it was more important to me to focus on my new role as a mom and aim to maintain where I was career-wise. I wanted to enjoy every possible moment with our family and can definitely say I succeeded with that one. From our first year together, from the day we brought Livi home from the hospital to our first Christmas, I have so many beautiful and vivid memories that will stay with me forever.
Fitness-wise, my main goal was to find time to work out again consistently. I missed the mental benefits of working out and eventually was able to get back into a fitness routine, teach classes (and even added some new ones to the rotation that I couldn’t teach while pregnant) and have done two Zumbathons, two half marathons, a 10k and a couple of 5ks. My workouts are much shorter now (usually 45 minutes or less) and I wouldn’t have it any other way. This year I’ve learned a lot about prioritizing (if I’m tired, I skip the gym and go to bed early) and time management. It’s an equal mix of planning and flexibility, because I never know what the day will bring.
It has also been a challenging year for Tom and myself. While we’ve certainly been through a lot together (three deployments, countless TDYs, living across the country from each other, moving), becoming parents, while absolutely incredible, can put a different type stress on a marriage. We’re definitely not perfect, but we’ve worked hard as a team this year and have become stronger than we’ve ever been. We’ve experienced high highs, and low lows, all within the span of a year. I couldn’t be more fortunate to have him as a husband, partner and dad to Oliv (and the pups!).
It’s going to be tough for 2013 to beat 2012, but I have a good feeling about it 😉 We want to plan one big trip as a family and will also get a better idea of where we may be living a year from now. I’m excited to see what 2013 will bring 🙂
Here are some of my goals for the upcoming year:
Personal goals:
-Continue to plan fun adventures with Liv: library, children’s museum, play dates, baby class. Each day, I like to think of something to do, whether it’s a small arts project or impromptu picnic.
-Organize our closet… and keep it clean! I actually went through our closet Sunday night, organized everything and also did Liv’s closet (bringing out clothes that will fit her, packing away the too-small items). Here’s hoping it lasts for more than a week 😉
-Become more efficient at typing on the iPhone. I still miss my Blackberry for this very reason and have the worst time typing on the iPhone. Maybe I just have giant fingers?!
-Continue to make the blog as informational, fun and easy-to-navigate as possible. Along with this, I really need to take some kind of photography class and would also like to improve my Lightroom skills.
-Go to bed earlier. I’ve been saying this for the past couple of months, but it’s gotta happen. Liv goes to bed around 7:30 and Tom and I will end up staying up until midnight. Even if Tom has to stay up to do Master’s homework, I’m going to try and go upstairs by 10 each night at the latest.
-Travel somewhere amazing. We’ve been wanting to go to Italy for years and have put it off due to moving and deployment schedules. We’ve decided to just take Liv with us and go for it. Whether it’s Italy, NYC (my fave!) or somewhere tropical, we’re planning a vacay.
-Read more
-Pray more
-Go on more date nights
-Be the type of person I want to see in others- always working to be more generous, compassionate and kind.
Fitness goals:
-Beat my half marathon PR.
-Lead a Zumbathon.
-Develop a new dance cardio class format.
(my Zumba BFFs)
Career goals:
-I still have no clear idea of what I want to be when I grow up and am always brainstorming things I’d love to start or create. This year is going to be a year for me to explore my passions and figure out a path for the future. It’s time to focus and take action.
Pinterest challenge!
Last year, when I made my inspiration board, I appreciated a tangible reminder of what I’d like to accomplish in the new year. I didn’t realize that there was another way, until I was sitting at the breakfast nook taping photos to a sparkly piece of paper. Pinterest! Derp. I fought Pinterest for the same reason I write to-do lists on paper instead of using my phone, but this year, I am happy to welcome a little technology. Please feel free to create your inspiration board with 2013 goals and the hashtag #inspirationboard . Leave a link to your board in the comments – I’ll pick 5 to feature this Friday and will send ya a little prize 🙂 You can check out mine here, if you’d like (still a work in progress).
Everyday, I’m so thankful just to be alive and for all of the blessings we have. I feel like a lucky girl, in so many ways, and can’t wait to see what’s in store for lucky # ’13.
Happy New Year!
xoxo
Gina
What are some of your fitness, personal and career goals?
Don’t forget- it’s day 7 of 12 days of Fitness!
7 tricep dips
6 pull-ups (resistance band rows or weighted deadlifts if you’re at home)
4 toe touches (each side)
3 mountain climbers (each side)
2 pushups
1-minute plank (can be 6 rounds of 10 seconds up, rest for 3 seconds)
121 Comments
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Liv was so tiny! Can’t believe how fast time passes, it’s scary! My little guy is almost 10 months. Sigh. Day 7 of 12 done!
“We’ve experienced high highs, and low lows, all within the span of a year. I couldn’t be more fortunate to have him as a husband”.
This is exactly how I feel about my marriage. Through the ups and the downs….we’ve grown together.
Wow! Liv was so little! Love the sleeping pic of you two!
Let me know if you end up planning on Italy – would love to give you some tips about visiting here and be helpful! 🙂
that would be amazing, thank you!
I’m so looking forward to an amazing 2013 and loved using Pinterest to create an inspiration board ~
http://pinterest.com/jmokane/2013-inspiration/
I want to go to Italy, NYC or somewhere tropical!!! 🙂 what a wonderful year 2012 was for you! I’m sure that 2013 will only have more amazing stuff to come for you! 🙂
http://pinterest.com/gi_na/inspirationboard/
I love all of these goals! I hope 2013 is everything you wish it to be. I’ll definitely be joining you in making a pinterest inspiration board!
Thanks so much for the Pinterest inspiration. I feel like I lost track the last two years and did not really stick to my goals because everything/everyone else came first: my career, family, long-distance-boyfriend. Even though I work out regularly, I don’t do it right. Standing on the cross trainer for hours won’t do you body any good and my eats have been horrifying (either starving because I worked to much or overindulging). This year’s motto will be MODERATION. I am really looking forward to your blogposts in 2013 and will continue to change my workouts to be more effective.
So, here’s my board in progress: http://pinterest.com/letoiles/inspiration-board/
Happy New Year to you and your fam and good luck with the trip to Italy or maybe Europe 🙂 There are so many beautiful countries to visit 🙂
Happy New Year, Gina! I’m excited to continue following along with the blog 🙂
http://pinterest.com/jkadidas21/inspirationboard-2013-resolutions/
Fitness and career huh? Specifically I want to get back to running and swimming more. No real distance or goal in mind other than more…because right now I’m doing none and it sucks.
Career wise, I want to start a program for my MBA and take on more interesting projects in my current role.
Here’s my board. You’ve always been an inspiration but doing this board I think will help even more!
http://pinterest.com/trijn505/inspirationboard/
Beautiful post! Here is my inspiration for 2013 🙂
http://pinterest.com/lauraboy/inspirationboard/
I love the new year! This is a great way to stay accountable too since there are so many peeps on pinterest 🙂 I will probably print mine in some fashion as well.
http://pinterest.com/missjosephine03/2013/
Here is my inspiration board for 2013! I love this idea – thank so much for sharing!
http://pinterest.com/ncapp22/inspirationboard/
Being one semester into my grad school program I can only wish to continue the same way I started, and to keep liking what I do.
Fitness wise, I am starting the year by dropping out of my fist marathon due to various issues, but I am confident 2013 is the year I will get that marathon finisher’s medal. I also want to improve my swimming and do a triathlon, and to get my Zumba certification and start teaching.
I am also working on being more organized this year, and on being more careful with my finances.
My inspiration board, just like my life, is still a work in progress:
http://pinterest.com/dianabarabas/inspirationboard/
I had so much fun creating my Pinterest inspiration board- what a great way to mindful of new goals.Time to get started!!
http://pinterest.com/kristenmartzan/2013-inspiration-board-inspirationboard/
http://pinterest.com/onehappypanda/2013-inspiration/
Here’s my board! I’ve got a few different resolutions- some fitness and health (more veggies, work on strength, do more yoga), some personal (take care of friendships, read more books), some general themes like taking more risks and staying connected to others. Cheers to 2013!
cheers!
I keep trying… but I still can’t get into Pinterest. (weird, I know.)
But I might make an old-school inspiration board again! Nothing makes you feel like a 14 year old girl again as much as making a magazine collage! 🙂
Glue stick… where you at?!
send it to meeeee!
This pinterest board is so much fun! And way cheaper than getting some magazines. I always try to do my vision board with ones I have around the house, but that never works out. Somehow the magazines with the latest trashy headlines always seem to have the pictures I need 😉
Here’s my board! Work in progress: http://pinterest.com/shainaleigh99/2013-goals/
What a great idea!
I have been thinking about my new year’s goals and now I have them in a place I can go to so that I can be reminded!
Cheers to a great 2013!
http://pinterest.com/nmk8/inspirationboard/
I’m stoked about this! I made my inspiration board two years ago and I still have it, so it’s time to get a fresh start to 2013! Here’s mine: http://pinterest.com/meljoda/inspirationboard/
I also just wanted to say that your family is beautiful, and thank you for all of the hard work that goes into your blog!! I read it daily 🙂
thank you, melissa- i appreciate it so much!
Here’s mine in the works.
http://pinterest.com/hkharper/inspirationboard/
I love your board. Great idea My inspiration board: (still in process too)
http://pinterest.com/fitcupcaker/inspiration/
The Pinterest board is such a great idea. LOVE IT!!!!
http://pinterest.com/randomsally/inspirationboard/
What a great idea! Love Pinterest, and I think having it there will keep it on my mind all year long.
http://pinterest.com/yencha/inspirationboard-2013
I love the idea! Thanks so much, I’m really into this right now! This is mine in progress : http://pinterest.com/lunariae/inspirationboard-2013/
Oooooo I love that sweater you’re wearing while holding Livi. I’m 20 weeks pregnant (!) and looking for a comfy cozy sweater that I can wear now but also afer pregnancy. 🙂 Where is it from? Or do you have good ideas for maternity wear that can work afterward too?
thank you! it’s an old one from lululemon- the flashback pullover. i hope they bring it back!
during pregnancy i wore almost all of my lululemon clothes and some things from for two fitness
xoxo
Starting a pinterest board is a great idea! I got so many great ideas from the boards other people linked to. This year I tried to set a few concrete goals and a few more abstract ones, from painting my living room to being more present. I think 2013 is going to be a great year!
http://pinterest.com/akschentrup/2013-inspiration/
I’m not done yet but here is what I have so far! 🙂
http://pinterest.com/jennis15/inspiration-board/
http://pinterest.com/MaryKateSt/inspirationboard/
I had so much fun making this and am looking forward to 2013!
http://pinterest.com/caralangevin/inspiration-board/
this is such a great idea!
my work in progress:
http://pinterest.com/laurenalysse/2013/
Cook clean do something in 2013. http://pinterest.com/whitbenj/inspirationboard/
xoxoxo
beautiful family and a beautiful year you’ve had! looking forward to seeing what 2013 has to bring 🙂
http://pinterest.com/karissar13/inspirationboard/ – oops, my pinterest 🙂
Happy new year!! I’m somewhat new to Pinterest and am working on my boards. Here’s what I’ve got so far…. http://pinterest.com/mjcassalia/inspiration/
My favorite quote is “no matter how slow you go, you are still lapping everybody oh the couch.” It’s fueled a couple of my runs this new year. 🙂
I meant “no matter how slow you go, you are still lapping everybody ON the couch.” 🙂 New Year’s aspiration as of today — slow down and proofread more!! 🙂
What a good idea. Here’s my board: http://pinterest.com/yencha/inspirationboard-2013/
My board is named “working on my fitness” but it’s my ongoing fitness and Weightloss board for all things I find motivating and healthy
http://pinterest.com/kristen_herrera/workin-on-my-fitness/