New Years Resolutions 2012

Well, it’s that time of the year again. 

I’ve read posts from a lot of my favorite bloggers today, and found that new years resolutions can be a somewhat controversial topic.  Some of you believe that if you want to change a certain habit or do something big like lose weight or train for a big race than you have every day to make that change, so why wait for the new year.  I do agree to that to some extent, because “today is the first day of the rest of your life.”

Nevertheless, I made resolutions for myself last year and kicked butt making most of them come true.  When I first started this blog over a year ago, I used to set some monthly goals or challenges for myself.  Lose this many pounds, read this many books, learn to do this….yada, yada, yada.  Sometimes I reached my goals and sometimes I never reached those goals, but I did learn a bit about goal-making in the progress.

• Made goals specific!  “Lose Weight” is not a specific goal.  “Get into a healthy BMI range by joining weight watchers to lose weight”…much more specific.
• Be realistic.  There is no way I could train for a full marathon that is taking place in a month.  It would be unsafe and unrealistic and making goals like this just sets you up for failure.
• Make milestones along the way.  One of my goals last year was to run a half marathon, but along the way I did my first 5K, 5 milers, 10 miler, and triathlons.  These were milestones along the way that enabled me to train for a larger goal.
• Go in with a plan.  If you want to learn piano, then know how you are going to do it.  Do you have one to practice on?  How much will lessons be?  Is it realistic with your work schedule?

Here are some of my goals and resolutions for 2012:

Fitness Goals:

• Incorporate more strength training into my workouts.

I tried to get a jump on this resolution a little early.  I love strength training, but it had fallen by the way side during the year.  I’m going to target at least two strength workouts per week in 2012. 

• Complete at least 6 races that are 10 miles or longer.

So basically 10 milers and half marathons.  I’m going to target racing about every 6-8 weeks, give or take, because I have found that it is easier to stay in shape, than to get back in shape….learned that one from Skinny Runner.

• Compete in a bike race.

 

• Complete at least 2 triathlons. 

 

• Do more yoga! (vague)

So more specifically, try to attend at least 2 yoga classes a month.  Once a week is ideal, but certainly not realistic for me.

Personal Goals:

• Keep in better touch with old friends

 

• Make more time in my schedule to spend time quality with friends

 

• Fundraise for one of my races this year and try to raise money for a good cause.

 

• Do less…so I can do more.

This is vague, but just in general, I hope to not “over schedule” myself so much that I end up not being able to do as many things as I’d like to do.  Sometimes you need to do less to do more.

• Minimize

I have…so. much. “stuff.”  I am moving in May to a new apartment, and one of my goals is go really go through everything I have.  If I haven’t used it in a year, if I don’t have a need for it, if it’s taking up valuable space, it goes….give it away, donate it, purge it, etc.  I really want to have a clutter free space when I move with ample storage for put things away, so I am going to try to minimize and organize my “stuff.”

Professional Goals:

• Finish the “school” portion of pharmacy school and start my year of rotations successfully

• Start to contemplate my career tract as a pharmacist and make strides to get the job I want

 

• Make-over the blog (in progress already)

 

• Learn to use Adobe Light Room

 

Kind of a lot, but I think they are all very doable.  I really want to get into even better shape, and continue to reach my goals by racing.  I will set mini-goals along the way, but if I am able to successfully complete these resolutions by the end of 2012, then I will be a very happy girl. 

If you are thinking about making a “crazy” resolution…DO IT!  Never underestimate the ability you have to surprise yourself.

Any big (or little) resolutions that you guys are setting this year? 

Hoop Dee Doo Review

Yesterday my mom and I did some damage at the outlets in the morning.  The outlets in Orlando get mobbed so we got up early and headed there to avoid the crowds.  It was still crowded, but not unbearable.  We did some shopping at Michael Kors, Coach, LuLuLemon, and 7 for All Mankind outlets.  Outlet shopping is the best :-)

After coming home and eating lunch, I knew I had to hit the gym, but I really needed a nap.  I took a couch snooze for a bit, then woke up and realized I didn’t has as much time as I thought before I had to pick up my Dad and brother from golf.  I quickly laced up my sneakers and hit the community (small) gym since it’s closer and took less time to get there.  It was fortunately not very crowded, and I was able to get in the workout that I wanted!

12/29: 60 minutes elliptical and weight training arms

I mixed up the strength training by doing some free weights, dips, and push ups. 

Later that evening, my family and some friends all went to the Hoop Dee Doo Review in Disney’s fort wilderness.  Basically, it’s a dinner show, but we love it and have been there a million times.  It’s one meal served family style: Corn bread, salad, ribs, fried chicken, corn, mashed potatoes, baked beans, and strawberry shortcake…very healthy right? 

I was a bad blogger and only snapped some pictures of the first course…

…but I assure you it was all delicious.  There is a part in the show when they pull up people from the audience to participate in “the big spectacle” and we were joking that maybe Joe would be pulled up (he arrived to spend a week or so with us down here earlier that day.)  Well, joke was on me because I was pulled up to be the can-can dancer. 

As many times as we have seen the show, this was the first time I was being pulled up on stage (my brother was asked once before when he was young but declined.)  My family LOVES this show and I think it made their life that I was picked.  There was no option to decline, so up I went onto the stage.  They took me back-stage and told me my line which I had heard a thousand times before.  They kept asking me over and over again what’s your line?  Remember your line?  I wanted to say, I could play your part if you needed me to…THAT is how many times I’ve seen this show.  Of course I was amazing…if I do say so myself.

At the end I got a certificate that granted me all the rights and privileges of the rest of the cast “basically none” as well as a photo they had taken of me on the stage.  It was a fun night had my all.

Tedious Tread-milling

Today’s workout just seemed to keep getting put off later and later in the day.  I slept in, woke up and checked emails, ate some brunch, and watched a show that I had taped from the night before.  I then was getting ready to lace up my sneakers when I realized that my planned workout would be 2 hours or so and my dad needed the car at 3.  We compromised and left at 2, I dropped him off at golf and then took the car to the gym.  Having to work a car schedule around 4 people isn’t easy. 

Today’s workout…was brutal.  I find anything over 5 miles on a treadmill to be boring and tedious.  I was determined to get it done, and did a similar motivational technique as yesterday’s run (3 songs running, 1 song walking, repeat).  It was nice not to look at time or distance but to focus on just completing 3 songs at a time.  The short term goals made it much more bearable, and after every four songs I would change the artist for the next batch.  It was an interesting technique that did the trick. 

12/28: 7 mile run and weight training legs

I also kept telling myself that this was my longest planned run until after the new year.  Once I got it over with there were easier workouts ahead of me.  Yay cross training days!

My legs were pretty spent after 7 miles on the treadmill, but I did a light leg strength training session because I still had a little left in me to give!

Exercise	Reps	Weight
Leg Extension	15 reps	45 lbs
Leg Press (feet in)	12 reps	70 lbs
Leg Press (feet out)	12 reps	70 lbs
Lunges	20	0 lbs
Step Ups	10 each leg	0 lbs

I did the circuit through twice and called it a day before picking up a few items at the market for the family and picking my dad back up from golf.

By the time I was home, it seemed as if the day had gotten away from me.  It was nearly 5, and since we had dinner plans for 6:30 I had to shower up and get ready.

Dinner was at the steak house in our golf community called Forte.  We have eaten there before and always love going.  It is definitely a special treat! 

After eating enough so that my stomach was about to explode (that oh so good and oh so bad feeling), I decided that next time I should probably just get an appetizer and sides.  The sides were definitely my favorite part, and although the steaks are great, it is just a ton of food. 

My three favorite beverages, riesling, water, and diet coke

Creamed corn au gratin

Potatoes au gratin

Mashed Yukons

Pomme Frites with truffle mayonnaise dipping sauce

I was so excited snapping pictures of the delicious carby family style sides that I forgot to snap a picture of my own steak.  Dumb blond moment.  I assure you the steak was awesome.  Also, there was a green veggie, asparagus, but that didn’t make the cut for photos either.  You can obviously tell what I was most anxious to dig into after a 7 mile run…

After dinner with a belly full to the brim, I plopped on the couch and watched every single episode I had left to see of Revenge.  My family had heard that it was a great show so we started watching the first 10 episodes 2 days ago…well obviously it is amazing because I’m already caught up and can’t wait for the new episode next week!  ABC.com has all the full episodes posted so I HIGHLY recommend watching them if you are looking for a good show to get into over the holiday week.  It’s smart, suspenseful, and the characters are well thought out and captivating.  A+ in my book, and I watch a lot of shows so that is saying a lot. 

Tonight I am exhausted!  I never go to bed early enough even though all week I’ve been tired enough to go to bed at 8pm.  I need to have some willpower to hit the hay because I am getting up early (for vacation-time Shannon) to go to the outlets with my mom tomorrow!  Lots of good after Christmas sales to take advantage of!

Anyone else find the treadmill to be tedious after a certain point?  What is your limit for miles put in on the treadmill?

After 5 I start to get delirious.  Today’s 7 was grueling.  I might be able to make it to 8 if I was determined.  Anything after that would probably never get done.

New Years Resolution Recap 2011

This morning, I slept in gloriously late, ate a fueling breakfast, laced up my sneakers and hit the gym for my first workout during my vacation in Florida.

Breakfast - Thomas’ everything bagel thin with Philadelphia spinach and artichoke cream cheese, 2 devilled eggs, and a handful of grapes. 

Fun Fact – When looking at the nutrition between Philadelphia spinach and artichoke REGULAR cream cheese and Philadelphia 1/3 less fat cream cheese, there Regular one was lighter than the reduced fat.  Hmm.

I had a great workout at the gym and stuck to today’s plan.

• 12/27: 5 mile run and weight training arms check!

For my 5 mile run, I hopped on the treadmill and was going to try and watch a show on my iPad.  Unfortunately I was having technical difficulties so I decided to run for 3 songs, walk for 1, and repeat until the 5 miles were over.  The time flew and even with a lot of walking, I finished in under and hour and felt strong.  I used today as a day to increase my speed a bit while I was running, and I ran at a pace that was definitely faster than my normal jogging pace outdoors.

For the strength portion of the workout, I did 2 sets of an arm circuit of machines.

Exercise	Reps	Weight
Chest Press	15	30 lbs
Fixed Pull-down	15	55 lbs
Shoulder Press	12	35 lbs
Row/Rear Deltoid	15	50 lbs
Tricep Press	12	65 lbs
Assisted Dips	12	-100 lbs
Assisted Chin ups	12	-100 lbs

I was definitely feeling the burn.  I tried to increase by a few reps and pounds with certain machines that I knew I could be challenged more on.

Post workout lunch – chopped onions, peppers, tomatoes, grilled chicken, brown rice, and some Philadelphia regular cooking cream all mixed together for a little stir fry.  Plus 1 serving of fat free BBQ Pringles which officially finishes up that can.  Pretty sure no one else was enjoying them either…hmm.

Looks like a big mess, but it tasted delicious.

I thought now might be a good time to assess some of the New Years Resolutions that I set for myself this time last year. 

Resolution 1 – Run a 5K

Check! I ran my first 5K on February 25th 2011 and then a total of 7 5K’s during the year. 

Resolution 2 – Run a 10K

Well, I never officially ran a 10K, but I did run two 5 milers as well as longer races.  It just was hard to plan a 10K that fit in with my work schedule.  So officially it wasn’t reached, but it was due to scheduling conflicts.

Resolution 3 – Run Broad Street Run

Check!  My friend Pam and I completed the Broad Street Run in about 1 hour and 50 minutes with smiles on our faces.  Did I mention we ran the Sunday before taking 5 finals.  Eek!  We were definitely determined.

Resolution 4 – Run a Half Marathon

Check!  I had signed up for the half marathon in Philadelphia in September, but I knew that I did not train enough to have a good experience running it.  I pushed back my first half until November 21st and ended up running with my friend Ro.  We crossed the finish line in just under 3 hours.  It was very challenging, especially the last 2 miles, but well worth it.

Resolution 5 – Complete a Triathlon without drowning

Check!  I completed two sprint triathlons this summer and I hope to complete more next year!  I found them to actually be more enjoyable than a straight running race because the mini-goals reached along the way kept things more interesting.  Funny enough, I was most worried about the swim, and it ended up being my favorite part!

Resolution 6 – Log at least 1,000 miles in 2011 by foot

Epic Fail.  After running the Broad Street Run 10 miler, I started getting more into spinning and other forms of cardio.  I mentally needed a break from running.  Up until May, I was right on track to finish the year strong and over 1,000 miles, but the pressure of HAVING to run to get enough miles in and not fall behind was annoying.  If I want to spin, I should spin!  Not have to run 3 miles because of my running tally. I stopped counting around June, and don’t have any regrets for throwing this resolution out the window.

Resolution 7 - Get through my 4th year and first semester of 5th year of pharmacy school

Check!  I finished both 4th year and the first semester of my fifth year strong!  I cannot believe that I only have one semester of classes left before my year of rotations.  Where did the time go?

Resolution 8 Train for a marathon!

“My hope that 2011 is a year of great progress.  My ultimate goal is to run a marathon in late 2011 or early 2012.” 

I know that I definitely want to run a marathon someday, but that day is not here yet.  I have a lot of stress on me with school, work, and a hectic schedule in general.  Will I run a marathon in 2012…maybe, but probably not.  This is something I’m moving from the resolution list to my bucket list.  I want to train really hard when I eventually do it, and I’d ideally like to run it with a friend so I had someone to train with.  The idea of running a 20 mile training run alone is just depressing and intimidating. 

Dear 2011, I’m happy to report that I pretty much kicked your butt!  2011 was a year of some amazing changes.  In the beginning, I could barely run a mile without stopping.  Now, I’m running half marathons.  I know that in the upcoming year, I will progress even more.  I want to improve upon my speed, increase my endurance, and tackle some new obstacles. 

I only have a few days left to finalize 2012’s New Years Resolutions.  Better get brain-storming!!!

How did you do with this years resolutions? 

Assessing the Damage

I am definitely feeling the effects of the holiday season.  So many parties, cookies, and nights of enjoying wine have left me feeling…well not at my leanest..that is for sure.

Days of Vacation (so far): 10

Days of Cruising: 4

Workouts: 5

Miles Run or Walked: 9

Meals Out: A trillion

Holiday Parties: 4

Pounds Gained: 4

Days Until Disney Half Marathon: 12

The Plan:

• Try and eat meals at home
• Watch portion sizes
• No more than 1 diet soda per day…I need to hydrate better in general and especially in preparing for the half marathon.
• Stick to the following training plan.
  • 12/27: 5 mile run and weight training arms
  • 12/28: 7 mile run and weight training legs
  • 12/29: 60 minutes elliptical and weight training arms
  • 12/30: 3 mile run and weight training legs
  • 12/31: 5 mile run
  • 1/1: Off
  • 1/2: 8 mile run
  • 1/3: 60 minutes elliptical and weight training legs
  • 1/4: 30 minutes elliptical and weight training arms
  • 1/5: 60 minutes elliptical
  • 1/6: Off
  • 1/7: Disney Half Marathon

(I’m going to try not to modify this training plan, but I will allow some movements since I am back in Orlando on vacation and don’t have any idea of my plans yet.  Ultimately, I’m aiming to have each workout completed before the half.)

Dinner tonight was a cook out.  When we arrived home from the airport I immediately did the two most important things…pick up my gym pass for the next two weeks at a local gym and go food shopping.  We got a ton of great food so we did a little cook out tonight and had a great late dinner.

On my plate: Homemade macaroni salad, Alexia onion rings, corn, a chicken kabob, turkey dog, devilled egg,

Full disclosure: Had seconds on the macaroni salad, 2 other devilled eggs, and half a can of light fat free Pringles.  I am not proud of this….it was all just so good.  Something to hope for in 2012…self restraint.

And just for laughs because I came across these photos…

My cousins and I Christmas 1993.

And Christmas 2011.

Same exact order and they still seem to match for holidays….might we weird now that we are all in our twenties…hmm.

Clips From Christmas

Christmas Season

We have been running around this Christmas season!

On Thursday we went to a great Christmas party at Aronimink Golf Club with some family friends.

Then yesterday, I went on baking overload making some holiday treats!

Reindeer Chocolate Cupcakes

Christmas Tree Milk Chocolate Brownies

Oreo Cheesecake Bites

Peanut Butter Cookies

I also made some un-pictured chocolate covered pretzels.  Talk about a dessert overload!  Luckily we had a party in the evening and I was able to share these desserts with about 70 of our friends and family.

The house was decorated for the holidays both inside and out…and there was a ton of food to be enjoyed!

Once the party started, I put the camera down and enjoyed the night!  I did grab one picture with my girlfriends, but unfortunately no other candids or food shots to share. 

Christmas Eve is a low-key day for my family.  It’s a bit of a recovery from last night’s party.  We will enjoy a night of leftovers from last night’s dinner, watch Christmas movies, go to church, an exchange some presents.

During the day today…I might walk on the treadmill for 5 hours straight…I kid..sort of.  The delicious food and wine I’ve been enjoying daily during the cruise and holidays have not been good to me.  Time to start getting that holiday weight off before it get’s too settled!!!

I hope you all have a happy holiday with the ones you love!