The end of the year provides a wonderful opportunity to look back on the last year of experiences and reflect on how they have shaped and changed us. It also signals the start of a new and exciting year full of possibility. Soon I’ll share my goals for 2017 but before I do its good practice to first to look back on the year. Celebrate successes, acknowledge areas where I may have fallen short. Identify what I can improve upon, and simply reflect on the year and the impact it has made. Without further ado….my 2016 Year End Recap
Fitness Goals
Health & Fitness
My plan was to focus on reestablishing my fitness routine post pregnancy with 4-5 one hour workouts a week with one long run.
SUCCESS: I have been able to maintain a minimum of four 45 minute workouts a week since 3 months postpartum. At eight months postpartum I started light running on the treadmill. By ten months postpartum I was outside running 4 times a week with one long run. The intensity and appearance of these workouts and runs is much different. Many of my workouts now take place at home, and I don’t always have time for workout clothes so PJ’s it is. Sometimes there is a baby incorporated. Long runs prior to pregnancy were anywhere from 10-19km. My long runs now are 7.5km, but the distance will come with time.
Running
I was registered to run the BMO but acknowledge that it would be too close to my due date. I wouldn’t have enough time for recovering and training. I intended to still take in the positive energy by cheering on the runners. ?
SUCCESS: I cheered on runners at both the BMO Vancouver Marathon, and the Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon.
I planned on getting a jogging stroller.
SUCCESS: ,It’s not the skookum stroller I originally had my eye on, but it was FREE and it does the job!
I intended to run 6 races in 2016; June 5km ChildRun, 10km Blueshore Financial Longest Day Road Race, 10km or Half- Scotiabank Half Marathon, SeaWheeze Half Marathon, Vancouver Rock’N’Roll Half Marathon, 10km or Half Fall Classic.
FELL SHORT: My fall at 37 week and the Separation of my Pubic Symphysis lengthened my recovery process considerably. I am listening to my body and taking things slow. Although I fell short of achieving this goal, I consider it a win for having the discipline and patience to allow my body the time it needs to heal safely and completely.
Yoga
I intended to take up yoga once a week for 2-3 months to help with postnatal recovery.
SUCCESS: In the first half of the year I did yoga videos for runners from home. Once I got comfortable Momin’ I joined a mom and baby yoga class at Perfect Hearts Yoga in Steveston.
Family Goals
Take a more active role in the cooking and grocery shopping. Helping to ensure we have plenty of healthy snacks on hand, and home cooked meals prepared.
SUCCESS: Thrilled to report that I have been able to achieve this in the last 6 months of the year. I have followed local dietitians Berry Nourished and Crystal Higgins- the Flexitarian Diet to get healthy inspiration. We have even incorporated #MeatlessMondays into our dinner rotation.
My main objective for our family ensuring that everyone continues to feel loved and
respected, while taking care of our newest member.
SUCCESS: This goal is not quantifiable. However I will say that both my Step-daughter and Step-Son have been AMAZING big siblings. My heart bursts when I see them playing with their little brother. The love they have for him is undeniable and the adoration and love he has for them is amazing. I am truly blessed to have all three of them in my life.
FUN Goals
We received the MEC Happytrails Child Carrier Backpack and I planned to use this on the following hikes: Buntzen Lake, Brandywine Falls, Gold Creek Falls, and Iona Beach Regional- Park
FELL SHORT: Sadly we didn’t make it to any of these hikes. My injury prevented me from doing any of these for the majority of the year. By the time I felt capable to do them the weather had turned. 🙁 I’ve had considerable time for recovery so I should be ready to hit the trails in 2017…..now to MAKE the time. 😉
We wanted to run in the Color Me Rad 5km and the Vancouver Pure Protein Night Race.
PARTIAL SUCCESS: My step-daughter and I had fun participating in the Color Me Rad 5km in May. I wasn’t able to run at that point so we walked. It was a great way to get out and do something active and fun. We didn’t make it to the Pure Protein Night race. At this time I was struggling with a baby that made bedtimes a Mommy only affair.
We wanted to take a Summer vacation. I was not brave enough to plan a camping trip with a baby under the age of 6 months. So it had to be an affordable summer rental that would fit our budget.
SUCCESS: Thanks to family and friends we were able to go on not one, but TWO summer vacations. The first, to Nanaimo where we visit my brother for 5 days. Here we were able to go for walks, take in some of the local beaches, and spend time with family. The second, to the Sunshine Coast for a week. Here we Kayaked, SUPed, hot tubbed, and enjoyed incredible views.
Business Goals
FELL SHORT: BAHHAHAAA, I made and ambitious list of 8 business books to read for personal development. Again it must be said….oh, how naive was I. These days I don’t have much time for reading….and when I do the list looks a little bit different from what I set out at the beginning of the year. ?
With regards to my fitness business I wanted to blog a minimum of twice a month. Start teaching and training twice a month. and explore the idea of incorporating some sort of baby and me stroller fit classes into my skill set.
PARTIAL SUCCESS: I blogged one a month for the first three-quarters of the year and twice a month for the last quarter. I was able to start teaching 4 times a months in September. I investigated incorporating a Stroller and me class into my skill set but by the time i felt confident to take this one I found Ii wouldn’t have the required availability. It doesn’t mean its not a possibility it just may not happen as quickly as I originally thought.
Financial Goals
Maintain the financial progress made in 2015, while budgeting to avoid unnecessary debt.
MAINTAINING: We have managed to keep a float despite the increased expenses a baby brings and our increased rent. The real struggle is still to come in 2017 when we add full-time daycare to our list of expenses.
overall
In 2016 I navigated the final stages of pregnancy. Experienced child-birth. Witnessed a miracle. I fell in love. Learnt to be a Mother, and I watched my family grow not just in size, but in LOVE.
2016 was an incredible life changing year…….Looking forward to 2017!!!
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