I woke up this morning in Tahoe next to my two loves – Casey and the poodle, of course – and felt really grateful for having been blessed with such a fantastic year. I still can’t believe 2014 is coming to a close (where did the year go?!!?) but am happy for all that I have accomplished and am pumped for what lies ahead.
I had plenty of challenges in 2014; some that made me feel like flipping off the whole year (and playing the goodbye and f*u game). I’ll save the specifics of these challenges for a chapter in my book someday….
But really, when I look back on the year, despite all of the challenges, I just feel grateful. For starters, I married the love of my life, I went on a dream vacation, I launched this blog, SweatGuru and Sweat Pink have continued to grow and amaze me, I ran 100 miles (woot woot!), launched Glider Yoga and started teaching again and amazingly kicked off a very successful first year of BlogFest (seriously, huge pats on the back – it was one hell of a conference – and is only going to get better in 2015).
Whew, I get tired just reading all of that. Ha.
With 2015 right around the corner (like as in tomorrow), I started to think about what I wanted to accomplish. I’m not one for resolutions and I don’t particularly like to hold myself or others to some long laundry list of random goals. Instead, I like to give myself a word or a theme for the year. And was so excited when we (SweatGuru and Sweat Pink) decided 2015 was going to be the year of #NoExcuses. It just fits so perfectly with where I want to be and how I want to grow this year.
Professionally, No Excuses means that I’ll continue to work hard and grow my two companies. But if there are challenges or things don’t go right, there are no excuses. There is nobody to blame but myself. And there is no falling down and not getting back up again. Even when I feel like just throwing in the towel and playing goodbye, f*u (which seems to be a monthly occurrence), I’m going to stick it out. And be positive. And surround myself with positivity. And I’ll know that if I continue to press on, those challenges will soon be a distant memory (a chapter in a book). Perhaps even something to laugh at.
Personally, No Excuses means that I’ll continue to grow as a person, a wife, sister, daughter and friend. I want to build on my relationships and show up for the people in my life. Make more time for conversations. Spend less time in front of a screen. Spend more time listening. And spend way less time bitching. I want to show up for people – whether simply being there for a friend to talk to or by simply making dinner / drinks dates to catch up and have a little fun.
For my fitness goals, No Excuses takes on a few meanings. I want to train harder and improve as a runner. I want to take on my next 100 miler in February and do my best to complete it. I want to smile the whole damn time. And I want to get faster, in general. And I know I can get faster if I truly put in the work. So No Excuses. I’m going to show up and get faster this year. I want to go into my workouts, runs and cross training with vigor. I want to stop skipping my early morning workouts and show up for them (like not just be there, but BE THERE). I also want to deepen my yoga practice – both teaching and learning – I want to be better at handstands and all the cool kids yoga poses but I also want to be a better teacher (and a better person) – meaning I need to find time for the mat even if my schedule is hectic. And even if its time on my mat at home. No Excuses. I also want to try new challenges. I’ve been running ultras – lots and lots of ultras – I also do yoga – but I want to challenge myself in new ways. I want to do another triathlon (get my butt back in the pool and on a bike!), I want to try new sports (snowshoeing, for instance), I want to take friends up on fitness dates – whether its rock climbing, a bike ride, or even a Pilates or barre workout (yes, I’ll even show up for that…). 😉
And travel. Yes, travel. I want to take super inspiring trips with Casey, my family and friends. I want to make the most of my time – whether its traveling to my next 100 miler and allowing myself to stop and smell the trees (or er, canyon) or traveling for work and making time to discover where I am (whether by going on cool runs, finding good coffee shops and yoga classes or even just meeting some new friends) or even just taking little weekend trips. I want to show up and be present when I’m there. Not always glued to a screen. Or stressed and anxious about what lies ahead in the following week.
- No Excuses – the alarm goes off, I am getting up for that workout. Showing up.
- No Excuses – I can’t run because I’ll be sweaty and have no time for a shower. ShowerPill will wipe that excuse right out. No Excuses – I want to do a triathlon but I suck at biking. I’m a Sweat Pink & Coeur Sports Ambassador – many of my teammates are accomplished triathletes. I can LEARN to be better at biking. I have an amazing support network. Seriously, no excuses.
- No Excuses – I want to get on the mat more. I will get on the mat more. I will become a better teacher and student.
- No Excuses – I will try new challenges.
- No Excuses – I will make the most of my time. Wherever I am.
With a #NoExcuses 2015 right ahead of us, what excuses will you throw out the window? And who’s with me?!?!
Jane says
January 1, 2015 at 12:19 pmGreat post! I love the No Excuses mentally and am going to adopt it for my 2015 too. Happy New Year!
Jamie says
January 4, 2015 at 8:12 pmWOO HOO! So glad you’re joining in on the fun. 😉 #NoExcuses
Morgan says
January 5, 2015 at 10:54 amAbsolutely with you there! One of my themes for this year is INTEGRITY, which to me falls completely into the #NoExcuses theme for the year. Nice one!
Jamie says
January 5, 2015 at 11:15 amLove it, themes are SO much better than resolutions 😉