New Year = New Goals

2018 is just around the corner. This time of year allows me time to reflect on the past year and look to the new year. This has definitely been an eventful year for me and my family.

2017 Recap:

• Signed up and accomplished 2,017 miles in 2017.
• Trained and completed my first ever half marathon
• Watched my oldest son graduate homeschool high school
• Got a job at Hobby Lobby to set up store to then get offered Assistant Manager and Home Décor Dept. Lead
• My DD23 got deployed to Dubai for 6 months with the Air Force
• My oldest son became an adult
• My youngest son turned 16
• Hitting my goal weight after 3 years of working towards a healthier me through fitness/food
• I was diagnosed with Hydrosalpinx and will undergo an outpatient surgery beginning of year

This is me on the right before I ran my half marathon in May. On right is me 3 years ago, miserable with my weight gain. Weight loss and fitness goal achieved this year

Looking ahead to 2018 I have thought of some goals I had in mind to focus on. I have purchased a Commit30 planner/journal that will help me accomplish these goals. This awesome journal/planner breaks down each goal into 30 day commitment challenges. Something that is very doable instead of focusing so hard on a 12 month long goal which seems overwhelming at times.

 I have used many planners in the past, even tried to design my own. With my busy life now that I work full time and still homeschool my youngest, I didn't have time to design my pages and then actually use them so I got discouraged and didn't even try. This planner is set out exactly how I need it. 30 day increments to tackle the goals I set forth.

2018 GOALS:

My year long goal is to read the bible in chronological order. I am not going to put an absolute date to finish before end of year. Just to read it in chronological order until complete.  I have read the bible in its entirety 3 times through the Bible in 90 Days. I now would like to read it in the order of time. I already own this wonderful study bible so now I picked up a reading plan as well as the journal below so that I can be faithful in the Word this year.

With my Bible reading goal this year, I want to make God more of a priority in my life. This means weekly church services. I have let that slide due to my working full time now and only having Sundays to run errands and get household things done. This past month I have rearranged my schedule so that my grocery shopping is now on Monday evenings after work and laundry is Sunday afternoon-evenings. It's time to bring God back into my life and to make him first. To do this I've purchased this wonderful Sermon Notes journal since I love taking notes on Sunday mornings. It helps me remember what was said and I can reflect when I return home on that week's topic or discussion.

That was my spiritual goals this year.. Let's move onto my physical goals.. I accomplished my half marathon and running/walking 2,017 miles this past year. What is in store for me this year?

Weight lifting and virtual races. I have been following Flex It Pink on Facebook. A company that sends monthly boxes to motivate women to get physically fit. I have joined in their virtual races in the past but decided this is the year to commit to their monthly boxes. This one above is their sneak peak for their January box. You still have time to sign up for this. Ships January 5th at www.flexitpink.com.

Virtual races is what I found this year while on Facebook. There is so many different companies out there that support runners and walkers to set a goal and achieve it. You get a beautiful medal, race bib and in some cases a shirt too. These challenges have really helped me be a better runner. I have never been a competitive runner so our local races have always been a bit intimidating. These 'races' allow me to run wherever I want, whenever I want and for how long I want. Most are a 5K/10K race or you can do a half marathon on some too. I have 4 races lined up for December that are Christmas themed that are now on hold since I have to have surgery on January 2nd to remove my fallopian tube due to Hydrosalpinx. After recovery these races will be done along with the others I've posted above. All ready to be earned!

Weight lifting is my ultimate goal for physical fitness. Since I focused heavily on running all the miles this past year I have neglected weight lifting because I didn't have anymore time in the day to devote to it, even more so once I started working full time.

On January 15th, I am taking part with Beach Body 80 Day Obsession Challenge. 80 days of daily workouts to build muscle. 80 days to jumpstart my weight training goals and to ultimately finish my full body transformation.

PERSONAL GOALS:

I have had making a temperature blanket on my bucket list for a couple years. Since I was down this past week without work tending to my pain, I crocheted my youngest son a blanket for his 16th birthday. I got such pleasure in creating this special keepsake for him and he loves it. This allowed me to remember this bucket list goal to complete a temperature blanket so I have collected 12 different colors to represent the weather for 2018.

Downloaded a year long chart where I add the high temp each day so I can keep track of it. I plan to make granny squares to represent each day instead of a row. This will challenge me a little more and will make a nice colorful, larger blanket at the end of the year. The chart will allow me to make the granny squares once a week instead of once a day since I will be working full time this year.

I am excited for this coming year. A lot to achieve and accomplish but they are all great goals and things I absolutely look forward to.. I plan to blog more this year journaling my accomplishments and my journey..

Happy New Year everyone!