Show me your [inspiration] board
Happy almost New Year! 😉 I love this time of year for many reasons; and selfishly, I really love it because my classes at the gym are extra packed.
Some of favorite moments of 2014:
-Moving to San Diego
(See you again, one of these days, Tucson house!)
-Traveling to Mountain Trek in BC, Canada
-Finishing my NASM CPT and Weight Loss Specialist certifications, in addition to Les Mills BODYPUMP certification
-Fun travel with blog friends!
-Teaching at a new gym and barre studio. I’m lucky to be working with kind and knowledgeable instructors in beautiful studios here in San Diego.
-FINISHING “HIIT It!” Thank you so much to those of you who have sent me photos of your book and for all of the support so far. You are so special to me, and I’m so thankful for you all. Last chance to get your free eBook!
-Lots and lots of family beach days. 🙂
I’ve already shared my fitness resolutions for the new year, but each year, I also like to create an inspiration board. Initially, I would make these with glittery paper and magazine cut-outs, and hang it in a visible spot (like the closet wall) to remain mindful of my goals each day. If you have a visual reminder of your goals, you’re more likely to create momentum and actions towards achieving them. Now in the glorious age of Pinterest, it’s even easier to create an inspiration board. You can pin quotes, photos, and how-tos for the upcoming year.
I like to pick a few different sets of goals for these categories: personal, career and health.
Personal:
-Work on my patience. This is something I’m always working towards, and is one of the areas where having a child has really helped me. I’m constantly in a go-go-go frenzy, which is not really necessary. Liv reminds me to sloooooow down and enjoy the moment. There have been so many times when I’ve thought about the errands we *need* to run, or the cleaning I *need* to do, and drop it to read a book or play dolls with her. These are the moments of life, right there. With my increased focus on remaining present, It’s not to say that I couldn’t improve; I look at someone like my nana, who is an angel of patience, and would like to have more.
-Work on compassion. As I’ve gotten older (dirty thirty baby! haha), I’ve turned my mindset from defense to compassion. When someone says or does something that I don’t necessarily agree with, at first I would put on my defense face and fire back. I’ve learned to switch this to compassion and first try to understand where they’re coming from, or why they may be acting a certain way. I also want to explore ways where I can help others who are hurting or in need. Even if it’s just being there for someone, I want to know that I made the effort. I’ve mentioned before that I’m dangerously empathetic, but you can’t create actions out of feelings alone.
-Work on being the best mom, wife, sister, friend I can be. This can mean being a better wife by spending more time with the Pilot, and also taking care of myself, because I’m a better person all around when my oxygen mask is on (which involves a little gym time and a little quiet alone time each day).
-Explore going back to school. I dropped out of the MBA program while we were in Valdosta, and wish I would have stuck it out another year and finished, even if I’m not using it in a traditional sense. I miss school, and even though I probably won’t go back until hopefully-future-baby-2 is in preschool, I think it would be cool to check out some options. There are a lot of online MBA programs, or if we’re back in Tucson by that time, I’d like to do the one year program at Eller (my alma mater).
Career:
-Finish my Women’s Fitness Specialist certification. I’m already cranking along on this one, and really enjoying the course material so far. I’ll write a full post about my experience when it’s done!
-Write my proposal for book concept #2. Already have a couple of ideas up my sleeve. I loved writing book one, and would be thrilled for the opportunity to do another.
-Explore DVD #2. I still would like to put something together for digital download! What format would you guys like to see? I was thinking of a full Barre Blast class.
-Improve my photography skills. Since I actually learned how to use my camera, I’ve found that I actually enjoy photography. I’d love to learn new tips and tricks, especially with lighting and settings.
-Wrap up another huge project that’s in the works (sorry I have to be lame-vague right now, but I promise it will be worth the wait!).
Health:
–My fitness goals are here, and I would like to work towards all of these in 2015.
-Meditate more often, or just enjoy a bit of silence each day. The world is a noisy place (background TV, teaching, social media, music, toddler, life), I really enjoy a little quiet time at the end of the day. Whether it’s a nice stretch, short meditation podcast, or reading in bed, it recharges and invigorates me.
-Reduce stress and anxiety. I’ve always been an anxious person, and it goes in waves, depending on what’s going on. Talking with others about it, and the reminder to stay present (instead of two steps ahead in the future) has helped a ton. By keeping my life organized (thank you, Erin Condren planner), it helps reduce stress dramatically.
-Prioritize sleep. We go through waves where we go to bed early, and I wake up refreshed and ready, or we stay up way too late and I hit the snooze button 1028 times. Sleep is a huge part of a healthy lifestyle, and something I’d like to emphasize in the new year.
(my board is here on Pinterest)
Some tips for new years goals:
Start small and build from there. Don’t do something you can’t see yourself maintaining for the long term. One thing I like to stress to clients is that anything we do, they should be able to continue to do for the long run. Try to avoid overwhelming yourself with too many goals, and instead focus on small steps and build from there.
Gather a support group. Surround yourself with friends who will support you and check in to see how you’re doing. Having an accountability partner can impact success, and it can also make the journey more fun!
Add something new to spice up your routine. To prevent plateaus, continuously shake up your schedule and routine. Experiment with new healthy ingredients or recipes, try a new fitness class, or take your workout outside. Try to think of little ways each week to add some excitement.
Reward yourself along the way. A facial, new pair of sneakers, fitness gadget, or workout tank/capris usually do the trick for me!
Make an inspiration board! Like I mentioned many times before, having a visual reminder of goals can make us more likely to accomplish them. You’ll create momentum each day towards your goals, and retain consciousness of what you’d like to achieve. You can use paper, magazine clippings, glue and glitter, or make a Pinterest board.
I would love to see your inspiration boards and hear your goals for the new year! What will you achieve in 2015??
Please feel free to link to your Pinterest board below, or email me a pic (fitnessista at gmail, subject: INSPIRATION BOARD). I’ll be featuring some this Friday!
Happy happy New Years Eve!
xoxo
Gina
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I can’t believe Liv will be 3 soon. That is crazy sauce.
Looking forward to hearing all your big surprises in 2015!!
Thanks for all the great content as always and Happy New Year! My inspiration board -> http://pinterest.com/skinyfitlicious/2015-inspiration-board/
Love the mommy-daughter yoga, that is so precious 🙂
My goal for the new year is to push myself. I love that I have found my way back to my fitness routine post baby, and now I want to go outside of my comfort zone. I want to challenge myself, push and see what I am really made of! Happy 2015!
I need to make an inspiration board!! Thanks for the idea!
Please tell us more About this book number two you’re thinking about writing! 🙂
Just ordered your book! I’m excited to dig in! I’ve been following your blog for quite some time. Long before Olivia was born. I am hoping to finally kick these last 20lbs this year with the help of your book!
Always an inspiration Gina. I’ve never thought of doing an inspiration board before, but when I saw your call last night, I knew I had to put one together. I love this concept, and the more I searched on Pinterest for images/quotes/etc. that matched my goals for 2015, the more excited I got towards putting them into motion to achieve them in the New Year. Thank you 🙂 Some of my goals: add to my fitness PTC, make my own kombucha, heal my endometriosis, etc. Here is my board: http://www.pinterest.com/alexandramaleck/inspirationboard-2015/
Love the pic of you and Liv doing yoga. Thank you for all the great content this past year! Have a fun NYE.
First, I have to say I TOTALLY miss living in San Diego. It’s such an awesome city isn’t it?! My goal for 2015 is to get back into more outdoor exercising- I was SPOILED with the weather in San Diego and am now a total baby when it comes to running/biking/etc in cold weather..
For a fitness video I think it would be cool if you did something that goes along with your book, like 15 minute HIIT workouts. Just an idea. Have a great New Year!!!
What great goals! And what a packed year you’ve had! I want to create an inspiration board. There’s some things I seriously need to buckle down and accomplish in 2015!
These are all great, Gina! Sleep is a huge one that I’m working on too because I’ve definitely learned the importance of it in absolutely everything that I do. Regarding your video download, I like the idea of doing a barre one because I’ve never actually tried it before. I know meditation can sometimes seem a bit woo-woo to people (myself included) but that’s one thing I’d like to work on to contribute to stress management, so that could be a topic to consider too!
I think I should make an inspiration board. I like your ideas for goals – especially the compassion one! I also need to improve on my patience. I knew having a child would help with it, but I still have a ways to go!! There are a lot of things I want to prioritize this year and just make 2015 the best yet!
Great goals! 🙂 Mine are all over the place…but include finally getting a handstand and working on being present (and not scrolling through instagram/email every “down” moment I get).
Oh fun! I made a little board based on a bucket list I put together (http://www.pinterest.com/myownbalance/goals-and-inspiration/). I also want to be a good mom but there isn’t a pin for that! 🙂
Would love to see a Barre Blast DVD!
What great goals! Funny story: I actually work for the Eller MBA program and start my degree in January. We just introduced an online option last year too. Go Cats!
no wayyyyyy! BEAR DOWN 🙂 that is awesome! i will definitely check out the online option. xoxo
You had a pretty big 2014, both career and personal. I’ve loved following it all and look forward to what’s to come in 2015, both for you and for me. I made a big switch in my career this year, turning into a full-time fitness professional and writer/blogger and I hope to keep it going with even more of a focus next year. My goals? To stay healthy, stay happy and be good to those around me. 🙂
I just wanted to say late- merry Christmas and happy new year! I loved this post. I have had inspirational boards in the past and you have encouraged me to put together a new one- new & improved! I am currently reading “the secret ” and trying to rid worrying so much and bouts with anxiety. Peace and blessings to you this year. #lovereadingthisblog
I’m looking forward to sitting down today to think about my goals for the year. One big thing is to be more mindful of my actions and purposeful in how I spend my time!
A digital download of a full Barre Blast class would be amazing! I’m all for it!
Really love your goal about compassion. I would like to work on this too…more importantly because I would like to model it for my daughter. At 2.5yrs, I’m trying to find the “magic way” to instill kindness and compassion in her (which obviously does not come naturally at her age).
This year went by waaaaaay too fast. In a bad, frantic feeling kind of way. I would like to practice simplicity in 2015 to hopefully reduce the potential of a chaotic, frenzied life.
http://www.pinterest.com/superambi28/inspirationboard/
You have had such a big year Gina. I hope you are proud of yourself! 2015 will be all about career for me. I finally graduated with my Masters in social work and look forward to working my booty off, affecting the lives of others and truly growing as a clinical social worker. Happy New Years even to you!
I’m hoping to sit down today and make some time to make an inspiration board and start filling out my Lorna Jane planner for the new year! I love your goals and can relate to many of them. I’ll be working on many of the same things in 2015. So glad I got to meet you in person this year, and I continue to love your blog each and every day! Keep up the great work! xoxo
thank you lovely friend! so happy the blog world introduced me to you!
Happy New Year! Can’t wait to get my copy of your book this week and get back into the swing of things!
http://pinterest.com/sunshinykk17/2015-inspiration-board/
thank you so much, kayla!
Almost everything on my board is a big thing. 2014 was really crazy, so I’m hoping 2015 will be the year of rebuilding.
http://www.pinterest.com/ryah/inspirationboard-2015/
Happy New Year, Gina, The Pilot, and Liv! I loved 2014 and am hoping 2015 will be great!
http://www.pinterest.com/erin121490/2015-inspiration-board/
Thank you for inspiring me to do an inspiration board
Congrats on all you’ve accomplished this year!! I’m continually amazed at how much you manage to fit into your life. 🙂
Love the inspiration board idea and think I will be making one of my own soon. Happy New Year!
thank you, amanda! send me your board after you make it! xoxo
My inspiration board is still in progress (sitting down to brainstorm specific goals has never been easy for me, lol), but it’s coming along! I anticipate continuing to add to and reference it over the coming weeks and year 🙂
http://www.pinterest.com/fitandthefork/goals-and-inspriration/
Thanks again for this great idea!
I would love to see a barre blast DVD. I really do love your barre workouts! Wow, you really have accomplished a lot and I look up to you. You had a very productive yr, it’s amazing!
I’d like to continue to change up my workout routine to help the platue i seem to be at and to remain consistent on working out 4-5 days a week. I tend to be an anxious person as well, so i feel I need to work on that as well too. I’d like to form more friendships in this new state that my family and I have moved to and maybe trying for baby #2. I hope to keep up with my fitness goals after baby #2 as well, if it happens:) I’m buying your book! Excited for it:) have a nice day!
thank you so much, jessie! i really appreciate it <3
sending you lots of love for baby 2! that is so exciting. thank you for ordering, "hiit it!" i hope you love it, and i'm so thankful for your support!
xoxo
Thank you! All the love to you for baby #2 as well! I’m excited to get it. I’m sure I will enjoy it!
Hey Gina! I was looking at your weight loss certification program post. I emailed Mike at NASM for information, but he must not be there anymore. Do you have another contact or just suggest calling the number? Thanks for the help!!!
hey girl! he should still be there- i just talked to him a couple of weeks ago. definitely call the number! they may be out of the office today for the holiday
I would love to see another exercise DVD with a couple 30 minute workouts on it. Maybe a couple full body barre routines, and a couple HIIT routines. (I know those are opposite ends of the workout spectrum but also good to mix it up!) I might be the only one to prefer DVD to digital download, but I like it better. Old school. I did a HITT routine on youtube and it was just the same 3 moves for 30 minutes with no music. Complete turn off. I bet something you come up with, or from your book, with you leading the ‘class’ and instructing would be really cool. And I’d advise to stick to 30 minutes, otherwise people like me feel they can’t squeeze it into the day.
I know you’ll reach all your goals in 2015! I’ll be happy to see them come true along the way 🙂
i love that idea! thank you! and yes, i agree that 30 minutes makes it much more attainable. i lose my focus at home after 45 minutes
thank you so much for reading and hope you have a happy new year!
What a great year! Thanks for all the content. Would you be willing to write a post on how to be productive when you have a little one? I struggle to find time to fit in my workouts, for example, and you seem to have it down. Any tips??
What an awesome year, and awesome goals! I love you sweet girl. Happy New Year! <3
Love your goals, especially the empathy/ compassion one, it is hard not to get defensive. Getting empathetic would definitely be healthier! You have done so much amazing stuff! Truly you are an inspiration and no doubts that is why you are so successful! Happy New Year to you and your family!
First congrats on a book #2 coming soon.:) Speaking of book amazon just sent email saying I should receive it on January 3rd. 🙂
I have a few intentions/goals for this year, I have plan on taking a few certifications, trying to get more under my belt. I am woking on a new class as well, I need to do more with my blog etc and quite a few other ones. I prefer DVD.
Personal and Health wise: I need to remind myself to not worry and stress so much, (work in progress)
I also plan to work on giving myself credit for what I have been able to accomplish and stop beating myself up for the things I have not accomplished yet. etc
going to check out your vision board.
I cried doing my inspiration board. Life in 2014 was a bit rough. But it has ended on a super high note, and I look to keep that momentum going forward – my goals (loosely stated):
Be present
Love myself
Take time for me
Be positive, always
Just. Breathe
Lift, lift, lift
Run, walk, run run
Yoga it out
Try new things
Hug my babies… all the damn time
Let go of toxic things
Reduce sugar
Read more
Pray more, stay spiritual, grow here
Keep up clean eats
Buy a vitamix 😀
AMEN.
Board here:
http://www.pinterest.com/jlmattes/inspiration-2015-justdothedamnthing/
Thanks for being so inspirational. I know you will kick 2015 in the a$$ with awesomeness.
so sorry to hear you cried, but happy that it was cleansing for you. amen to hugging babies, letting go of toxic things (and people), breathing, moving, and LIVING.
sending you lots of love and cheers with these amazing goals! happy 2015, friend. xoxo
I’ve never made one of these. Thanks for *inspiring* me to do so! I’m so excited to look back to this board throughout the year and even add new goals –> http://www.pinterest.com/lizzie_souza/inspiration-board-2015/
I ordered your book yesterday! Here’s my board: Still have more to add to it http://www.pinterest.com/jess_wriz/inspiration-2015/
Wow what a great list Gina! I too make a vision board and am a bit late on my creation this year but have already begun cutting out things from magazines! All my love and cheers to 2015! Xo C
I just ordered my book yesterday and I’m dying (and I mean dyyyyyying) waiting for it to come in! I’m so excited hehe!
yayyyyy! thank you so much for ordering! please let me know what you think 🙂 xoxo
I want to fully embrace intuitive eating, run my first marathon, and try to be more ‘present’ in each moment, each day.
Happy New Years!
those are awesome goals. lots of love to you 🙂
I’m so glad I discovered your blog in 2014! 🙂 Can’t wait to learn more from you & others and make 2015 my healthiest year yet! Happy New Year!
http://www.pinterest.com/diverkparker/inspirationboard-2015/
so happy to have you here! thank you for sending your board along- checking it out now! <3
Gina! Thank you as always for such amazing content – you are so invested in your readers’ wellbeing (and your family’s, and your own), and it is truly inspiring to read! I keep a Tumblr as my inspiration board. It holds everything that makes me smile, and when I’m happy I’m reminded to take better care of myself. Here is the link – I hope you enjoy it!
http://glimmerandspicexx.tumblr.com
thank you so much for reading, amanda! 🙂
checking your inspiration board out now, too! xoxo
I would love to love to hear what you find out about online MBA programs. I graduate with my business admin degree in May, and I am so unsure of where to go from here. I love this blog! Happy 2015 🙂