Jenn’s Goals for 2013: A Healthy Tweak Here and There

In 2013, I have dreams of spending more time sitting in zen and less time just sitting.

This week, as part of New Year New Rear Week, each FBG is sharing her healthy goals and resolutions for 2013 and recapping how 2012’s goals went down. So let’s get to it!

You guys know me; I don’t exactly do the “resolutions” thing any more. But I love me some goals. Goals, goals, goals. Just the word makes me happy and brimming with the possibility of a new, fitter and happier everyday life. Man, I love the New Year!

But before I get my 2013 on, let’s recap how my 2012 healthy goals really ended up. I gave a progress report here, and, honestly, I haven’t done much more. My diet is dang clean, I flow more and I have made fewer, more meaningful goals. Over the past month, I have been better about foam rolling and stretching a few times a week, but it’s not as much as I wanted it to be. And the 10 pull-ups in a row? Well…no. As you might remember, I came down with the stomach flu and had to take some time off from the gym earlier this month. So I blame that. But I know FOR SURE that I’ll do it in 2013. And that’s a pretty good feeling. So, I’m calling 2012 a success! Not perfect by any means, but you know how we feel about perfection anywho.

Okay, so enough about 2012, let’s move on to the new, exciting stuff: 2013!

Jenn’s Healthy Goals for 2013

1. Use technology more. I know I’m a blogger and all, but when it comes to my healthy goals, I’m pretty old school. I’m not a huge online workout tracker (I do like the pen and paper), and I just got an iPhone (at long last!). But, dude, there are so many cool techie things out there! So this year, I want to not just try this or that for review posts, but I also want to really get in and use it. Technology is so rad. Just this week I tried an app called Thryve that helps you track how food makes you feel (no calorie-counting!) that is super amazing. And, I just started using the AnyList app for my grocery store lists, which is super handy and way more eco-friendly. I mean, what else is out there? I must know.

2. Use technology less. You know I’d have a counterpoint to No. 1, right? Just because I want to use technology more, doesn’t mean that I need to use it incessantly or just because it’s there. Rather, I want to find the best stuff that improves my life—not just eats up time. Which is why using technology less is my second goal. When I’m out with friends or around the house relaxing, I simply don’t need to be on my phone or checking Facebook every 20 minutes. As great as all of that stuff is, so is, ya know, life and real relationships.

3. Make a habit of meditation. I’ve been meditating off and on for years, but I’ve never made it a daily practice—or even one that I do consistently for more than a week or two here and there each year. But I want this year to be different. I want to make meditation a darn-near daily habit, kind of like exercise. I just finished doing the Oprah and Deepak Chopra 21-Day Meditation Challenge, and I seriously loved it. Just 15 minutes a day, it brought so much peace and joy to my life, and I looked forward to it each and every day. The challenge is now over (sad face, Deepak and Oprah), but I don’t see why my practice should be. So I’m making a goal to keep it up! Om…

4. Do 10 pull-ups in a row. You knew this was going to come up again, right? Yep, I’m just not ready to let it go. I’m so close…and I’m so ready to hit this one and then top it!

5. Stretch myself. Okay, so I’m rolling two things into one here, but in 2013, I do want to continue foam rolling and stretching more often. But, in addition to the physicality of stretching, I also want to metaphorically stretch myself. I want to continue dropping my ego and trying new workouts. I want to go out and do new things. I want to travel to new places. Generally, I  just want to put myself in more situations where I can grow and learn. I have a hunch a lot of new things and opportunities will come this year, and I want to have a game-on attitude about experiencing all that life has to offer!

You know, looking at my list objectively, it’s kind of interesting. For the first time in I don’t know how long, I don’t have a single food-related goal/resolution. And, really, my fitness goals are pretty reachable, too. I think that’s because—of even all of the years that we’ve been doing FBG and preaching a healthy lifestyle—I’ve truly settled into a way of eating and working out for me that is balanced, fulfilling and that just feels right.

I feel so blessed to be here, too. I know we talk about this like ALL THE TIME, but it’s so true that a healthy lifestyle can completely change your life. For me, workouts and eating right aren’t torture—they are a privilege that I enjoy and even savor. It didn’t happen overnight, and it’s been a journey, but I kind of feel like I’ve really figured out what works best for me. And now my 2013 goals are just to tweak that a bit more on the lifestyle side.

What are your goals or resolutions for 2013? Are they big audacious goals? Or more tweaking like mine? —Jenn