In this first week of 2015, I’ve been thinking about what I’d like the year to look like. As part of that, I’ve been thinking about 2014, too: what went wrong? What went right? In what areas did I or did I not get closer to my life goals? What will I do differently this year? (This post has more great questions for looking back on your year.)
On the whole, I have to say that 2014 was not my best year. Frankly, I’m really glad it’s over.
The biggest change: at the beginning of the year, I packed up my life and drove from my old North Carolina home to my new one in northern Arizona. Real talk: the transition has sucked. It’s not so much because there’s something wrong with my new geography per se, but more because of how the move has disrupted really important stuff like my career and finances. That can easily be enough to stress anyone out on the daily. Basically, it’s been a giant cluster.
On the positive side of my move, I’ve been able to do lots of exploring. I’ve visited some awesome famous destinations include the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and Zion National Park. I’ve also visited tons of other national monuments and trails in the Flagstaff and Sedona area. Even after all that, there’s still plenty I haven’t seen or done.
My fitness gains are another bright spot. I started crossfitting in June of 2013, but my new gym here has really taken things to the next level since I joined up in January. I added 10# to my back squat, 18# to my power clean, 15# to my jerk, 15# to my snatch, made massive gains on pull-ups and ring dips, PRed numerous benchmark WODs, and cut a full minute off my mile time. All at 7000 ft above sea level!
In the process, I’ve successfully gained a couple pounds of muscle mass–hey quads! The photo on the left is from April ’13, and the right is October ’14. Society beats into our head that any and all weight gain (for women) is OMG THE WORST, so truthfully I have occasionally found it difficult to accept my gains, but on the whole I’m proud of my progress. Plus, it helps me look more like a grown-@$$ woman (literally) instead of a pre-teen. ;)
Lastly, in 2014 I created Agent Athletica. I set up shop a little less than 9 months ago, and have successfully driven it from obscurity to an established presence in a relatively short time (I mean, you’re reading this, aren’t you? ;) ). In the process, I’ve learned a ton about all aspects of blogging: hosting services, WordPress, affiliate networks, SEO, and everything in between. It’s hard to overstate how gratifying my work on this blog has been. I love being able to constantly strive for improvement, experiment relentlessly, and see real results and data from all of my hard work. And of course, I love the little community of fellow addicts it’s facilitated.
Overall, I’m hoping that all the turmoil, hard work, and stress of 2014 will finally start to blossom into things that bring me closer to where I want my life to be in 2015.
Here are some of my goals for the year and what I’ll be up to:
Getting stronger:
1. Add weight to my lifts. By the end of the year, I want to add another 20# to my back squat (up to 160#) and another 15# each to my clean (to 118#), jerk (to 110#), and snatch (to 75#). If I improve my strength in these lifts, other PRs will follow.
2. Get a muscle-up. Theoretically, I should be strong enough to do this, it’s just a matter of technique. I want this box checked off in the next 2-4 months .
3. Get a Cindy score worthy of the leaderboard. I’ll need to do about 17-19 rounds to get on my gym’s leaderboard. A big part of this will be improving my push-up strength. Sometime in the next couple months, I will do a month-long challenge: I’ll assign myself a certain number of push-ups to do each day, and increase that number each week.
4. Hike the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim. This is about a 24 mile hike, and will happen sometime in late spring/early summer when the weather is appropriate. I’m really looking forward to this bucket-list-worthy experience.
Getting sh*t done:
1. Make more improvements to the blog. Most of this will be behind-the-scenes work that will improve things like site function and organization. I’ll also be experimenting with incorporating more reviews, posts about other brands, and general activewear-related topics. Your feedback is always welcome!
2. Double my blog traffic over the next 6 months. Based on previous trends and the work I’m planning to do, this should be within reach. And like I alluded to above, I love the challenge!
3. Be better organized with my work. First, I’ll track my time to see how much time I actually spend on regular tasks, which will help inform how I should structure my days as well as give me realistic expectations of productivity. I’ll be more diligent about using a planner to lay out my days and stay on top of tasks instead of my current “method” of letting my desk pile up with random scrap paper. :)
Living well:
1. Read at least 20 books. (Stretch goal: 24 books.) I love reading dystopian/fantasy young adult fiction, and I’m really excited to read Marie Lu’s Legend trilogy, which I just picked up at the library. To get through this many books, I’ll be setting aside 1 evening per week specifically for reading. This time will also help me unwind and stay balanced.
2. Pay off another chunk of my student debt. This will be no small feat, but I hate it looming over my head. I will most likely be doing a month-long spending ban to funnel money toward this cause instead, which you can imagine will be rough given the content of this blog. :)
3. Explore even more of the southwest/west. Currently, I’m planning some weekend trips to Las Vegas and San Diego. For bigger trips, I’m trying to narrow down options like Colorado, Utah, Mexico, Portland, or Washington state. I also want to hike at least 8 new local trails.
4. Round out my speed short collection by the time warm weather hits. Ok, this goal post wouldn’t be complete without a little lulu levity. ;) My speeds collection is the one I curate the most seriously and carefully (and obsessively?!). I need to track down seaside dot, chevron or which way sway, a size up in ray, a size down in flash jacquard, plus solid menthol and menthol/pow stained glass love (whenever they come to the US–hopefully Tuesday!). There are others that would be nice to have, but those are definitely the biggest priorities. Then I will be officially ready for summer. ;)
If you’re so inclined, feel free to share your 2015 goals and 2014 successes/reflections in the comments!
AMAZING Post!!! I feel so motivated by this post – i for sure will be back to post my goals by end of next week. you are a rockstar, you look to be in amazing shape, you are so talented (truly fantastic writer) and your blog is epic, truly an AWESOME blog!! i think you have inspired others to step up their game as well – always a good thing. thanks so much for all the hard work in 2014!!!
Awesome! :) Definitely come back and hit me up with what you have in mind for your own goals. I agree it’s been interesting to see how the blogosphere has evolved since I started my blog. I think it’s good to keep everyone on their toes, it helps the readers get the best possible stuff!
you should check out lev grossman’s “magicians” trilogy if you haven’t yet. most young adult fantasy right now makes me yearn for the days of tamora pierce – let me know how the “legends” books are?
Figures you would chime in. ;) I haven’t read the Grossman’s trilogy, but will put that on my list! Honestly, I usually just end up going to the library and picking something random off the shelf, lol. Not the best method. :) I’ll try to remember to let you know what I think about the Legend series!
I finished Magician series a few months ago and really loved it!! Yesterday I finished “Gone Away World” and was well-done but harder read and slower going.
Huge Tamora Pierce fan here! I’ve been listening to her audio books for the Beka Cooper series while doing my long runs and it makes the time and distance pass by so much quicker.
i love your blog – thank you for taking the time to maintain and update us on a consistent basis!
i recommend reading john green’s books – i started off with the fault within our stars and went on to an abundance of katherines and looking for alaska. they are easy to read but the stories are so good!
Good luck for 2015- i have no hesitation that your blog audience will grow :)
Thanks! I read TFIOS last year and really liked it! The wait lists for John Green anything at the library is generally kind of crazy, and I’ve never been motivated enough to recall them and wait (except TFIOS after the hype of the movie). I should check more out though. I like easy reading like that sometimes, it’s good escapism!
Does your library have a digital collection that you can check out via the kindle app? That is what I have been doing and it makes reading so much easier when I can download something to read in an instant!
Thanks again :)
I’m not sure about my library’s ebook situation. I don’t have an e-reader, and since I spend all day staring at a screen, it’s nice to give my eyes a break and look at real paper (as opposed to using a reader on my laptop or phone or something). So, I’ve never looked into it, but if I do get an e-reader it’s definitely something I’ll look into! The convenience would be great.
Love the push-up goal. I have been working on this for a few weeks. I work with a bunch of former student athletes and they have been encouraging me. My advice, most of the battle is with your triceps. Most people assume you need strong arms to do pushups… and by arms I mean biceps, when your triceps are muscles doing the work. Something that has been helping me, and it’s also something that you can do in a 5 minute break at work, is to do dips on a chair. Set a tiny goal for your dips (and do them daily) and do that for # for a week and try to increase it each week. Obviously your starting dip number should not be too easy, but it should not be too strenuous either.
I hope this helps! Let me know we can be push-up partners!
Thanks for the tips! I have noticed that my triceps fatigue first with high reps, so what you said makes total sense. I like your idea of doing accessory work to target the triceps, instead of *only* push-ups. I bet dips on stationary bars or rings would be good, too (for when I’m at the gym and have access to that stuff), in addition to bench/chair dips like you mentioned. I’m not starting my official push-up thing just yet, but I’ll most likely do a short post with my plan of attack once I come up with it. :)
I have to say your blog has quickly become one of my favourites (along with Insightful Athlete whom I’m sad that she stopped blogging). I love your writing/commentary and unique features – like Lulu problems – and I am also appreciative that you are open about your affiliate linking. Some other Lulu blogs (whom I won’t name but everyone knows) have recently started affiliate linking everything they post, never disclosed it and it’s such a turn off.
I also like that you are thoughtful about your Lulu purchases. I think it’s so easy to get caught up in what other people like and think that you need it too.
Finally I love seeing your progress at Crossfit and that you don’t always hit your goals but you persevere and don’t get too discouraged/down about it and keep working away at it. It’s motivating to see :)
Thanks! I was bummed as well that Insightful Athlete closed her doors. Glad you’ve liked what you’ve found here, though. :) My philosophy with this site is to try to bring fresh perspective and innovation into the space (which is a pretty under-saturated space for sure) as opposed to being a “me too” site that’s doing exactly what’s been done. I think I’ve accomplished that to some extent, but I’m definitely still striving to find more ways to improve and “add value”. Thanks again for the positive feedback. :)
Happy new year lovely! Have you by chance used the LLL goal setting sheet/strategy? It was the most valuable thing I got out of my short time working for them… I had never been raised to set goals like that and it was really quite a challenge! I should probably reexamine it for this year, hmm…
I have, actually! That’s partially how I got the idea to sort this post into 3 sections, which are basically health, career, and personal. I like their method of creating a vision first and goals second. I don’t strictly write one out, but “beginning with the end in mind” does better inform how to set short-, mid-, and long-term goals.
I’m a new reader, and I’m really enjoying your blog. I particularly enjoy that it’s not just about clothing, but that you also share fitness progress and workout pics.
I’m in my late 40s and am coming off 5 years of largely sedentary, 60-70 hour work weeks. Guess what happens when you reach career objectives and stop making time for fitness because work is crazy (hugely satisfying, but crazy) and you give the rest of your waking hours to family? Yeah…8-10 pounds a year. You do the math. I joke that I had reverse anorexia; in my head I was still a fit runner and gym junkie and only in pictures was I an out-of-shape overweight woman. The real solution is weight loss and exercise, but I just avoided pictures.
I don’t like my new body; it’s not just a vanity thing, although that’s there. I don’t feel strong and fit anymore and I’m not ready to feel old, so it’s time to make fitness a priority. I’ve lost 20 pounds since mid-October and want to lose another 35. I never thought I’d see a bigger number on the scale than I did at the 9 month mark in any of my pregnancies, but it happened. I just signed up for a 10 week learn to run clinic and have signed up for a 5k the first week of March. I’ll probably do a 10k in late May. I was running about 5-8k most days before I started my current role, so I know both are achievable.
My goals:
1) PRIMARY: Get back to and maintain a healthy weight. I have a muscular, athletic build (under the excess weight) so I look best at a mid-range BMI. Even when leaner I have broad shoulders, muscular thighs and calves, so I’m dense.
2) PRIMARY: Improve my cardiovascular fitness.
3) SECONDARY: Improve my upper body strength.
4) SECONDARY: Improve my flexibility.
BTW, you look absolutely fabulous in your pics; toned and strong. You should feel proud of your progress. I hope 2015 is a much better year for you. Big life changes are never easy, and sometimes it takes a little time for things to fall into place. :)
Thanks for being here and for the love, Deb. :) I’m also hoping that the first year has been sowing the seeds, and that this second year I’ll start to reap some benefits and fall into a groove. I have had *so* many major life changes the past year–I think it’s made the initial fight out of the pit a much steeper and longer process.
Congrats on all you’ve accomplished with your work, that’s definitely something to be proud of! I hope the addition of running into your schedule will make things even better for you. I like to think that time spent on health/fitness gives more time than it takes away, in terms of productivity, happiness, etc. Best of luck chipping away at those goals!!
All good goals to have! :D
For 2015, my workout goals are – first 10k run, 80k hilly road bike race, and climbing a volcano which requires 3 overnight stays in the wild (freaky about bathroom situations but looking forward to stunning sunrises) – personally, these are tough goals because I have horrible knee issues but I’m hoping to resolve them :D
Can’t wait for you to go on more hikes and post photos!
I think your blog is growing in popularity because of strong content, and honest reviews. DOn’t ever stop! I love how you carefully curate your workout clothes, and don’t think every LLM piece farts rainbows. I’m still trying control shopping and figure out 1) clothes I need to buy vs 2) clothes I lust after but don’t really need, and should admire from far 3) Do I really need all the blue and green shades of the CRB.
I hope to do more responsible financial planning. Came up with an excel spreadsheet to track milestones and progress across workout goals AND shopping/spending for 2015. I suspect I ate away alot of my money (other than shopping), and I wish to confirm and control it.
Moving is always emotional. New places, new friends, new habits, new routes, new neighbors, new job. I hope the adjustment period is over soon, and 2015 brings more sweet stuff to you!
Are you doing Haleakala?! We went in backcountry there for 3 days and was AWESOME!!! It did rain and windier than expected first day but great! And as a gal from Philly that is now super outdoorsy, you get used to bathroom situation, just know rules of where you’re going! (Some places have outhouses, some bring ur own sack thing, some dig certain depth and distance). But you get used to it!
Hi! I’m based in Asia, so I’m visiting Mt. Rinjani on the island of Lombok, near Bali, Indonesia:
http://rinjaninationalpark.com/rinjani-summit-3-days-2-nights-package-rinjani-national-park-lombok-island.html
An ex-army commando just informed us that we really need to train up before climbing so I’m super excited. You’re right, I’ll have to get used to the bathroom situation. We’re silly to fret over that, the boys were rolling their eyes.
Haleakala is gorgeous!! Just added that to my travel checklist.
Wow, that looks amazing, we might need to check it out, thanks for sharing!! For steep hikes at higher elevation then you’re used to, climbing stairs really helps withthe prep.
Not silly at all, I had some female friends come visit me when I first moved to western US and they were so excited they went outside they told everyone on the park shuttlebus after the hike!! But you do get used to it. Bring extra ziplocs (for dirties to take out in trash bag) and travel sized body wipes and you’ll be fine.
Enjoy!!!
Those are some intense goals! 80k bike race is no joke! I hope your knee stuff gets better as the year goes on. :) As for finances, I always find it’s really helpful (and revealing!) to simply keep track of which category your expenses go into. It’s easier to find waste and ways to cut down once you know which areas are sucking away precious funds.
It seems to me that effective closet curation takes *forever* to get down. That is, figuring out what you need versus want, strategies for avoiding purchases you’ll eventually regret, etc. For me, it’s been a lot of trial and error. Mostly error. :)
I actually had just moved to NC before I moved to AZ–I only lived in NC for 1.5 years. I felt I adapted much faster there, but there were less major changes that happened at the time. It’s especially tough doing back to back moves like that.
Thanks! Knees are sooo important. I really took them for granted.
I’m personally not great at moving across the city, not to mention, to a new state or city. Two states in two years is crazy. But I’m glad you’re in an area with great hikes. With two dogs. I have a cat and he scorns at hikes.
I’m so glad I’m not the only one obsessed with the menthol stained glass speeds. Seriously all I want right now…everything else (especially oil slick camo) is an easy pass for me. Happy 2015 and good luck with your goals!
My fingers are crossed for Tuesday! Although that said, I guess there’s no rush as long as they get here eventually. :) I still have like 3 more months til speeds weather…
Hi, I’m a new reader (when Insightful Athlete shut down her blog, she mentioned yours and so far I really like it). I moved from Philly to Grand Canyon about 5 years ago, and it was a really tough change (besides the obvious lifestyle differences, I went without a job after 10 months of living apart from my hubby, wound up starting my own women owned business which was scary as heck but worked out really well). I just moved to Cali 3 months ago and still transitioning – its rough! But it’ll work out. I sooooo miss northern Arizona, never thought I would! Rim to rims are amazing and there’s a bunch of other great back packing trails too, but my absolute fave trip was a two week river trip in the park. If you go with a private company (most based in Flag) can be expensive but sometimes you can get in on a private trip (just make sure they know what they’re doing!! Organizers and rowers!) But you should add this to your list for 2015-16, even if you just do a week on the tiver and hike inor out of Phantom, its amazing!!! Best of luck in the new year, and thanks very much for this blog!!!
Funny, sounds like we’ve been in the same boat for a lot of things! :) I would definitely like to do a river trip, but for now it’s a bit cost prohibitive for me. Probably something for the summer after this one. Thanks for the tips!! :)
PS – Sedona marathon (5k, 10k, half or full) at end of January is great too!!!
Hi AA- great post for the new year. I made the move from PA to Hawaii a few years ago…talk about change. The first year is the hardest after that things get significantly better. My suggestion to improve in all areas of fitness and also connect the mind body is to start to incorporate yoga into your workout routine. Some great series to read are The Selection, The Giver, Crossed…I usually read 52+ books a year, there is always one in my purse and I read whenever I can. Love your reviews of lulu! Much success to you in 2015.
That’s my hope, that I’ve laid the groundwork, in a way, for the second year to be better. 52 books a year is insane! You must be a fast reader. :) I used to always read on my commutes on public transportation (I work at home now) and would keep a book in my purse too. I read The Giver last year (Lois Lowry…unless there’s another one), but I’ll add the others to my list and see if my library has them. I usually just pick random books off the shelf (super effective method…hah), so I appreciate getting some personal suggestions from this thread! :)
I actually have practiced quite a bit of yoga in the past (multiple times a week, home practice almost daily), but haven’t figured out how to get it into my routine since my move. I did yoga for the first 3 months or so at a studio because they had a yoga challenge going that was a great deal, but I had to stop going because I just couldn’t afford it. I told myself I would just be more diligent about a home practice, but my routine still hasn’t settled down. So, still working on that! Bleargh.
Do you have Ray in size 2? I have it in a 4, and I’m not sure how much I love it since I already have zippy. I’ll keep you in mind :) for goals, I want to find the beauty in things more, and I want to get a press up handstand! This will require that I balance out my upper body musculature with some corrective exercise and some weight training. I’m excited to get going!
I used to have ray in a 2 but need a 4 now! Definitely let me know if you decide to sell. :) Good luck with your handstand situation! Basically anything handstand-related is always a big challenge!
Girl you are looking FAB!! The before and after picture is great. You look (and I’m sure feel) super fit. I started heavy weight training back in July 2014, compared to light weights and cardio before, and I gained like 5ish pounds since then. I hate the scale and I rarely step on it, but I feel and look so strong and hot now (at least I think I look hot!!).
Love your blog, and your humor. Keep it up!
Thanks Samantha! IMO, thinking you look hot is really what counts if you ask me. :) Congrats on your gains!
Hi AA! I love your blog, especially the Lulu probs posts – they never fail to bring a smile. I love watching your progress at crossfit, and the thoughtful discussion of all the new Lulu pieces. You pretty much mirror my own thoughts of some of the ridic fug things that Lulu releases – and it cracks me up! It’s nice to have an honest, funny and very entertaining blog to add to my mix. I wish you all the best and can’t wait to see what AA brings in 2015!
PS: Loving the new sportswear line reviews – I’ve found them very helpful and also a great way to redirect funds to another brand beyond Lulu.
PPS: I hope you find some mellow vibes now that your transition period is over in your new home. Moving is tough – I feel ya boo.
Take care and sending you lots of love from Bubbles & Booyah! :)
– L