Health

Health and Fitness Review in Light of the New Year

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Last year, I took a word as my mantra for the year. My goal. My defining philosophy. Today I am spending some time taking a recap of that year in fitness. And I am disappointed. My goal was health and healthy living. I tried hard. Until my Mom got sick and passed away unexpectedly and the whole family came off the rails for a period of time. Working out seemed a bit pointless and the process of planning a funeral kind of felt like life was trying to kick me in the head after declaring a goal of health and healthy living.

One of My Best Read Posts

One of my best read posts last year was this fitness challenge one – partly because it was a giveaway for $100 in Lululemon gear. A gift card actually. But some people visited because they have similar goals to mine. Goals of getting fit and carving out a healthy niche in the world. I still believe strongly in that. I still strive to be fit and healthy. It’s a way of life. But I want something a bit more at this point.
I am back to the gym regularly despite holidays and despite life’s many ups and downs. But I am still not happy. So this is my temperature check for me. Just me and my goals going forward in 2014.

Here is what I have gained this past year in 2013:

1. My workout stamina is better than it was.
2. My leg strength has increased.
3. Balance is typically much better and a goal I work hard on weekly.
4. Core strength much stronger than 2012.
5. Muscle strength improved overall.

What I need to change in 2014:

1. I intend to add weight training to my regimen. (Like real weight training with an instructor or coach.) I have set up an appointment with a personal coach to help me improve my routine on the day the kids go back to school. Excited about that.
2. Continue to improve balance – truly important for my brain health.
3. Grow my arm strength. I think weights will help this.
4. Continue to build this into my day at least 3 times a week. (When my fitness time at the gym is less frequent I notice immediately that I lose energy and get sick faster).
5. Work that core until I am happy with it. I have a much stronger core than I ever did in the past, but I notice that as I get older I need to work it even harder to maintain a flat and muscular abdomen. That’s harsh reality.

Fitness Goals in the Coming Year

Also my nutrition needs to be improved for sure. I may post another fitness review in the future.
What are your fitness goals for 2014?

Mom of two beautiful active girls, traveller, fitness junkie, social media consultant, and keeper of the sanity.

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