Can you believe we are almost mid-way through the first month of 2018? Time sure flies, doesn’t it? Maybe I’m just getting old. So a little late in coming, but Happy New Year to all! I don’t usually make resolutions, generally because I (like most everyone else) tend to break them. I do, however, like to set new goals to kick off the new year. This year, I decided to break my fitness goals for the year into quarters. That way I can revisit them every few months and move forward based on how well I do or do not meet them. Plus, making several small goals rather than one or two big ones will be much easier for me to manage.
Have any of you lost 10 pounds recently? If you did, give me a call, because I think I found them. Seriously, 10 pounds…in just two months! Da hell! Combine a lack of exercise with lots of travel and over-indulging in the holiday fare, and it adds up fast. So my first goal for the first three months of the year is to lose what I gained. They (whoever ‘they’ are) say it’s safe and most effective to lose one to two pounds a week, so even at the low end I can safely do this.
My second goal is to run a minimum of 50 miles per month over the next three months, preferably outdoors. If you read my recent post, you know I haven’t historically kept up with running through the winter, largely because I live in Chiberia where the wind chill can sometimes make the temperature feel as low as 50º below zero! Someone remind me why I live here. I’ve already met this goal for January, having participated in the Strava Lululemon 40K | 80K challenge. 80K is just about 50 miles, and I’m happy to say I hit the 53-mile mark yesterday, with four days left in the challenge. The weather was unseasonably warm and hit a high of 58º! Knowing the temperature was going to drop 40 YES FORTY degrees by this morning, I decided to get those final miles in yesterday despite the wind and rain.
My third goal is to stop. drinking. all. the. beer. I generally carry my weight in my hips and my butt and not that I love that about myself, but I have accepted it over the years. This belly fat is new to me and let me tell you, I don’t like it one bit. I can’t say for sure it’s the beer that did it, but I have been drinking more than usual so that’s what I will target first. Just please don’t tell me it’s the wine.
My fourth goal is to strength train twice a week. Before I started running, strength-training was my jam. I absolutely loved it and still do, but it has been largely replaced by running. I need to find a balance between the two, because I ain’t getting any younger, and strong muscles make healthy bones. Did you know that? It’s true! I read it on the internet (seriously, it IS true)! Besides, (re)building strong muscles can only help my running game.
My fifth goals is to practice (and I do mean practice) yoga at least once a week. I’ve played around with it a few times, but never too seriously or long-term. There are so many health benefits both mentally and physically and as you might have heard, I ain’t getting any younger. I’m especially interested in maintaining and even improving my flexibility over time.
How about you? Do you make New Year’s resolutions (and do you keep them)? What fitness goals have you set for the year? Did you join the Strava Lululemon challenge? Drop your Strava profile name here and we can follow each other’s progress!
I’m linking up with Rachel over at Running on Happy and Lacey and Meranda at Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0!
I need to lose the weight I gained as well. WTF? Apparently belly fat is the new black. I still hate it.
I’m with you. I keep thinking of the old Northern Exposure show where they would all purposely ‘fatten up’ for the winter!
I’ve gained five pounds since MCM. I’m super distraught about it. I don’t even know what to do! Lol
Well, misery loves company, I suppose!
I love your goals. They are very tangible and doable. And you can totally do it.
Thanks! I think smaller short-term goals rather than bigger long-term goals are key.
I am trying to do the same thing with stepping up my strength training this year! I need to really find a good routine to stick to for sure! For some reason I’d rather always skip the strength part and go straight to running!
I didn’t join the Strava challenge but I’ve heard of so many people that did! It seems super fun!
It’s just so hard to fit everything in. Not enough days in the week or hours in the day! I guess the key is to find a way to juggle and balance it all!
I think everyone lets go of their healthy eating a bit over the holidays. I don’t weigh myself but I know I did. Congrats on hitting your 40/80 miles already. I was going for the 40K and will hit it tomorrow.
And congrats to you on hitting the 40K! I really enjoyed the challenge but I’m not sure I’d go for 80K again…at least not in Chicago in January!
I’m so impressed that you’ve already hit the 50 mile mark! I’ve got 12 miles to go and I plan to finish it up this weekend. Cold weather be damned!
I know you’ll do it! I had to push hard to finish early but I just couldn’t deal with the bitter cold this weekend. Kudos to you!
My first fitness goal is to recover from my injury then I really want to get into more movement and out of the gym this year. I love lifting iron but I am looking to try new things!
It stinks that you are dealing with this injury. Here’s to quick healing and a strong recovery!
I think this month is going by quickly too. Just like I think 2017 did! I do think time goes by faster as you get older..lol
I don’t make resolutions either. Last year I made “intentions” but I didn’t even go that far with it this year. I’m just gonna see where life goes! Thanks for linking up!
Time sure is speeding by…especially as I get older! I’m all for just seeing where life goes!
I think your goals are reasonable, and very attainable 😉 Congrats on surpassing the 50 miles for the Strava challenge! You had less-than-desirable weather conditions #fistbump
I think anyone who completes the challenge in these cold temperatures should get an extra reward!
I hear you about the beer!
My biggest fitness goal for 2018 is to finish the new 80 Day Obsession home workout and nutrition program after I have my twins!
You will do great! Here’s to keeping those kiddos inside for just a little while longer!
All great goals! When you figure out how to stop drinking all the beer let me know, that is my downfall…beer and wine…..
I’m with you on the wine and beer! But while I like an ice cold Heineken, I can more easily give that up than my wine. It just makes dinner soooo much more delicious!
Yay yay yay to more strength training! Love your list of goals. You will crush 2018!
Thanks! I really have missed it!
I’m always trying to strike the balance between strength and running too! Especially with my lower body — I feel like it gets neglected in the strength department because it gets worked on a run!
That’s exactly right. I’ve swung in the absolute opposite direction, so this year I really want to find balance between the two.
I too am trying to lose some extra weight. We’re all strong women and can definitely do it!
Well here’s to a successful and healthy weight loss journey for both of us!
I used to love lifting before I found all the run endorphins. I started back to lifting recently and it’s making a huge difference in how I look and feel. Win! (Someday I’ll do yoga regularly, but this is not that day LOL)
It’s funny how we trade one for another instead of finding a balance. I’ve been away from weight lifting for so long I am finding I have to start really small.