As you may know, I came up with a list of goals for 2016 at the start of the year and I check in on them each month. For the past 5 months it’s been challenging to really work towards most of these goals due to an injury. Some of my goals were more about forming habits, which I feel like by this point I have accomplished. I decided it was time to think about what I would realistically like to achieve by the end of the year. It worked out that this happened to be the topic for Tuesdays on the Run, so I figured I would post now rather than waiting until the beginning of November.
Which of my goals have I already accomplished?
Most of my fitness goals were derailed when I had to take quite a bit of time off of running. One of my goals was to continue to work towards staying strong and healthy. I never felt like I stopped working on this, but I learned that I had to take a slightly different approach to my injury prevention. So while I didn’t really achieve this goal, I put in SO much work towards it, so that has to count for something.
I won’t be running a sub-1:40 half or getting a BQ this year, but I did already PR in the 10 miler, 6k and 10k distances.
My other fitness goal was to do at least 10 push-ups 3 days a week. Most of the time I include push-ups in my workouts, even though I still don’t love them. (Does anyone really love push-ups?) This is one of those goals that has become a habit and I don’t think I need to focus on it anymore. Besides, I would rather work on increasing reps or focusing on form rather than worry about doing them 3 days a week.
As for my “other goals” (improve posture, move more, save more money, meal prep, and unplug), I think these are all things I have put enough effort into and I know think about them each week. I would rather shift my attention towards some specific things I want to work on for the rest of the year.
Goals for the rest of 2016:
1. Practice Pilates once a week
I definitely think Pilates can be beneficial for improving my strength and stability, so I want to try making it a part of my routine for the rest of this year. I think I need to give it enough time to see whether or not it should be a consistent part of my workout routine.
2. Update the blog
I mentioned a few months ago that I wanted to makeover my blog. I have been thinking about this a lot and am hoping to start the process soon- maybe even this week. This may mean posting less and putting more time into developing my blog. Stay tuned!
3. Engage in exercises that feel good, mentally and physically
I know better than to try to live up to any expectations with my running for right now. Of course I want to be able to run more, but it’s too frustrating to think about reaching a certain milestone when I am constantly having setbacks. Instead, I want to enjoy staying active in whatever way I can. Hopefully having access to a bike now will give me a chance to improve my endurance and use other muscles besides those I use for running. However, there will definitely be days where I just need to get outside and clear my head. The goal is to just work with what I need mentally and physically each day.
4. Eat different vegetables
I have gotten into a rut with my meals, and I recently realized I eat the same vegetables every day. Even if this just means planning one different meal a week with a veggie I don’t eat regularly, that is good enough. I usually gradually switch up my meals/foods every 6 months or so but I don’t feel like that has happened in a long time.
5. Take time to turn off my brain
Some days I feel like I am constantly “on”- between working all day and doing blog stuff and other chores and errands. I want to start making time for activities like reading, journaling, or just doing nothing. This is probably the hardest goal of all but I think I can try to do this at least once a week.
[Tweet “End of Year (Revised) Goals for 2016 via @runningoutowine #tuesdaysontherun #goals”]
I’m linking up with No Guilt Life, MCM Mama Runs, and Marcia’s Healthy Slice for Tuesdays on the Run!
Have you revised your goals for this year?
What do you want to accomplish by the end of the year?
I love the last one, lol. And I like the eat DIFFERENT vegetables. I definitely have my go-tos as well!
Yep, it’s so easy to fall into the habit of eating the same things every week.
I’m been thinking a lot about my running goals for this year (and next year) a lot lately too. I think some revisions are coming from my end as well. Planning 12 months out is hard!
Definitely! I am thinking I will approach my goals differently next year. Maybe come up with a couple of long term goals but really focus on short term goals each month.
I hear you on the eating and activity ruts. I am right there with you. I’ve changed up my veggie intake a little to incorporate seasonal ones, but still so much room for improvement. I’m pretty much off the rails on goals this year. Oy.
Its so hard to work on goals for an entire year. A month or two is much more manageable!
I get in a veggie rut too, always buying the same ones and cooking them the same ways. I need to start getting different ones. I always want to take time out for myself and just relax or read a book, but I feel guilty doing that because I know other stuff needs to get done.
Exactly! There is always something to do, and I always end up grabbing my phone and checking my email or scrolling through instagram even when I am supposed to be relaxing.
Unplugging would be nice. I just have to move my phone across the room, and learn to ignore it. I can unplug when I visit my parents on vacation, so why can’t I do it regularly?
I know what you mean. I can disconnect when I am on vacation but when I am home I feel like there is always something to do.
I totally relate to having to be intentional about doing nothing!!! It sounds crazy but it is SO TRUE. I get it.
Yep. It’s pretty much impossible for me. I can zone out when I am running, but other than that I am always thinking and planning and doing. I should probably try to learn how to meditate (I don’t think I could do it…)
I Just need to eat more vegetables and actually get back to yoga 1x a week and strength training. I’m feeling weak after all this running!
This is the perfect time of year to take a break from the running and pick up some other activities again!
It’s great when goals that you set are met and become a regular routine, that’s what happened to me and cross training. You have some really solid goals remaining for the year. I recently updated the theme to my blog but I still want to keep tweaking things to my style. I’m hoping to pick up more motivation for some things that I want to do with it, but there’s always so much going on!
Yea it’s tough to keep up with it all! At least blogging helps us to stay accountable most of the time:)
I agree that strength training and working on injury prevention should be an ongoing goal for all of us! Congrats on the PR ‘s you made this year!
Thanks! And yes, I don’t really think of it as a “goal” anymore but more of a requirement.
I think it’s so important to reassess goals throughout the year – a year is a long time and many things can change! #1 & 4 are especially great goals. I have the goal to read more as well – my brain tends to be “on” all the time and I often feel as if I am working in some way or another all day long.
I think working from home would make it really hard to differentiate between work time and personal time. As it is, I am always checking my email at home and go right into blogging stuff after dinner. It would be good to turn off my brain but I know it will be really hard!
You had a lot of PRs this year! As far a veggies, I mostly eat broccoli. I suppose I should branch out too, but let’s just be happy we eat our veggies, right!? I love turning my brain off. I hope you get to do it more… like once a DAY, not once a WEEK!
I think I need to start with once a week for turning off my brain! Its much easier on the weekends.
I think taking time to turn off our brains is so important. Definitely something I’m working on!
Its so hard but so important!
Thanks so much for sharing. I like how reasonable your goals are. I think I usually bite off more than I can chew.
I think my goals that I set in January were a bit ambitious, so it was helpful to make some adjustments so I can hopefully finish off the year strong!
Another veggie rut wallower here! My eating habits have really stunk lately plus I’ve been drinking wayyyyy too much coffee. (Hard not to do while writing!) I need to add pilates to my weekly schedule as well! Thanks for sharing the Pilates for Runners tape – will have to check that out. 🙂
Oh I hear you on the coffee! For a few weeks last month I was really going overboard. I am working on cutting back a bit.
It is so easy to get into a rut with meals, i am in the same place. I tend to go with easy…it is good to just add one new veggie at a time.
Focus on what you can do sounds perfect. That is what I try to do too. I just want to get this marathon done and i will feel fulfilled for the year 🙂
Congrats on the PR’s!
Easy meals/veggies are key! And I know the feeling of just wanting to get through your race!
Oh man, I really don’t love push ups either! I wanted to say they were the worst but then I remembered pull-ups… those are definitely my least favorite exercise 🙂 It sounds like you have made some good progress with your goals and I’m sure blogging about them keeps them more at the forefront of your mind!
Considering I cant even do a pull-up I would say those are pretty tough, probably worse than push-ups! Yes, the blogging definitely helps to hold me accountable with my goals.
I like your last goal too! I think it’s awesome you want to eat different veggies. I stopped eating veggies for months. I was having horrible stomach problems and thought my salads were the problem. I finally figured out it was the veggie burgers that I was eating with my salads – so salads for lunch again it is!
Weird that veggie burgers hurt your stomach, but at least you figured it out!
That last goal is so important and I need to do that too. I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately…if I’m not blogging, I’m thinking about my next post…then I’m working and my mind is always running there…I definitely need some downtime!
I know what you mean. Even when I am not actually working or blogging I am still thinking about it!
I definitely need to work on turning off my brain too! If I’m not working, I’m blogging and if I’m not blogging, I’m volunteering and if I’m not volunteering, I’m working on something on my endless to do list and I am in SERIOUS need of some downtime!
I think we all need to figure out a way to build in some time off into our schedules! With technology and social media it feels like we are never really “off”.
I think it’s a great idea to check in with goals at this time of year. In fact, I’m inspired to go revive mine and check in with them as well now! It sounds like you’ve set some really healthy, doable goals. Nice work!