December 31, 2012

fitness goals, old and new

Seriously, is 2012 really coming to a close?  I can't believe it.  This year has absolutely flown by.  Long days, yes, but somehow tomorrow is 2013.  Which means it is time to review my goals from this year, and set some for next year.  First, I'm going to break down my goals from 2012 that I made in this post:

1.  Run/walk 500+ miles.
Absolutely completed, no problem.  I actually ended up running just over 700 miles.  Walking a little over 200.  So my run/walk mileage is just over 900 miles.  I'd say beating your goal by 400 miles isn't too shabby, then again I knew I wasn't being to aggressive with that goal either.  When I made it though I was already secretly hoping I was pregnant, and didn't know it would take me another six months to get there.

Screen shot 2012-12-31 at 6.18.07 AM

This past month I realized it was possible for me to maybe reach 1000 miles in 2012 (including running, walking, biking and the elliptical) and I am proud to say I did it.  The official total for 2012 is 1006.55 miles.  Not too shabby considering I was pregnant for half the year!

2.  Participate in 6+ races, including at least one half marathon.
DONE!  I managed to sign up and complete eight races, including four 5Ks (posted about here, here, here and here), one 4 miler, one 10K and two half marathons (here and here).  Last year I posted that I hoped to get my 5k PR under 27 minutes, and I actually managed to come in just under 25 with a time of 24:48 in the Mother's Day 5k.  I love races.  They motivate me to try harder and stick with it.  And the runners high when you cross that finish line?  So addicting.

3.  Include strength training AT LEAST once a week.
Well, it wasn't that tough of a goal and I still didn't meet it.  I'm definitely a cardio girl, and given the choice I'll pick the treadmill over lifting weights any time.  But I have enjoyed the couple of classes that include strength training I've done at the gym, and Jillian and I occasionally get our shred on, so not all is lost.

4.  Try to incorporate yoga or stretching.
HAHAHA.  Big fat fail.  I did try and be more mindful about stretching, but I never once tried a yoga video or made it a priority.

Also, never managed my unofficial goal of doing a pull-up.  Surprise surprise.

Overall?  I give myself a 60% on completing my goals.  But even though I didn't meet them all, I still feel like I accomplished a ton in 2012.  Now, how high to set the bar for 2013... it is a toughie, because I have no idea what life will be like with two kiddos, if I'll keep my gym membership, much help I'll have from Christopher, etc.  So I'm winging these.

2013 Health & Fitness Goals
1.  Run 500+ miles.
I would like to make my goal to cover 1000+ miles again in 2013, but with the new babe and recent order from Dr. Hubby to cut back on my exercise, I'm not quite sure I'll be able to do it.  But I really REALLY hope I can get back into running after this babe is born, and since I made it 700 miles this year, 500 next year doesn't sound too far fetched.

2.  Try a new group fitness class at the gym.
I am definitely a creature of habit, and have only tried three different group fitness classes at my gym, 50/50, Barbell Strength (which I assume is like Body Pump), and a core workout class.  It took a lot of guts for me to go into barbell, and I ended up loving it.  So I need to suck it up and try something else.  Assuming I go back to the gym at some point after the baby is born.

3.  Run a half marathon.
I think this goal is going to be more about will power and time management than anything else.  So it is here to keep me motivated to get back into a healthy lifestyle post baby.  I think a fall half is definitely feasible, if I can manage to complete the C25K program sometime in the late spring.  I may not PR, but doing it will definitely be an accomplishment.

4.  Run a 'fun' race.
I really wanted to do a color run or glow run of some sort this year, but never made it happen.  So in 2013 I want to make it a priority.  Either one of those or something where you have to dress up, I don't care.  Something fun!

5.  Lose the baby weight by July 1st.
Hopefully by the time I deliver I'll have gained 25 pounds or less.  If I could drop 20 of those pounds by the summer I'd be satisfied.  One part of me thinks this will be really easy, the other part of me isn't so sure.  With Ryann I dropped to my pre-pregnancy weight in a week (and then gained nearly 15 pounds, but that is beside the point).  So hopefully my body will bounce right back this time, and my stronger attachment to a healthy lifestyle will keep it that way.

6.  Go a week without added sugar.
I'm a sweets junkie.  There is no denying it.  I had done pretty well for a while cutting out most of it, but the sweet tooth is back hard core and I really need to kick the habit.

I think those are enough health & fitness goals to keep me busy for the next year.  I'd like to cook more (I have been slacking like CRAZY this past month!) and cut more processed food out of our diet.  But we shall see how it all goes.

 

I'd love to hear how you did in 2012, and what you hope to accomplish in 2013.  Link up your health and fitness related posts below!

5 comments:

Meaghan said...

Congrats dear friend! You are such an inspiration and I'm so happy we're closer together again. I hope we can conquer some of those miles together this year, and continue to grow closer as friends :) You da bomb!

JessF said...

I love that you have realistic goals and FUN goals! I would also love to do a color run, I saw people leaving the one in the Twin Cities and they looked like they had so much fun!

Ashley Antkowiak said...

Way to go! I would love to set some fitness goals for myself this year, but don't know where to set them as number 3 is due in June. Maybe some post baby goals will be good :-) As a word of encouragement, I got in the best shape of my adult life after having number 2. I was given an old double jogging stroller and c25k'd the heck out of that thing! the kids loves being outside and running with the stroller is a great arm workout. Plus when I got to race without it my time always surprised me!

Unknown said...

Ashley, what are you using to track your mileage??

Amber said...

Congrats on hitting the 1000 mile mark!