Hola 2012

I'm back from Mexico and just in time to reflect on the year past and the year ahead.

2011 was a good year for me. I received multiple promotions at work, gained new friends, enjoyed good health,  traveled the world, and shared weddings and babies with people that I love.

2012 is shaping up to be another spectacular year, and I couldn't be more excited about it.

But, I do want to be a better version of myself as I take on the next 12 months.

I took a look back at my first post of 2011 where I focused on a few things I wanted to achieve, and I have to say...I failed.

My 2011 goals were broken up in sections:

Fitness:

• Complete 3 1/2 months at Motiv personal training. This is a huge financial commitment, which I think will help motivate me to get my money's worth while I am there.  Did this, spent a lot of money, didn't lose any weight. BUST.
• Run a half marathon. This has been a thought of mine for a while, and I think 2011 is the year to get it done. I really want to run the Rock and Roll Chicago 1/2 marathon in September that way I have the whole summer to train for it. I don't have any time goals, I just want to finish it - and hopefully finish it with one of my friends which I'm planning on convincing to do it with me. Power in numbers, right!? Didn't do this, but I think you may see this on my 2012 list.
• I am going to track my yearly miles and my goal is to run 400 miles this year. Didn't even attempt.
• Do something after work besides veg in front of the television. Drank. So I don't think this counts. 

Food:

• Become a slower, more conscious eater No.
• Focus on the value of foods Not really
• No alcohol, including wine, Sunday-Wednesday Not even close.

Work:

• Be confident
• Stay on task ....sure

Friends:

• Work on staying in touch. Even via email. Try and reach out to at least one long distant friend once a week. Could have been much better. 
• Make plans with friends that I don't get to see often.

Personal

• Calm. It. Down. Ha.

Okay, well, the past is the past, and the best thing about starting a new year is you get to start from scratch. 

The problem with of my goals from last year was that they weren't very measurable. Plus, I didn't ever check back to my list and measure my progress. 

But on to my 

2012 new years resolutions:

1. I will lose weight. Bottom line. And, I will start this immediately. 

How will I do this? I haven't fully committed. Exercise I have down, it's the eating I need to adjust. Maybe weight watchers, maybe the Lose it app? I don't know, but I exhaust myself constantly talking about this topic and not actually doing something, so I need to figure it out on my own.

2. I will run a half marathon 

I just signed up for this 1/2 marathon....like 2 minutes ago

AHHH! April 1st, here I COME!

3. I will be a more thoughtful, understanding, and less judgmental friend, sister, daughter, and girlfriend 

4. I will save money

I will focus on quality rather than quantity. I may spend more money up front on nicer things, but I will STOP buying junk at Forever 21, TJ Maxx, and Nordstrom's Rack.

5. I will be stronger

I will take things as they come, stand up for myself, not care what others think of my choices or decisions. 

6. I will be a better blogger.

I love to blog. It's really my only creative outlet and I vow to spend more time and energy growing this virtual scrapbook. I will have +300 followers by the end of the year, comment on more blogs, host a giveaway, guest post, figure out how to do a vlog, and do some product reviews. 

I'm so excited for what this year has to offer I could almost do a flip. I have a feeling 2012 is going to be the best year yet!

p.s. lots of mexico pictures coming up soon!