How Are Your New Year's Resolutions Going?

It has been almost two months since the start of 2013. How are your resolutions going so far? Have you hit that "21 days to form a habit" point yet?

Source: them.

I've been sticking to mine pretty well, except for one of my large ones, "Blog once a week (at least)."
I've been failing hardcore on this one, which is ironic considering I wrote it on my blog. So thanks to Rob over at Rob Complains About Things for pointing out that I'm slacking on my resolutions.

Aside from the obvious, all my others are rocking out pretty good so far.

- Read 40 Books: I've knocked out 5 pretty stellar books so far, and am about to finish the 6th today (Hitman's Guide to Housecleaning...twisted and entertaining read). So I'm about 17% through that goal. Any good recommendations for some books to add to the list? 
- Swear Less: I'm trying to think before speaking a bit more instead of running out the mouth.
- Run a 10k: This one hasn't happened because apparently Mother Nature wants to torture me with more winter weather. So over it, but have been logging some solid gym and yoga time to keep in shape and build muscle and endurance.
- Get my 5k PR under 25 minutes: Will be a work in progress come spring and the above should help. I hate the dreadmill so until weather gets warmer that one will be put off a bit.
- Work toward being able to accomplish yoga inversions: Wham, Bam, I'm smacking this one outta the park! Pretty pumped at how I've been able to nail this one. #YogaADay, #InversionArmy, and #BalanceARMy on Instagram have been awesome for inspiration on this one.

- Blog once a week - FAIL. But I'm hoping to make some changes. I miss the catharsis that writing brings so I need to make this a priority. I need to stop nit picking and just write again.

Let me know how your resolutions have been going! Have you found anything or someone that  motivates you to keep going? It's never too late to start or begin again.

(Source: drowned-in-daydreams, via ego-x-deactivated20130119)

My Fitness Bucket List! What's on yours?

Lately I've noticed lots of attention on Twitter and Pinterest regarding bucket lists, in particular fitness inspired lists. Seeing all of these great ideas and goals totally captured my attention and inspired me to make my own. I LOVE the concept of getting it all down on a list, goal setting and taking the steps to make it happen. There are so many things that I want to do, but the following are a few of the most important ones to me:

Run the CRIM (10 mile), Tough Mudder, run a 8k, run a half marathon, basically run MORE! - There are so many fun races that I am constantly finding more and more that I'd love to do. It's hard to narrow it down to just one or two. I had planned on running the CRIM 8k this summer but my recent foot injury might prevent that. :( Other items along the lines of this, I'd love to also run more races for causes and run a 5k in under 25 minutes.

Receive my personal trainer and CHES certification - I've yet to decide whether to go with ACE or NASM for personal training so if you have any input that would be awesome! The CHES is something that I would love to get for health education and am hoping to do this fall.

Do a triathlon! - I've always thought that this would be awesome to do and saw one this past month. The only thing really holding me back: swimming!

Go white water rafting. - Looks like so much fun, adventurous and have heard rave things about it.

Try rock climbing (non-indoor facility) - I love rock climbing indoors so super excited to do this. I've already made plans to do this over the summer in West Virginia so I can't wait! Also will notch another thing off my list while on this trip (climb a mountain) so double win!

Go paddle boarding. - Hoping to find somewhere nearby to do this over the summer. Looks really relaxing and potentially a good arm workout.

Go heli-boarding. - Terrified to do this, but so desperately want to! I love snowboarding and the extremes so this would completely satisfy it all.

Learn to box. - Learning to box would be so empowering.

Be able to do more inverted yoga poses - I've managed to do a few, but need to work on more upper body strength to get there, but will one day (soon!). This video is one of my favorites:

Amazing, right?!?!

Volunteer with Girls on the Run or a similar organization. - I love so many things about this organization. I found out about it late in my college career and was so sad I was never able to participate. The new community I have moved to doesn't have one so maybe I can help to initiate one in the area.

Motivate others to live fit and health lives. - This is incredibly important to me. I love inspiring and educating others on living and leading a healthy life. It's empowering to help people realize that they have the potential to change their lives for the better. I love that preventative health is finally coming to light and having more attention brought to it.

Aside from this list there are so many more and the list will continue to grow I'm sure. For my complete list you can check out my Pinterest board here: Fitness Bucket List. I've included on there a few that I've already completed to and hope to update it as time goes on. My completed tasks so far: Help plan a 5k, Warrior Dash, Run a 8 minute mile, indoor rock climbing.

What are a few things that are on your fitness bucket list? Do you have ones that you've already completed?

Join my #SummerOfBliss team and challenge!

The other day I came across a social workout challenge that I thought would be really fun to do with a group of people. All of the goals are attainable and having the extra support from other people may make it a bit easier when people are struggling. I know that I am one of those people that needs someone to hold me accountable for goals because it keeps me on track and in line. The goals of the challenge are:

1. Limit the drinking of sugary beverages. No more than four sugar sweetened drinks a week. Check out this infographic to see some of the disastrous effects of sugar on the body.
2. Log your happiness, or "level of bliss" at least once a day. Record your level at least once a day and contemplate what factors make you blissful and which make you bliss-less. This activity can help you make changed to a more positive outlook and life and help you weed out those things that drain your happiness away. 
3. Meditation: Take 5 minutes a day. Take 5 minutes a day to disconnect and reflect. Take those 5 minutes for yourself to center yourself and get in some deep breathing exercises.
4. Welcome in summertime by eating at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Substitute your not-so-savory or healthy snacks with some fresh produce. Step out of the box and try something new. You may find a new favorite. Eating Well has some great info for what a fruit serving size consists of.
5. Log 5 workouts a week. Aim for at least 30 minutes a day for maximum health effects (assuming you've been cleared by your doctor). With summertime cruising in there are many options even if you don't have a gym membership: Run, bike, swim, hike, row a boat...anything that gets your heart pumping.
6. Plank pose: 1 minute per day. Core strength is key and this exercise will engage all those muscles. There are variations so do the one that is best for you. Check out Tina Reale's site for 22 different variations.

The challenge starts this upcoming Monday, June 11th and ends July 8th. Four weeks towards living a healthier life and establishing new habits. 

Also..you could possibly win prizes too from Bestowed.com so it's an extra bonus.

Be sure to sign up for the team HERE.  

The team name is: Love, Laugh, Live Well Body Rocker's. Once you've joined the team click on Summer Of Bliss and join the challenge from there. Starting Monday you'll begin logging your progress. If anyone has any questions be sure to let me know and we'll figure it out!

Say 'I will'... whatever it is you want to do, just keep on saying it every day.

 Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.

It amazes me that this year is almost over.  I feel like it has went by in a flash (each year seems to move quicker and quicker) and that we are venturing into another year.  I always get the itch after Christmas to get a jump start on my goals and resolutions for the new year.  I don’t think that people should necessarily wait until the new year to make goals, but to continuously do so, however, this does set an easy starting point.  I always like to look back and reflect on the year and think about the new things that I would like to accomplish for the next year. 

Some Pointers

• Set realistic goals.  I’m not saying to not push yourself, but if you aren’t active at all, set smaller goals (such as doing a 5k) and move onto the larger ones (i.e. marathon).  Setting yourself up for unrealistic goals will only lead to feelings of failure, frustration and stress.
• Set goals, for yourself and tailored to yourself.  Just because everyone is setting the same goal, doesn’t mean its perfect for you.  Your goals should reflect YOUR role in life.
• Be specific.  The more specific you are the more likely you are to get what you want.  Sometimes making a bunch of small goals, can help you achieve a bigger one. Start small, work towards getting bigger.
• Set guidelines and steps for obtaining your goals! I always like to set a guideline so I have a specific date, number and/or thing to strive for.  Set out the steps for yourself and really think about what you need to do to get there. 
• Give yourself a reward for obtaining your goal.  Whether it be a pat on the back, the thrill of obtaining it, or a new wardrobe/spa day…whatever it is that you would love or that would compliment your accomplishment.

My Goals for the Year
Physical:

• Run at least 3 races (5k and higher).  I know for sure that I’ll be participating in Warrior Dash, but want to do many more, especially those benefiting causes I love (autism, cancer, habitat, environmental).
• Do yoga once a week.  I’m thinking about signing up with a class at the university.
• Meatless Monday:  I want to start incorporating a bit less meat in my diet. 
• Wash my face before bed.  This sounds like a no brainer, but most nights I’m falling asleep and just crash into bed.

Career/School:

• Graduate in December with at least a 3.5 gpa
• Find an amazing, paid internship for the summer.  Really want some amazing hands on work.
• Learn Photoshop and feel comfortable using it.

Artistic/Pleasure:

• Blog at least once, preferably 3 times per week.  I know that I’ll be super busy with classes and work so would like to at least have a maintainable goal.
• Learn to use my DSLR.  Right now I am a complete novice and have no idea what I’m doing.
• Craft more.  I really want to learn how to use my sewing machine and become a master with my Silhouette.

What goals do you have for the year?  Are there any tips that help you achieve your goals? I’d really love to hear others resolutions!

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.  ~Henry Ford