2014 is going to be an interesting and challenging year for both J and I. We’re currently pregnant and due to give birth in mid May. After that it’s 5-6 months of maternity leave for me before heading back to work in mid October or start of November. I still want to set some goals for the year though to help keep me on track to achieving both my realistic and ridiculous dreams.
Health & Fitness
* Eat 3-5 servings of fruit & vegetables every day
At the moment I’m not eating as many as I should, so next year it’s increasing the healthy stuff and decreasing the chocolate and sugar.
* Practice yoga every day for 90 days straight
Whether it’s 10 minutes or 60 minutes, I’d like to do it for three months straight. Yoga is beneficial for both body and mind and will make me feel lean and supple and healthy plus it will be good for injury prevention and ensure I’m stretching.
* Run 1000km, Cycle 3000km, Swim 150km, Weight train 52 hours, Yoga 156 hours. Walk 200km, Burn 200,000 calories in 2014
Ok, this one may be a little bit more challenging in the first part of the year with being pregnant, especially the running part but there’s no reason for me not to ride on the trainer in my living room or go for a dip in the pool for a few laps. Exercise is good for both mum and baby. Plus I’ve a race I’d really like to do at the end of the year. I’ll be using Endomondo to track my training so if you use it too let’s be friends 🙂
* Have a stronger and leaner body post baby than I did pre baby
I’m not overly worried about weight gain and not being able to return to my original size. I’m eating normally and simply listening to my body. There’s no eating for two going on here which means staying healthy and fit throughout the pregnancy and after birth should be a breeze (fingers crossed, here’s the optimist in me talking 🙂 )
* Spend more time with family and friends
I’m really enjoying entertaining at home – bbq’s, dinner parties and brunches. Hopefully, we’ll be able to do more of these things with our loved ones.
* Try a new recipe every month
That’s 12 recipes. Easy done. I’d like to do more but since we are going to be on a bit of a budget for six months, I need to be realistic here. 12 is achievable with one a month. If I do more that’s great, but there’s no pressure to do so.
* Compete in 6 races
These mostly will be in the second part of the year although I was thinking about doing a 5km race at 6 months pregnant though I haven’t been running too much lately so that might not be an option however if I do maintain a 2-3 day per week running schedule over the next eight weeks then I will do the Feb race however I will run it, not race it.
Races I’d like to do in 2014: 2x 5km / 1 x 10km / 1 x 21.1km / 1 x 42.2km / 1 x 400/15/4
* Write, sell and have 12 articles published in print or online magazines/blogs
That’s one per month. Easy-peasy and no excuses that I don’t have any time.
Personal
* Attend 12 ToastMasters sessions in my local area
My public speaking ability and confidence in crowds is mediocre at best and this gets me down. Someone recommended Toastmasters to me about two years ago and I’ve been meaning to go but never got around to it. 2014 is the year to get it done.
* Finish writing the novel, have it edited, and self publish
I’ve been writing forever, I figure it’s time to get serious and get published even if it’s not in the traditional sense to start with. The writing part is mostly done, now it’s just getting through the editing stages and getting the balls to publish it.
* Write and/or take a photo every day from 1 Jan 2014 to 31 Dec 2014
This is to get my creative juices flowing. I did get a kikki.k 365 days book for Christmas so I’ve no excuses now.
* Find balance between being a mum, staying fit and active, and building the career of my dreams
A baby is meant to add to your life not take away from it. Things will change, I’m well aware of that but I can’t see myself being one of those mum’s whose life just revolves around their children. J and I are going to have equal roles, and my mum cannot wait to be a grandma and has already signed up for lots of solo grandma and baby time which will make finding balance much easier.
* Start a part time business
I have several ideas floating around, now I just have to put them into action. Freelance and copy writer, full time blogger, personal trainer.
* Read 52 books
I average around a book a week thanks to the 3hr commute from home to work and work to home five days a week. I have 5000 books stored on my computer to get through, better get cracking 🙂 + scored a Kindle for Christmas from J!
* Return to learning a third language
Chinese and Italian or Spanish. I would love to be fluent in three or four languages. I’m fluent in English and Polish so a third language would be good. I did Italian in school and Chinese a couple years ago so one of these would be a good start.
* Get our finances in order and invest for the future
Shares, property, business, and passive income come to mama
* Focus on one main task each month to achieve all my goals
Each month will be specifically dedicated to one activity. For example, January is all about finishing editing the novel; May is relaxing with new baby; June is all about slowly easing back to training with daily workouts; August might be the start of 90 days of yoga.
What are you planning for in 2014?
