on going upside down and other 2014 goals


Did you know almost half of New Year's resolutions have to do with getting healthier? Lose weight, exercise, eat better, quit smoking...

The list goes on and on. 

Mine don't. Well, mostly don't.

My two resolutions are:
1) Take a photography class this year
2) Be less busy

I could argue that they'll impact my health overall, but they're less blatant than, say, go to the gym every day. 

However, ever since cutting back on running, I've been a little bit of a workout funk. Less running means I have to be more creative with my workouts - I can't just lace up my kicks and head outside. I have to think through routines, find a class, be more intentional. 

With that in mind, I decided I needed some goals to give me focus. So although these are not my resolutions, here are a few of my fitness goals for 2014:

1) Do 50 good push ups without stopping
2) Plank (on elbows) for 4:15
3) Do yoga 50 times (just under once a week)
4) Learn to do a headstand in yoga
5) Go rock climbing


As of today, I can:

1) Do 20 push ups
2) Plank for 1:40
3) Have done yoga once this year (this morning!)
4) Am sitting comfortably at shoulder stand and cannot even fathom how to make this transition
5) Have been wanting to go rock climbing again for months and haven't done it. What am I waiting for?

Like I said, these aren't so much resolutions as they fitness goals. They're not about weight loss or about my shortcomings. They're simply about getting stronger, taking on something I've wanted to do for years but am hesitant to try (headstand!) and making time to do yoga instead of constantly doing workouts that break me down physically and mentally. It's learning to focus less on exhausting myself and more on making time for things that give me clarity and make me stronger.

What are your fitness goals this year? Join me! 


never. stop. resolving.

Is it bragging too much to say that I think this might be the best I've ever done on my New Year's Resolutions? I wouldn't normally flaunt this, but after years of pretty marginal success, it's kind of going to my head.

I am gearing up to check off number one, the triathlon, here in just seven weeks. I'm reading the bible more (#4) in our new apartment (#7), gave up the bars for lent (#5), tried Pure Barre (#6), as well as FlyWheel, and have read two of five books (#8).

But here is the deal. I'm drastically, epically, totally failing at number three. Le budget. Wha!

Sure, I made the budget. But following it has been a whole different ball game. It's so hard! The thing, though, is that I'm not even shopping. My money is just flying out the window via unplanned trips to Trader Joe's and Whole Foods.

So, I've decided I'm taking another no grocery challenge. I went to the grocery this week and am not going back until Duke and Sam visit me in May. I'm really excited to clean out my freezer, because I tend to neglect my frozen vegetables when I have fresh options.

I'll let you know how things turn out. Here's to hoping I can begin to check off number three!

PS: Would it be counterproductive to buy this book? It would help me add another book to my list!

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twenty twelve, here we go {just a touch late}

When they say fashionably late, do you think they're referring to posting New Year's resolutions on Jan. 11? I think so, too.

Every year I make a list of my successes from the previous year, as well as a list of resolutions for the upcoming one. So far the resolutions have shaped up pretty nicely:
  1. Do a triathlon
  2. Slow down and minimize
  3. Make a budget and keep it (aka no stops at C Wonder)
  4. Read the Bible more
  5. Go to the bars less
  6. Try Pure Barre
  7. Move to my new apartment
  8. Read at least five books for fun
I checked off number six on Sunday and am still in.sane.ly. sore. I'm true loving on the class, but due to number three, won't be able to make a habit of it. But I'm still really happy I tried it, and strongly recommend it. 

Here we go on the rest of the resolutions!