In May I celebrated my one year Gymniversay. This month I celebrate one full year of monthly goal setting.
In the past year I’ve set at least four monthly goals for myself and I’ve reported back on my accomplishments and, for lack of a better term, failures. I ended up doing a lot and making strides in my fitness, eating habits, personal life, and overall health. I want to do a little reflection to see how much I accomplished in the course of a year and what I still need to work on this year.
Work on upper body strength—WIN! I went from doing no lifting to going to Body Pump, Next Level and Boot Camp several times a week. My arms shrank about 4 inches. I have muscles in my arms you can actually see (if you look hard enough) and I actually really like lifting. Originally I stated in the goal that I needed to weight lift “even though I really hate it.” I don’t hate it anymore! WIN!
Change up my routine—WIN! I’ve changed my routine quite a bit and have gone from spinning and yoga only (when I started goal setting in July 2010) to all kinds of different things mentioned above. My regular routine has changed every few months and tomorrow I meet with a trainer to set up yet another new routine!
Get my sleep issues under control—WIN! I got me some Lunesta from the doctor and learned how to sleep like a normal person. Now I usually don’t even need the Lunesta.
Watch more movies—SEMI-FAIL. What can I say? It’s really hard to get me to sit down and watch a movie. I like to multi-task. I’ve watched some, though. I like movies. I just need to be talked into dedicating time to them.
Get back into weight loss mode–-NEUTRAL. I don’t want to call myself a failure on this, because even though I didn’t get super strict like I planned to and keep telling myself I want to, I also dealt with some outside factors including endocrine system problems that I’ve found have really been inhibiting my abilities to lose weight the way I know how (low cal). I’ve actually put on some pounds, but fit into my clothes and according to friends, I look smaller. I say it’s the weight lifting and interval training. This will always be a work in progress, I suppose. No fail, no win. It just is.
Improve my form—WIN! My form is leaps and bounds from what it was a year ago. I went from having lots of lower back pain to being strong and confident. My muscles ache almost every day, but that’s a good thing. It means I’m working out different muscles all the time. My butt goes over the spinning seat the way it’s supposed to and my squats are near perfection. I’m always finding ways to improve, but seriously, I put a lot of effort into this one and it paid off.
Write more often—NEUTRAL. When I made that goal I was talking about writing fiction, which I’ve done less of than I feel I should (although the other night when I was trying to fall asleep I had a rush of ideas for a story, so we’ll see where that goes). I did, however, get a freelance writing book contract and I’ve certainly kept up with writing this blog. This one I’ll continue to work on.
Be more productive—WIN! I feel like I’m much more productive than I was a year ago. I did so many things I had been putting off and I’ve gotten into much better habits with managing my time effectively. I’m hardly ever behind on work, I manage my workout schedule well, I have time for my friends, for volunteering, for reading, and for relaxing. It can be done, y’all. It can be done. (Although, to be fair, I now work partially from home, which helps. I know, you hate me for that).
Work on abs—FAIL! Despite every other fitness hurdle I’ve overcome in the past year, my abs are still nonexistent. I gasp in pain during Boat pose. When instructors tell us to hold our abs in I just imagine Chunk doing the Truffle Shuffle.
So yeah. Gotta keep working on abs.
Eat green stuff every day: SEMI-WIN I’m pretty good about this. I like vegetables. I eat them. Maybe not as much as I should every single day, but I get them in.
Stop multitasking—WIN! This is funny, since my goal the previous month was to be more productive. I didn’t even realize I did that back to back. While I became more productive, I stopped multitasking in the sense that I stopped doing things like trying to work and watch TV at the same time. I still multitask, but I try to do it without major distractions that slow me down.
Own everything I do—WIN! I’m like Shaq. I don’t give a shit.
Eat smaller meals more frequently—NEUTRAL. This gets a neutral because it’s something I don’t care that I didn’t really accomplish. At the time it was something I wanted to try, and I believe I was halfway successful, but now I realize that tactic doesn’t necessarily work for me. I’m prone to eating more if I eat several times a day because my problem is really with gauging portions more than it is about frequency or infrequency of eating. I can eat three times a day or six times a day, I just need to make sure I’m staying within a certain calorie field.
Core Fusion three times a week—FAIL! I’m okay with failing at this. I hate working out with DVDs. I need a classroom atmosphere, which is what trying to do Core Fusion three times a week taught me. It was worth a shot, but not for me, and that’s just fine.I sold the DVD at my yard sale a few weeks ago. I hope that lady is getting her core fused as we speak.
Start Next Level Training—WIN, AND GOING STRONG! In fact, I’m heading over to Next Level in 45 minutes, so I hope I finish this blog entry before then. I started doing this in October of 2010 and haven’t stopped going. I go at least once, if not twice or three times a week. It’s an excellent workout.
Get my ass to places on time—NEUTRAL. I did accomplish that goal that month, but I realized how not worth it it is to be on time. I ended up waiting around for people most of the time. No one at my work cares if I’m on time. The whole thing is overrated if you ask me. I’m on time when I really need to be. If you really want me to be on time, explicitly tell me, and I will be there.
Attempt to be less self-deprecating—WIN! This is a win depending on how you look at it. I remember how I was feeling on October 2nd of 2010 when I set that goal (not awesome) and what I meant by that, and looking back, I know that I’ve accomplished this goal in that sense. On the other hand, self-deprecation, when done right, is hilarious. I still do it, but in the funny way, not in the being mean to myself way.
November 2010:
Do Next Level at least twice a week—WIN! I know I did it that month and I’ve stayed pretty consistent since then. Some weeks I can only go once because of my work/volunteer/other exercise schedule, but I usually manage two sessions, plus Boot Camp, which is basically a longer version of Next Level.
Get back in the kitchen—WIN! I know I accomplished this one that month, and I’ve done well with doing a lot of cooking since then. I still go out to eat once or twice a week, but I cook a lot. And bake a lot.
Cut down on sugar—NEUTRAL. I accomplished that goal that month. Sometimes I’m better about sugar than others. I tend to turn into a sugar monster for a day or two, then I normalize for awhile, then I do it again. It’s a work in progress. I did do a sugar-free week that month though, and it was successful.
Master real push-ups—NEUTRAL. I didn’t master them that month, but I can now do a few real push-ups. I don’t know if I’d say I’ve mastered them—I feel like it’s a huge struggle to get just a few done, but I can do them!
December Goals: Ooh, I was cranky in December. I remember that.
Back to yoga—WIN! I had taken a hiatus from yoga when I started Next Level and Body Pump, but I got back in and I’ve stuck with it since. I do love yoga. It’s a nice change from all of the other really taxing stuff that I do.
Write—NEUTRAL. I guess I recycled this goal without realizing it. You already know how this one went.
Cut down on guilt–especially workout guilt—WIN! I can’t really remember the last time I really beat myself up about something. I know I was beating myself up in November and December (and January) but I evened out in February and have stayed good since then. Remember, I’m like Shaq. I don’t give a shit.
My last December goal was a secret. I can’t quite remember what the secret was, but it probably had something to do with being less hateful and not dwelling on things I couldn’t change. I got some assistance with that and worked it out, so I guess that one was a win.
Find a place to volunteer for—WIN! I’ve been volunteering at an amazing children’s charity since January and I think the kids help me more than I help them. I love it there and I’m really glad that it worked out. We’re on break for the summer and I already miss it. It’s like free therapy for your heart.
Sign up for a 5k—WIN! I did it! I ran a 5k! I have no interest in doing another one, but I did it!
Eat fresh veggies with lunch and dinner every day—SEMI WIN! Like I said before, I’m good about vegetables. I always eat them. Sometimes I have cereal for dinner, though, so I won’t call it a 100% win. But I do pretty well.
Amp up the cardio—SEMI WIN! I know I accomplished this that month and I always do cardio in spinning, Next Level, and Boot Camp, but Next Level and Boot Camp are cardio/strength hybrid and lately I’ve been wondering if I need to back off of so much strength and do a little more cardio. I’m meeting with a trainer tomorrow, so I’ll ask her!
February 2011:
Eat more protein, fewer carbs—SEMI WIN! I accomplished this that month, but found that it was not for me. The minimal weight loss I experienced was not worth how shitty I felt all the time. At first I thought it was good, but then I realized that my brain needs carbs. Some people do really well on low-carb diets, but I’m not one of them. I had headaches and stomachaches and I was very lethargic. I’m glad I gave it a try, though. This challenge is also what started my transition into omnivorous eating.
Include more gentle workouts—NEUTRAL. I do my yoga, but I like to sweat. I accomplished this one that month (partially because I felt so tired from not having any carbs) but I haven’t maintained the gentle workouts. I do yoga once or twice a week. Everything else is hardcore.
Unplug earlier—WIN! I did well with this and have continued to do well. I don’t have many super late nights anymore. I often read before bed instead of internetting.
Give myself more time in the morning—WIN! Since I started doing 5:45 am workouts, I have plenty of time in the mornings that I work early. It took some time, but this goal eventually became a success.
March 2011: My first full month as an omnivore!
Learn how to cook new things—WIN! You should see me cook a steak.
Stretch before and after workouts—NEUTRAL. I do stretch, but usually only as much as the instructor walks us through. I didn’t feel a big difference when I did it that month, so I didn’t keep it up. Oh well.
Try some new gym classes—WIN! I accomplished that goal that month and kept going to Boot Camp at 5:45 am on Friday mornings. Oy vey!
No TV as background noise—SUPER WIN! Not only did I cut that shit out, but I canceled my cable completely and bought a Roku. It rules.
April 2010:
Stop using eating out as an excuse to carb it up—NEUTRAL. Like I said before, I abandoned the low carb thing, and with the onset of my new omnivorous diet, I’ve had so many more choices when eating out and at home, that this is a bit of a non-issue now.
Continue the early morning exercise thing throughout April—SUPER WIN! I’m still doing it! 6 am yoga on Tuesdays, 5:45 am Boot Camp on Fridays. Wooooooo!
Give gluten-free a try for a week—WIN! I did do it for a week. It didn’t make any difference in how I felt, but I did it.
Declutter my home and my mind—WIN! I did the decluttering my home a little more recently, but when I did get around to it, I really cleaned house. My mind is also in better working condition. It’s funny how time changes things.
May 2011:
Go back to what I know works for me—WIN! I abandoned the low carb, higher fat diet that was being recommended by certain bloggers and authors and I just went back to what makes me feel best—lots of fruit, veggies, whole grains, and lean protein. I feel better.
Start using a food scale—WIN! I bought one and I do use it. I might need to use it a little more often, but I’m using it.
Eat more oily fish—FAIL! Eh. Fish doesn’t do it for me. Shellfish does. Regular fish, not so much. I’m going to keep working on it though.
Do two kinds of exercise per day—WIN! That month, I accomplished the goal. It changed completely the next month, but I did do it!
Lose 15 pounds by Tiffaney’s July wedding—IN PROGRESS. This is a two-monther. I don’t think I’m going to make it, though. It was a lofty goal, in hindsight. We’ll see what the end result is in August.
Shorter workouts, more intensity—WIN! I’ve been doing one shorter but more intense workout a day instead of long half-assed ones (except for Monday. Ugh, I still hurt from the two hour Body Pump and Power Yoga combo.)
Plan menus—SEMI WIN. I did this and it was fun, but I didn’t do it for the whole month. I would like to make an effort to do it more often, though. It’s time consuming, but there’s something comforting about knowing the menu is already laid out.
Hop on the couponing bandwagon—WIN! I saved $45 in my first couponing grocery trip. I actually went to a how to coupon workshop at work this morning and won two free items—a body wash and some razors. This one is a work in progress because it takes time to learn the ropes, but I’m kicking myself for paying full price on everything until now!
And that’s it. While I’m sure most of you probably just skimmed that, it was really cool for me to go through and reflect on what I did and remember how I felt during the whole last year. It’s always really amazing to look back on an entire year of self-reinvention, which is essentially what my goal setting helped me do. I feel like some of this stuff just happened yesterday! I’m going to take July off from goal-setting, since I’m going to be busy with a friend visiting for two weeks and I’m going to be in a wedding, but I’ll get back to it in August for a whole new year’s worth of goals.
Final tally:
WINS: 29
SEMI WINS: 5
NEUTRALS: 10
FAILS/SEMI FAILS: 4
I’m actually shocked and elated by these numbers. I hadn’t realized how much I’d accomplished this year or how much I’ve changed, especially looking at the big picture. This reminds me that I need to give myself a break sometimes.
I rule.
Time for Next Level.
Jaclyn
