I know, I know… new year means, “new me” right? Wrong! I’ve realized that I’ve been looking at getting healthy incorrectly all of these years. I didn’t start putting on my weight till after I had kids, so I guess, you could say that my mentality was a tad bit construed, or maybe I was just lazy. But, this year (I actually started in December 2017), I’m making a change in not only my thoughts and how I view things, but what I’m doing to get to my healthy me. Today I share with you my 2018 Personal Fitness Goals. I whole-heartily agree that a person’s fitness and health goals should be tapered and adjusted, customized and unique to that particular person. We aren’t cookies, so, therefore, we shouldn’t have cookie-cutter goals and routines. Don’t you agree?
Try New Things: I really want to be able to embrace new workouts by trying new things and including a variety of different stuff. By doing so you will encourage your body to continue burning fat for energy and increasing your metabolism. While I know it, I often get stuck in the same rut. My schedule is never my own, so I workout and exercise around everyone else’s time. Because of this, I find myself doing what I know works and that fits within that given time frame. The problem is that my body eventually gets to a standstill and as I plateau, I get discouraged. I have somewhat figured out a way around this. By creating a schedule block of different exercises throughout the week, changing between interval training, cardio and stretching as well as a good walk/jog each week, my body will still be active while still burning fat and building leaner muscle. Adding in additional dance and hip-hop fitness into the mix is a great way to jumpstart the routines as I’m changing them around throughout the month. I’ll test my theory and I’ll get back with all of you on how it has worked for me.
Get Running: I also look at my current fitness and exercise regimen and compare it to what I used to do before. I bet most people didn’t know that I was a runner. I ran cross country and track in middle school and high school. I used to be pretty fast too. After a few ankle injuries in the last 20-25 years and a bad knee, I stopped running or even jogging and it’s been a struggle for me to get back on track. By the end of this year, I want to be able to at least jog without being in so much pain. I have been slowly increasing my walks to a light jog lately and I noticed that it’s a challenge for my aches and pains. But with proper support and effort, I think I can include low impact running into my workout routine before the end of the year.
Planks, Pull ups and Push ups – oh my: Before planks were a popular thing, my Daddy had me doing them along with pull ups and push ups each day. It’s how I kept my core strong and strengthened my arms so that I could paddle my surfboard out to the wave breaks and stand up on the board, balance and catch a wave. It’s been years since I’ve been able to really do any of those things. However, I’ve been slowly incorporating all three into my exercise regimen the last month. I’d love to be able to do planks, push ups and pull ups easily, without having to stop to take a break between each set. I’d also like to be able to do it the challenging way instead of easy. I think by incorporating a little of it in each workout, by the end of the year, I’ll be to able to do it without struggling.
Positive affirmation and goals: You see the photo above? Well, that photo was taken in 1998, back when I was smaller than a size 8 and 125 lbs wet. It seems like a lifetime ago. Obviously, I have had three children (2 pregnancies) and I weigh more than 150 lbs above that weight that I am in that photo. I’m realistic that I can do well and I can lose my weight, tone my muscles and build lean muscle, but, honestly, I will never look the same again. I will have saggy skin once I lose my weight and that’s something I have to deal with, but I will be healthy and happy because I accomplished it all. My biggest fitness goal this year is to use my past body as inspiration, determination and drive to be a healthier person, not using it as a way to bring me down. Our lives are filled with enough negativity and lack of drive, that I want to make sure that I’m not soaking all the bad energy in. I’m doing all of this for a healthier me so that I can be there for my husband and sons. It doesn’t matter what anyone says or the looks they give because it doesn’t feed my drive to be a better me. My goal this year is to keep positivity around me as much as possible so that I can be much more successful in this healthier lifestyle.
My 2018 Fitness goals are minimal but I believe they will make a huge impact on me. Besides, when we try out new things or focus on things to drive us, sometimes starting off small is the key. What about you? Do you have any fitness goals for this year? Is there anything in particular that you would like to try or incorporate into the year to get you on track?
This post was done in collaboration with some of my favorite Beauty and Lifestyle Bloggers. Head on over to their links below and check them out.
13 Comments
Love that we have some of the same struggles and goals! I reeeally want to be able to do unassisted pull ups this year! I feel like I’m close but it’s hard to work on those! And yes, as moms, we work around everyone else’s schedule so it’s important for us to find ways to carve out times for just ourselves — not easy – but we know it’s important!
Yes, moms are just so busy. lol We need “me time”.
Honey YES!!! I love that you are using such a positive attitude in moving forward. I feel at times beaten up over weight, and you are so right – we have to use this to drive us positively and not negatively because that will drive me to the couch, not to lace up my running shoes. Also, I love that you are going to incorporate a mix of different types of exercising to keep it interesting for yourself and you body!!!
It’s a challenge for me emotionally and since my Dad died in June, I’ve struggled with life in general. But I’m pushing my way through the best I can. 😀
Your post made me emotional because I feel you. I am not a mother but I get what you mean by having your time revolve around other’s. On a happy note, I am glad you figured out how to work around it. Yes to great health. This collaboration post is so inspiring because we all get to know each other more and champion each other! Love!!!
I’m working it to the best that I can and hopefully I will be able to move past hurdles and get it going. 😉 thanks for stopping by and for creating this group. I am excited. 😀
I totally understand being consumed with mothering. Girl, let’s get out here, run, and get our bodies back. I’m not looking forward to the sagging skin but I want to be back into my clothes.
I completely agree. I seriously am working my butt off. I am still recovering from surgery so I have to take it easy at least this week, but I am pumped to get it together and get going 😉
Well keep me posted. I’m only an inbox away. I’m starting to drop weight but not fast enough. lol
I think the whole journey of working on bettering ourselves can be super emotional and often a very depressing place. For me, I know I need to better myself and my health and you’d think that it would be the first thing that I work on but somehow, we always seem to put ourselves on the back burner. I hope that this is the year that you’re putting yourself as a priority and working on bettering you! I always love seeing your posts because of the gorgeous scenery around you!!! Good luck!
Hey lady. Thanks so much. I agree, no one tells you that focusing on a better you takes an emotional toll on your body and mind. It’s been a rough last 8 months since my Dad died and now just trying to cope with life in general seems to be a challenge. I am doing good so far though and once I recover from this surgery I just had, I hope to get back to exercising and getting back on track. 😀
I’m in the same boat as you, I was much smaller before kids and started gaining afterwards. I’m taking it one step at a time trying to get my weight back to where I want it to be. You got this girl, good luck! 💪
thanks girl. Good luck to you too <3