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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I’m still working on deciding what I want to be when I grow up as well. Always throws my college students for a loop when their Psychology professor tells them that lol. Best of luck achieving your goals this year!
Wow, what a wonderful 2012. Liv has grown so much!
PS: I love the idea of an inspiration board. I might have to do that for 2013.
Hi Gina!
I’ve done your project for a couple years now and I love it! I also love that it is on Pinterest now so that I can ALWAYS go back to it, not lose it, not have to put it away when guests come!
http://pinterest.com/barbbhoww/2013-inspiration-board/
It’s a work in progress. 2013 is going to be a GREAT year, I can feel it.
Her birthday is next week!? Oh my goodness! Time flies 🙂
Just started working on my inspiration board…love this idea!
http://pinterest.com/maryjz/inspiration-board/
This is a great idea! I think your appreciation of your life makes you a true inspiration!
In all honesty, this year is the first that I’ve really made goals for the new year and I feel refreshed and ready to conquer – I am excited to make some changes and see where life takes me over the next year!
Here’s my inspiration board:
http://pinterest.com/tonya86/inspirationboard/
These are great goals. Some of my fitness goals are to drink more water! Also to grow closer to God and pray more and be a good wife and step mom
I really enjoy how you, Caitlin @ healthy tipping point, and Ashley @neverhomemaker are making a point to stress moderation and reprioritizing that comes with kids.
I first started reading your blog because it was the only fitness blog that felt accessible to me as a non-fitness person.
May you and yours have an amazing 2013 – I hope you go on that trip to Italy and enjoy it for all its worth.
i appreciate the kind words so much, julia <3
and yes, changing things around is definitely necessary with kid(s), but so worth it.
hope you have a very happy new year!
xoxo
I didn’t mention I have two little ones (3 and 6 mos) my self. It is busy for sure!
Mine is small and not very colorful, but I decided to keep the resolutions to a minimum this year. Rather than list a bunch of things to try/hope to accomplish, I decided to pick 7 reasonable goals that I think I can *actually* succeed at!
Happy New Year!
http://pinterest.com/chinadespain/inspirationboard/
I have never done an inspiration board, but I love the idea. My 17 year old daughter is doing the 12 Days of Christmas challenge with me. I think we need to schedule a mother/daughter date, including my 12 year old daughter also, and make boards for this year. Perfect timing as the eldest graduates this year and the youngest becomes a teenager. Sounds like a great time to start a new tradition with my girls!
There are some great goals on your list. It’s a fantastic idea to put them all in one place so here is my board http://pinterest.com/jed1982/inspirationboard/
I hope you have a wonderful 2013 filled with love, laughter and happiness!
Happy New Year Gina & family!!!
You inspire me everyday fitness wise and life wise!!! I’m hoping I can improve on my eating and exercise routines this year as well as deal with stress a little bit better.
Thank you so much for bringing these things into my life on a daily basis!!!
ox – Gina (your friend from Massachusetts)
*so happy Bella has a BFF & Liv has another fur friend
thank you, gina (great name, btw haha)
and thank you so much for reading <3
Hello Gina!
I love you posts! I love the New Year and the feeling of a fresh start. I also love your inspiration board idea. I started one and am finding it really motivating! Check mine out! http://pinterest.com/erinrenae/inspirationboard/
Erin
When we move to Italy, you guys can come stay with us 😉 happy new year girl!
Hey Gina, I discovered your blog a month ago and love it! I seriously love that you said you want to get better at typing on the iphone and miss your blackberry. I have the same problem!
I have been following your blog for just over a year now and it helped motivate me through a few rough patches, so major thanks for that!! I hope you can see just how much your blog inspires!
I’m totally starting an inspiration 2013 board (when I was an Educator at lululemon they gave me the idea, but I didn’t follow through due to my prego exhaustion and pukyness last year then this nifty blog reminded me!)
Again, huge thanks for being an inspiration! You remind me that fitness, mommahood, personal goals and time with the hubby is possible but you keep it real that plans change.
I look forward to continuing to pop in for my daily fitnessista fix!
Thanks again!!!
Happy New Year Gina!!! Hope you have a wonderful, happy, and healthy year ahead for you and your family! I love the idea of a pinterest vision board. I actually have a 10 year vision one on mine so why not create a board for this year. So fun!
Gina, that’s genius!! I’m going to make an inspiration board on Pinterest too! I’ve always avoided making one bc I’m noooot arts and crafty, but Pinterest is totally doable. Thank you for the encouragement and positivity your blog brings daily. 🙂
Happy New Year!
P.S. Here’s a link to my board: http://pinterest.com/apinktypewriter/2013-inspirationboard/
awesome, thanks for linking to it!
thank you, friend 🙂 happy new year!
I love that post Gina. Such a nice round up of your 2012 and a great list of goals. I am with you on the clean closet. I am always so proud when I cleaned it up I even go back several times to just look at it 😉 but maybe also because I know that it always only lasts for about 1 month….. Happy New Year to you and your adorable family!! Ps. So glad that you plan to continue writing, I love it!!!
thank you- you too! and yes, you guys are stuck with me for a while 😉
glad to know i’m not the only one who gets super excited about a clean closet!
xoxo
Love the idea of an Inspiration Board on Pinterest! 🙂
http://pinterest.com/rowemg/inspirationboard/
You just made me feel so relieved that you don’t know what you want to be when you grow up. I’m going to be 25 years old and have absolutely no idea.
ehhh, we still have time 🙂
i’m lucky to do so many things that i love, but am still searching for the one thing i’m really good at that i’ll be able to expand and move up with. at my teaching job, there aren’t any opportunities for advancement.
I like the goal of being the person you want to see in others. That is something I strive for too, and I feel like most people just have goals of what they want to accomplish. It’s important to also have goals that aren’t as tangible but equally as meaningful!
Gosh I have a job using the degree I went to college for and I’m not in love with it and just don’t want to stay…still trying to figure that out for myself, too!
<3
It sounds like your 2012 was an amazing year! 🙂 Those ups and downs are something I think most of us have had to endure.. The thing to think about is where you are at the end of them! Sounds like you and your family are doing good! I love your goals for 2013!!
Happy New Year!! I like your idea of an inspiration board, so here is mine (a work in progress)!:
http://pinterest.com/jaimie1217/inspirationboard/
Love the wrap up of 2012 and wishing you and your fam all the best in 2013!!
Love your goals and outlook on the future. I, too, still can’t fully get used to typing on my iPhone!
Love the career goals! I spent 7 years getting my undergrad and masters and still contemplate packing it all in and pursuing a career as a yoga teacher. I am hoping to find my purpose in 2013 : )
Happy New Year Gina! Love your Pinterest idea…I’m going to start working on mine soon!
My goals this year involve bringing more attention to my wellness, creating a balance of the many different things I love, obtain a book deal for my manuscript through my amazing lit agent, and to accomplish my 30 by 30 goals!
http://pinterest.com/kelsnotchels/2013-inspirationboard/
LOVE your goals- keep up the great work 🙂
Working on my board! Will you be picking on Friday? I want to finish mine up 🙂 thanks Gina !
yes, i will! xoxo
Happy new year!
At first I thought I wouldn’t like doing a inspiration board on pinterest. I tend to do better with something I have to see everyday but then I realized how much easy it is to pin items than actually make a board.
I plan on working on mine more tonight.
http://pinterest.com/ekaty84/inspirationboard/
*easier
Wow I can’t believe her birthday is next week! I bet you have an amazing party planned and I can’t wait to read about it.
Here is my Pinterest inspiration board:
http://pinterest.com/LS1030/inspirationboard/
i’ve been slacking on the party planning, but really excited for it.
love your board so far!
Thanks for the motivation. Here is the link to my inspiration board. It revolves around being a better mommy, cleaning up my eats and just being a better human being in general. “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
http://pinterest.com/hpohland/inspirationboard/
love it! xoxo
I never thought to make a Pinterest Board.
Here’s mine. Its not complete but a start.
http://pinterest.com/MissouriATC/2013-inspiration-board-inspirationboard/
looks great so far!
Thanks for the motivation to organize my 2013 goals into an Inspiration Board. I just spent the last hour pinning and feel motivated to make some wonderful changes to fulfil my needs as well as my roles as a wife, mom and blogger.
Here is a link to my board:
http://pinterest.com/mariapeters1/inspirationboard/
Thanks for the Inspiration Board idea. I loved it. Also the one you pinned about listening to your kids. So important, My 20 year old is an open book. It comes from always listening to her when she was young, The key is to not react when you hear something shocking! LOL
http://pinterest.com/atucker529/2013-inspiration-board/
that’s good to know- i’ll remember that one 🙂
This is my first inspiration board…I think it’s such a great idea and pinterest makes it so much fun!
http://pinterest.com/cmmidd84/inspiration-board/
Hey there!
I’m another Olivia, and just so you know, I never met an Olivia who didn’t thank her mom every day for getting the name. 🙂 Love the blog, and love the idea of the inspiration board, especially on Pinterest. I’ll have to get cracking on that one! Happy New Year!
Olivia
haha i love it! and yes, it’s the best name ever 😉
Hi Gina!
Thank you for another wonderful year of blogging! Your blog has inspired me to strike a happy, healthy balance in my life, and I couldn’t be more grateful!!
I love the idea of a 2013 inspiration board on Pinterest, and I love yours! Here’s a link to my board: http://pinterest.com/sbachman/2013-inspiration-board/
thank you so much for reading, shelby 🙂
can’t wait to check out your board. xoxo
Happy New Year!
I haven’t fully gotten into pinterest yet – but maybe this year 🙂
I’m loving looking through all of these boards! Mine is here: http://pinterest.com/aj290006/inspirationboard-2013/
Here’s to a wonderful, healthy, and happy 2013 for everyone! 🙂
2012 was a year of ups and downs for me…. graduated with my Master’s degree and started teaching, got out of a toxic 4-year relationship, learned to enjoy living on my own, and started a new relationship. Even on the worst of days I realized everything life throws at me is a lesson! That being said, heres to 2013 being a year full of happiness, because in the end that’s my one and only resolution, to be happy!
http://pinterest.com/anburdick23/inspiration-board/
that is a LOT to happen in the span of a year. big life transformations like that are challenging, but like you said, there’s always a lesson (and the ability to look back, be glad it’s over and that you made it)
sending love to you for a happy new year.
I love love love the idea of a Pinterest Inspiration Board. This way you can add to it all year! Here is mine so far!
http://pinterest.com/funfitfabulous/inspirationboard/
Happy New Year Gina! Wishing you and your family health and happiness in 2013!
thank you- wishes for a happy healthy year for you too
Thanks for the idea! It will be a great reminder during the year to keep me accountable. Here is my board so far:
http://pinterest.com/janetrippel/inspirationboard/
love- great job!
I love this idea! Here is my board which will also be a work in progress: http://pinterest.com/whitney105/inspirationboard/
love it so far! xoxo
Going to make a paper journal inspiration book too, but loved this idea so had to start one….
Thank you for all you do here at Fitnessista.com….always a joy to read your posts.
Happy new Year….
http://pinterest.com/sungurl/inspirationboard/
thank you so much for reading!
This is an awesome idea and project! Having the visuals is really what I need to stay motivated and this is perfect!
2012 was more of a low year than some, but these last few months have made me eager for starting this new year. I love writing down goals anyway and what better way to share them! Thanks for this great idea.
http://pinterest.com/addisontaylor/inspirationboard/
sending happy wishes to you- 2013 will be a good one.
Here’s my board so far http://pinterest.com/suziconfesses/2013-goals/
I can’t wait to see what 2013 has in store for all of us! 😀 <3
amen to that, my zumba friend 🙂
xoxo
Hi! Love (love!) your blog!!! Also, happy new year!!! Currently, I am in Phoneix and was wondering if you recommend any resturants? Or have some top favorites? We are in the Awatukee/Chandler area (spelling? Haha) Thanks very much!!!!! : )
happy new year to you, too!
YES! seasons 52 and true food- both at the biltmore
xoxo
Here is my board, I love this idea!
http://pinterest.com/whitney105/inspirationboard/
amazing!
Fantastic post- best of luck with your goals for this year 🙂