Tag Archives: New Year’s Resolution

Entering a new year with appropriate expectations

Oz had me up just after 4 this morning, which ended up being fine by me. December 28th is traditionally one of my favorite days of the year, and the reason is this post. I love looking back at what I wanted for myself over the past year, what I accomplished, and dreaming of what is to come. This year is going to be a bit different though, because I have realized something over the past few month. My own expectations ruin experiences for me.

I usually write out what I call challenges, not resolutions. People break resolutions, but as a competitive person, I find that if I feel challenged or someone challenges me I tend to have more drive to follow through. I developed this way of thinking with my friend, Greg Hunn, who doesn’t even know it but is a modern day philosopher. He always has the wisest words to say, and it seems like we tend to think of and contact each other at the right moments, when we need each other. He said something very profound to me the other day via text, ” Probably all of our conflicts in life come from our idealistic perspectives being disillusioned. We superimpose our beliefs on reality.”

Once I had time to digest those words, which happened during a time period when I felt like I was mourning the loss of what my reality should have been, it changed my whole perspective on my life. There are things that I would like to accomplish this year, sort of a 2019 To-Do List, but I have decided not to set any expectations on how I get to those goals. I hate feeling like I have disappointed myself. This is not to say that I will set my expectations low. I want to maintain high expectations for myself, my family and my life. I just want those expectations to maybe be a little less formal so that how I accomplish them is not a frustrating process that makes me forget what I am working toward.

I feel like a lot of moms probably feel what I am feeling, but the truth of the matter is that I have a LOT going on. The mom brain is not like any other. It is constantly running thinking about everyone that needs taken care of in her life. This is definitely true for me.

Moral of the story is that after 2 extremely challenging years for me, I am ready to live my best life in 2019. I have an extremely wonderful situation, and I will strive to make it even better for my family every day.

Looking Back, Moving Forward

It’s been the best of years. It’s been the worst of years. My baby was born and has made our life full and sent us in a new direction. I haven’t slept in 6 months. Life is so vastly different when you become a parent. “I” have taken a back seat, which means running, health and fitness have all fallen to the bottom of the priority list and shear survival remains at the top of it.

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Yesterday was Cub’s half birthday. He is doing so well, with 2 teeth, eating (what seems like) gallons of baby food a day, and can play by himself with not much help from mom for a few minutes at a time. I finally feel like I am in a good place where I can move up the list just a few notches. And what a perfect time of year. January 1st always gives you hope for a new start and a refresh.

I am ready for a refresh. Being a new mom is so full of joy, but at the same time, it can make you feel completely deflated. I find myself trying to make it from nap to nap (Cub’s naps, not mine), and have to adjust my thinking as to cherish all my moments with him, not just when he is happy and cooing, but when he is crying and crabby too.

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With that being said, I have been pondering my New Year Challenges, which I post every year. I started this blog a few years back to hold myself accountable for my running challenges. It has since turned into a Jen’s life blog, which is fine, but has strayed from its original purpose, sort of like my life.

With just a few pounds of baby weight left to lose, I have upped my weight loss challenge. People only know what they are taught. I, fortunately, had parents that made sports and fitness a priority in their lives, as well as ours. Cub deserves the same. He deserves fresh, healthy meals, opportunities to run, jump and play, and a mom and dad that do everything in their power to stay healthy so that they can live a long, happy life with him.

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So… Here it goes! My 2016 New Year’s Challenges:

  1. Lose 20 lbs.
  2. Eat a cleaner, more simple diet
  3. Keep better track of the good things that occur in my life
  4. Judge less, listen more
  5. Attempt to run at least 1 mile everyday in 2016
  6. Document my strength and struggles here for you all to read

I know there are some lofty goals in there, but I am going to attempt to be a better person than I was this year. I think that all these challenges will make me a better mom as well. Cub deserves the best me, and I am going to do everything in my power to give that to him.

So here’s to being better, stronger, healthier and smarter in the new year.

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New Year, New Me

Wow… I failed miserably at the 2011 Running Year. It lasted a whole 22 days into the new year. Well it is January 3rd, and I am gonna try it again. 2011 was a very hard year for me. I faced many challenges, and I realized who I am and how strong I can be. Life throws you things that you don’t expect sometimes, and after going almost a whole year with not enough exercise, I am excited to get back into my formerly healthy ways. So here is how the year is going so far.

I have decided to take it slow. No sense jumping into this at 1,000,000 miles an hour if that is not going to help me stick to it. On January 1st, I took Lucy on a run, only about a mile, but it felt good. Today I did a Nike workout, and I am planning a run for tomorrow.

You have to start somewhere, and I am doing ok… I’ll keep ya updated.