Hey everyone! I hope you’ve all had a good (and shorter!) week and a good start to the New Year! Don’t forget, you have until 11pm on Jan 7th to enter my Chef Earl’s Giveaway! I know I’m a few days behind on this, but I’m a little attached to WIAW and Thursday Thoughts, so I pushed back this post until today!
I’m not a huge fan of new years resolutions, just because I don’t think people should wait until January 1st to reevaluate and make changes in their life. However, I’m all for goals and having things to work for, so today I’m going to re-cap the goals I made at this time last year, and make a few more for 2013.
Re-Cap of Goals from 2012:
1. Practice Intuitive Eating. I think this is something that I, and most people, will need to work on for most of our lives. I came clean about my issues with binge/emotional eating this summer, but it’s still something I struggle with. I’ve improved immensely, especially since becoming more religious and learning to love myself exactly how I am, rather than constantly putting myself down.
2. Run 2 Half Marathons. Check and Check! I ran the Chi Town Half Marathon in April and then the Chicago Rock N Roll half in July!
3. Follow my new diet. Kinda? In October of last year, I found out that I am intolerant to gluten, soy, white sugar and pasteurized milk. My goal was to cut out all four of these from my diet and follow it well. Well I’ve cut out gluten and soy, but I still drink milk and eat white sugar on occasion. I’ve found it’s best not to be too strict with this because it’s just stressful, if I really want a chocolate covered pretzel (gluten) on my froyo, it’s not going to kill me.
4. Figure out the next step in my life! Hmmm, about that…
5. Run a marathon. CHECK! I ran the Chicago Marathon on October 7, 2012 and I finished in 4:21:06! So proud of this accomplishment, and I had SO MUCH FUN doing it!!!!
Now that we’ve looked at how I did in 2012, it’s time to set a few goals for 2013. This is a big year of transition for me, with graduating law school and not knowing where I’m going, so I don’t want to set too many “big goals” like marathon running, or anything like that. Just things that I can work on, no matter where I’m living.
2013 Goals
1. Be more thoughtful with my time. I spend way too much time watching shows on Netflix or just browsing around the internet. I think “oh I don’t have time for ___” when in reality I have TONS of time, I just need to use it better! I’m going to try and be more mindful about using my time wisely this year, especially since I’ll be trying to job search on top of school work and blogging.
2. Build Strength. Last year was all about running, which I loved. However, with my injuries I need to learn to focus on other forms of fitness, while I let my IT band heal and then slowly return to running. To give myself a different kind of fitness goal, I’m going to work on my strength training, which seriously fell to the wayside during marathon training this year. I don’t have an exact plan yet, but that’s something I’m working on.
3. Continue working on my relationship with God. Becoming more religious this year has really helped me to calm down and not worry so much. Because I’ve found it so helpful and rewarding so far, I’m just hoping to continue on this trend in the next year and possibly find a church or bible study group.
4. Show more appreciation for family and friends. After spending time in Charleston last month, and finally meeting another friend’s little girl right before Christmas, I realized just how much I really miss all my friends. I’ve decided to put a little more effort into keeping touch: cards, phone calls, e-mails, etc. Nothing too drastic or overwhelming, but more than I’ve been doing.
As you can see, these goals are a little less intense than last year, but I know I’ve got a very trying year coming up with graduation, the Bar Exam, moving and finding a job, so I want to choose goals that will help me stay calm and relaxed during this time.
What are some of your goals/resolutions for 2013?
I also make some mini goals, ones that I know I can accomplish but things I still need to think about, like drinking more water, reading devotional and praying more, getting organized etc.. the fun stuff 🙂
Those are my mini-goals too!
You should add “go to church and brunch with Chelsey” to that list. Wouldn’t that be fuuuuun?! I think you’d love my church! 🙂
Um, YES! Add it on to the list!
I feel like the time you used to spend watching Netflix and browsing the Interweb should just be spent with me.
Bring the Angel soap.
Sounds like a plan Stan. And yes, the Angel Soap needs to get out more.
I used to spend a lot of time worrying about “the next step” and “following a plan” for my life, but it’s actually a waste of time since clearly God already has a plan for your life….just focus on faith and enjoying each day and the rest will fall into place in accordance with his plan. Worry is overrated.
I love your goals…and 2012 was jam-packed. I kinda don’t want you to leave Chicago…
Very good advice. And meeting you all has made leaving a lot harder. We’ll see what happens!
These look like great goals, and well done for doing so well with last years. I love setting myself goals to aim for, I doubt I’d get much done at all without them!
Me neither, I need to set some goals to help me move forward!
For me being closet to God is something I need to work on as well. My goal for this year is to run 3 half marathons and get an internship in DC. Have a great day! 🙂
Big goals but I’m sure you’ll accomplish them, and you’ll have one half marathon done in just a couple weeks!!!
Way to go on your 2012 goals, love! And I think the ones you set for yourself this year are wonderful and will challenge you in a different way. My goal/theme for 2013 is to stay in the present/moment and let everything else go! I want to keep in touch better with family and friends too 🙂
Staying in the present is a great goal, definitely something that takes some focus every day!
I’m with you on the “be me thoughtful with time” front. I do the exact same thing. I’ve decided that this quarter, I’m going to use my free time to read or scrapbook rather than watch TV. That way, I’m still being stimulated and challenged, but I still get that relaxation. And maybe I’ll start to make some progress on my scrapbooks, too!
That’s on my “To Do” list in the evening, scrap booking! I made a list of things that I could do other than watching Netflix or messing around on the internet so I can turn to it and remind myself of all the other things I could be doing.
First of all, you did really well with your goals Katie… I could not agree more about the intuitive eating one, that is a life long work in progress! Although hmm, I am going to change my thought a bit there… I would say it is achievable but harder for some people over others. Those that have disordered eating tendencies, it’s going to be tougher to practice something that is very difficult for us to achieve. You are doing great with it though and also reminding ME that I should keep on practicing intuitive eating as well.
As are as running goes, you are a flippen rockstar and certainly did so well with that goal! I think more strength training for a time will allow you to feel better both mentally and physically, I am sure it will be nice to change it up!
I have officially adopted one of your goals as mine… Utilize my time better! Like you, I am pretty darn good at wasting my time and then proclaiming I don’t have time for anything. Wrong.
I agree, on many counts! It’s definitely harder for some of us to get better with intuitive eating. I feel like I eat with my head and not my stomach. I also think focusing on strength training will be much better for me and help me feel better.
LOVE your new goals!! I think #3 is such a great idea and that you will end up loving being plugged into a church and/or small group. It might be challenging at first because it can be intimidating finding a church on your own (I did this in college), but it’s so worth it when you start building those relationships and having that community. xoxo
I hope I can find a good one. I tried out several churches when I moved to Chicago and never found one I liked, so I just gave up. Gotta start again!
Great goals Katie! I can especially relate to the one about time management…juggling grad school, TA-ing, and blogging is not an easy feat, but if I learn how to manage my time better, I know it’ll be easier.
That definitely doesn’t sound easy! I think it’s all about planning ahead and really being mindful with your time. I’m considering setting a timer for how much “internet browsing” time I get each evening so I can focus on getting other things done.
less intense but also so much more important in the long run. I guess you can really see how much you have grown this year in realizing what works best for you
These are definitely more long-term oriented goals, which is exactly what I need this year!
Great goals! I need to utilize my time better as well! It makes a huge difference in how my day goes.
Haha I hope it does for me! I spend WAY Too much time online!
One of my big goals is to really focus on intuitive eating. Similar to you, I have a tendency to binge and overeat which causes a huge amount of stress for myself. I am going to focus on eating healthy and staying active and hopefully happiness with my body will follow 🙂
I hope we can both overcome it! Feel free to email anytime if you need a friendly ear to listen!
These are all awesome goals, good luck! The first two especially are things that I need to work on. I waste way too much time on the internet that I should be spending reading or doing homework. I also really want to put on muscle this year. I used to obsess way too much over being thin, but now I just want to eat enough to fuel my body and grow dem muscles!
Good luck in muscle growth, I know it’s hard and requires some serious fueling! I’m sure you can do it!
Wow, I’m impressed. You did great with your goals! Learning to utilize free time better is such a hard thing to do, but important to learn! That isn’t something I’ve mastered quite yet. I’m also making it a point to keep in touch with people. A lot of my friends are scattered across the country and world, and it takes a lot more effort. But…I want them in my life! So I plan to reach out more.
Mine are scattered all over too, some in SC, some in CO, some in Kansas City and some in CA! It’s definitely hard!
I think your goals are AWESOME for the year! You’re right–esp since you already will have sooooo much going on too! <3
Nicely done, actually following and fulfilling so many of your goals from last year! That’s really awesome! I think this is a great list for 2013. You’re looking at what kind of a year it will be and are trying to plan ahead for optimal happiness. I have no idea what my upcoming year will be like, lots of changes. I need to think more about what my goals are going to be.
Awesome list Katie! I also want to practice intuitive eating, I can’t wait to see what tips you have to share 🙂 good luck and happy new year!
Great goals! I have some goals that are similar to yours. They are definitely in reach and not far out there!
I’d say you did a pretty good job with your goals for 2012.
I need to work on spending my time more productively too. I get caught up in silly things online when I could be reading a book or sleeping- which I definitely need more of.
Physical therapy has made me realize how important strength and balance is. When one thing is out of whack it makes everything else go wonky too.
Here’s to a great 2013! 🙂
what amazing goals! love you and congrats on 2012
Good luck with finding a church and small group Bible study! Like someone said above, it’s intimidating at first and even awkward, but just remember that everyone feels that way when they’re finding a place to call theirs and it’ll be worth it in the long run….Your goals for the year look great!
You totally aced all your running goals in 2012! Congrats! 😀
And your first two goals for 2013 are two of mine as well. I really need to keep on building strength in my glutes/legs/core so that I can get back to running without pain again. Also I want to cook my way through my kitchen bucket list and say “yes” to more opportunities this year!
I love the kitchen bucket list idea! I need to come up with a list of recipes that I’ve been wanting to try, and then make my way through them.