I am not really a fan of New Year's resolutions as a rule, mostly because I suck at keeping them. Typically I make them, they last a little (a very little) while, and then they fall by the wayside. I can't even tell you how many January 1sts I have spent making all these lofty weight loss and fitness goals, and for various reasons, failed to follow through. I do think though, that the start of a New Year is a good time to reflect on life... to take a step back and think about where you've been and where you want to go. To kind of revise your short term 'bucket list', so to speak. I've seen quizzes like this on other blogs, and thought it might be sort of cathartic to look back over 2010 and consider some goals for 2011.
1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?
Became the parent of a teenager (our oldest turned 13 in May) I may need some help to get through the next 18 years (That's how long we'll have teenagers in our home. Really!)
Ran a 10K (maybe I should start by saying that I ran further than from the grocery store to the parked car when it's raining out, because that's probably the furthest I had run since high school PE class)
Ran a Half Marathon
As a result of the above accomplishments, I have also reached a weight that I'm happy with for the first time in my adult life.
Learned to water ski after MANY failed attempts over the years.
Hiked my first 14er (Mt.Elbert, the highest peak in Colorado)
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Like I said, I'm not in the habit of making them anymore, because I would always just end up feeling like a giant (chubby) failure. However, weight loss has been an ongoing goal of mine pretty much since I started having babies, and I did know from fairly early in the year that I would be doing a 'Biggest Loser' type contest. So, I can safely say that losing weight was a goal for me this year. I lost a total of more than 25 pounds, and am fitting into a size I've never worn in my adult life.
I think I actually will write out some goals for myself this year. Maybe if I put them in writing and share them with others, I may feel some accountability and work harder to achieve them. Or? Maybe I'll just feel like a failure again. Oh well, I guess I'll just hope for the first option.
Things I HOPE to accomplish in 2011:
• Run 3-4 times a week
• Train for and finish another half marathon
• Run a full marathon (OMG did I really just say that?)
• Pay off our debt
• Climb another 14er
• Make more time alone with my husband (let's start small... once a month)
• Read at least a book a month
• Manage my stress and anxiety a little better
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
I am caring for the little munchkin of one of my husband's colleagues while she works. She wasn't really close to me when she gave birth, but BECAUSE she gave birth we are getting closer.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes. My grandmother passed away. She had been battling dementia for a long time, and didn't recognize me the last time I visited her, but it was still hard to know that she was gone from my world completely.
5. What countries did you visit?
We have 5 kids, living on one salary (plus some daycare income), and trying to pay off our debt. I would say that traveling out of the country is pretty much beyond our means for the foreseeable future.
6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
I would like to have no debt (aside form our mortgage). I am hoping, at the rate we're going, we can achieve this by mid year.
7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
May 31st - First 10K (time 56:55)
August 4th - my grandma's passing
August 14th - First Half Marathon (time 2hrs 6min)
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I would consider finishing a half marathon my biggest accomplishment. Crossing that finish line was the best feeling, and I will absolutely participate in more races.
9. What was your biggest failure?
I tend to let stress make me into a bona fide crazy person, and unfortunately for my family, they tend to bear witness to the craziness.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I tend to be pretty healthy, but I had a hamstring injury back in September that slowed me down for a few weeks. I also had surgery to fix a gnarly varicose vein that had been getting bigger and bulgier for the last 8+ years, but the recovery was quick and easy.
11. What was the best thing you spent money to get?
I would say the surgery to fix the gnarly vein, but we had almost met our deductible by that time. The trip Zack and I took to Leadville to go rafting and hike our first 14,000 foot mountain was money soooo well spent. Three nights alone together can do wonders for a relationship. Also, we just replaced our old, bulky, broken TV with a nice, big flat screen. We have been watching lots more movies as a family, and playing the Wii together.
12. What did you get really excited about?
My races were definitely exciting. I also get pretty darn excited when I get to see my friend of 20 years, Jamie. We managed to get down to New Mexico to see her this summer.
13. What song will always remind you of 2010?
Move Along by The All American Rejects
I ran to this song a lot this year, and it never failed to keep me strong.
Speak to me, when all you got to keep is strong
Move along, move along like I know you doAnd even when your hope is gone
Move along, move along just to make it through
14. Compared to this time last year, are you:
– happier or sadder? Happier.
– thinner or fatter? Thinner.
– richer or poorer? Because our debt has been paid down so significantly, I would say richer.
15. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Scrapbooked (the further behind I get, the less motivation I have!)
Played with my kids. You know... the get down on the floor with the toddler kind of play that, for me, too often comes AFTER the cleaning.
16. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Stressed and worried over things that were beyond my control
Raised my voice at the kids
17. What was your favorite TV program?
I watch hardly any TV, but we always watch Survivor as a family. It's probably not the best show on TV, but there aren't a whole lot of options that are appropriate for the whole family.
18. What were your favorite books of the year?
The Hunger Games series, The Girls With the Dragon Tattoo Series, and The Help
19. What was your favorite music from this year?
I rediscovered a lot of music from my youth (particularly Depeche Mode) this year, and I love me some BEP or Pink when I'm running.
20. What were your favorite films of the year?
I didn't watch as many movies as I would have liked, and most of them were PG (a few PG-13s thrown in for good measure)
How to Train Your Dragon
The Girl Who Played With Fire (most definitely NOT PG)
(The Backup Plan was the worst movie I saw. Trust me when I say, DO NOT waste your time on that one!)
21. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
It was just yesterday, and we spent the afternoon plying the Wii, and then went out for dinner as a family. I am now 37 (even though I don't feel any different than I did when I was 29).
22. What one thing would have made your year more satisfying?
Less health problems/scares for my children. They are all fine, but we had a couple of minor surgeries and a visit to Denver Children's Hospital to see a specialist (not to mention our ER visit on Christmas Eve).
23. What kept you sane?
Exercise. My dear friend, Jamie (I swear she kept me from going over the edge more than once this year). Coffee. My husband. Writing.
24. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
I am worthy of the effort. I am worthy of the hard work. And it's totally worth it.
Wishing you all the best things in 2011!!!
