The end is in sight…coming through January with a smile
We are nearing the end of what I am quite sure is the longest month of the year. Typically, December seems to fly by…and then Father Time takes his foot off the gas, and January stretches on long past its welcome, leaving me feeling like a kid on a too-long road trip. Are we there yet?
For some glorious reason, this year has been different for me. Perhaps it is because we have spent most of the month in Southern Utah, where the weather is a little warmer and the skies are much more blue (no inversion).
Whatever the reason, I have not experienced the winter blues that so often plague me in January.
Now on to the real reason for this post…an update on those goals I set back on January 1. While we still have a week of January to go, I have decided to report on my goal progress on the final Thursday of each month, so I can participate in the monthly What’s Been on your Calendar link-up.
As a reminder, instead of New Year’s Resolutions or a Word of the Year, this year I plan to set monthly goals that support my core values: health and fitness, joy, learning and growth, and relationships.
Health and fitness
January progress
1. Complete the Yoga with Adriene’s FLOW a 30-day Yoga Journey.
I am on track to complete the journey. So far, I have completed each day’s 20-minute yoga session and am loving it! I have every intention of keeping my perfect record through the end of the month.
2. Sign up for and begin the Orangetheory Fitness Transformation Challenge.
I can call this one complete, as I did sign up and completed the initial InBody scan. The 8-week challenge began on January 22, so I’ll have more to say on this in the coming months.
I’m being vulnerable here and sharing the summary results of my initial scan. As you can see above, I’m in the average range for weight and muscle mass; however, I am slightly above average for body fat mass. While I’m not overly focused on my weight, I would like to see more of that weight shifted to muscle mass.
Also, in case you’re curious, the percentages on the Segmental Lean Analysis represent a comparison to the ideal range based on age, gender, and size. Any areas under 100 percent or that are not balanced between the right and left sides are areas to focus on building muscle.
February goal
I will continue the pattern of setting two goals in this area. (Is it a pattern if you do something just twice?)
- Continue with the Orangetheory Fitness Transformation Challenge, by completing at least three Orangetheory Fitness sessions per week and tracking my food intake with a focus on eating real food, not too much, mostly plants.
- Get my colonoscopy. Some of you may recall I committed to doing that before the end of 2023. I didn’t follow through. This time, however, I am serious…serious enough that I have scheduled the appointment.
Joy
January progress
Make preliminary plans with my husband for our next travel adventure.
I will call this one complete, considering that the goal was “make preliminary plans.” We have decided on a trip to the Grand Canyon. Now we just have to decide exactly when and make the arrangements. Looking into this travel adventure definitely brings me joy! Mission accomplished.
February goal
This month I want to focus on experiencing the joy of everyday experiences by being more present in the moment. This will be an exercise in awareness of my tendency to get caught up in my head and bringing myself back to the present experience when I catch myself doing that.
Learning and growth
January progress
Experience something new closer to home. In other words, go some place or see something I’ve never seen in my own hometown.
I am calling this one deliciously complete. While I wasn’t really thinking about food when I set this goal, I received a gift card for Dirty Dough for Christmas and discovered that this fabulous find is right in my community. I tried something new and experienced joy doing it. Check and check.
February goal
Brush up on my French by completing two lessons on Piece of French. I was regularly watching these videos and doing the exercises, but have fallen out of the habit. I’m not sure why, as I really enjoy the videos, and the experts say learning a language is one of the best ways to keep your brain sharp. Heaven knows my brain needs all the help it can get!
Relationships
January progress
Celebrate my 25th wedding anniversary with Larry.
Mission accomplished. We had a lovely celebration, including dinner at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. My husband sent me 25 roses, one for each year that we have been married. They are beautiful, and the house smells heavenly. I’ve been taking plenty of time to literally stop and smell the roses.
February goal
To clarify, this category includes cultivating relationships with loved ones, of course, but also expands to include connections with all humankind and other beings.
February’s goal is centered on committing an act of kindness for someone I don’t know: donating blood. I had been donating regularly for the past couple of years, but it’s been almost five months since my last donation. By setting this as my goal for February, I hope to restart my momentum and donate more frequently.
Your turn
That’s what I’ve been up to. How about you?
- How was your January?
- Is there something fun on your calendar?
- What else is on your mind? Anything at all; I just love to hear from you.
Happy 25th Christie and Larry. Wishing you a wonderful trip to the Grand Canyon. Richard and I visited last January and found it absolutely breathtaking!
Thank you, Donna! I am excited to see the Grand Canyon.
Hi Christie – Happy anniversary to you guys and I’m glad you’re ticking all those goals off with ease. I’m not a monthly goal maker but I always admire others who are and who intentionally fulfill what they set out to do. I hope February is a fabulous one for you.
Thank you, Leanne. For now, the monthly goals are working for me. Of course, knowing me, I may change my method halfway through the year!
Happy Anniversary and what a special gift of roses. I loved reading how you are going and what your plans are. Well-done! Here in Australia we think (I do and others!) that January can be slow but that relates to very hot days. We are on our 3rd day of a heat wave. here in Sydney…temps over 38d celsius but the promise of cool change is on its way later this afternoon. Take care, Denyse
Thank you, Denyse. I’m doing my best to send a little of our cooler air your way. 😉
Christie,
Glad to hear about your progress in reaching your goals. What you’re doing (not just thinking about it or writing about it but actually doing it) is inspiring! Keep going strong, lady. I love that you’ll be checking in each month with your progress. That accountability is so important and something that I tend to lack. *sigh* As each month before it, January is flying by for me; however, I’m going to try and finish out this last week strong. Not sure exactly how, but, hopefully, it will be something I can be proud of. My internal percolator is starting to warm up and, hopefully, some ideas will start to well up and take shape. Happy anniversary to you and your hubs, my friend! Those roses are gorgeous and that bakery treat looks intoxicating! It’s so important that you work in treats with fitness goals and glad to see you doing this. Mona
Thank you for your kind words, Mona. I know that feeling well of wanting to do something you can be proud of, but not being quite sure what it is. I believe it will come together for you soon. Wishing you a fabulous February!
Happy anniversary to you both Christie’s. I love reading goal posts and it’s great to see you ticking them off. January is hot here but this year isn’t as hot as usual
Thank you, Jen. It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years! Enjoy the rest of your summer. Hopefully, the slightly cooler weather will continue for you…assuming that’s a good thing.
January has felt interminable, which is a real change of pace, as last year the months seemed to positively race by. I wouldn’t mind if the pace stayed about the same, as I prefer feeling like I have time to get stuff done rather than having to run to catch up each and every day.
Nothing fun scheduled for the month – it’s been focused on recovery. I had not anticipated there being so many Don’t dos involved with cataract surgery. And there’s the second eye to come in a few months. But forewarned ‘n all that.
Wishing you continued recovery from your surgery, Debs. Hopefully, the second one will go a little easier, now that you know what to expect.
Oh & how remiss of me, I meant to say that your anniversary sounded just lovely and the pictures I’ve seen were gorgeous <3
Thank you Debs. We did have a lovely anniversary!
Happy Anniversary! I’ve been thinking about a trip to the Grand Canyon so I’ll be interested to see what plans you make 😉
Thank you, Sharon. I’m looking forward to seeing the Grand Canyon and will definitely share my experience.
Happy Anniversary, Christie we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary last year. I love the photo of you both. It is so lovely of you to join us for #WBOYC? and I love your idea of goals and reporting in on progress. Some of your goals are similar to mine. I’ve been doing a daily workout of some sort for 30 minutes and on track to finish January with a full 31 days of movement. I’m combining, Adrienne (love her calendars), GET Healthy U TV workouts, running and walking and I’m feeling so strong. I can’t stress enough about getting your colonoscopy. The prep isn’t pleasant but the alternative is worse. My dad died from bowel cancer back in 1981 so I’m vigilant with my testing. Have a wonderful February and I look forward to reading your update. Have a fabulous weekend. x
Thank you, Sue. Where does the time go, huh? I’m glad to hear that you are feeling stronger once again. And thank you for the encouragement on getting my colonoscopy. I’m a couple of years behind, so I definitely need to get back on track. I’m pleased to report that I’ve kept up on my other screenings. Happy weekend to you too!
Congratulations on the 25 year anniversary. We too have that milestone and are going to one of the places we went on our honeymoon (but with our youngest kid in tow – the other 2 are adults). I have to say I am quite excited.
Congratulations on the healthy living. Great work.
Your Jan is the longest month – ours is holidays and summer so NEVER long enough!
#WBOYC
Congratulations on reaching your milestone anniversary, Lydia. What a great idea to visit someplace you went on your honeymoon. Have so much fun!
Gorgeous roses and yummy anniversary treat,, happy anniversary!
Thank you Marina!
I like your roses and anniversary treat. Congrats on 25 years together. You’ve set yourself up for a wonderful February after, as you said, January the longest month of the year.
How was your January? My month has been gray and long and tedious, but I figure that means the next 11 months will be better, right?
Gray, long, tedious Januarys are the worst, Ally, but as you said, it has to go up from there, right? Here’s wishing you a bright and happy February!
I’m very impressed with the 25 roses. My January seemed to fly by, even with some extremely cold temps and gray days. I got to wear my wooly socks, polar tech jackets, and leather coat!
I like our idea of monthly goals. I still focus on seasonal plans – it gives me 3 months to get certain things done. Hope February brings you joy in each day!
The comfy winter clothes are definitely the upside of a cold January, Pat. I did enjoy the opportunity of wearing my boots and leggings while we were in the colder end of the state this past week.
I’m liking the monthly goals too. Here’s to a joyful February!
Again, Happy Anniversary! It looks like you’re right on track with your monthly goals. Growing up January was not hard for me because I looked forward to the next very exciting holiday-my birthday! And even though now I do not enjoy getting older, it’s better than the alternative. 😉
I can see how looking forward to your birthday would make January less difficult. I do like that our wedding anniversary is in late January for the same reason of having something to look forward to. And I must agree with you that aging beats the alternative! Happy birthday to you!
Happy anniversary Christie, and what a lovely gift to get 25 roses!! Your focus for each month is a great idea. I’m having similar scan next month so will be interesting and scary to see the results ,w ell done on sharing! Great to have you join us for #WBOYC
Thank you, Debbie. I was happily surprised to come home to those roses. Good luck to us both on our medical tests!
Happy anniversary! Looks like you had a great start to 2024.
I used to live about an hour from the Grand Canyon. Feel free to reach out if you’d like any information from a former almost-local.
Thanks for sharing your monthly goals. Your efforts are inspiring me to set some clearer goals, or at least intentions, for next month.
I would definitely love to hear what you have to say about the Grand Canyon area, Janet. Thank you. My first question is do you have any recommendation as to which rim we should visit first, or is that decision more a matter of convenience? We will likely be coming from Las Vegas.
Sorry, just saw the comment notification. I’ve only been to the South Rim, but I’ll tell you what I know from others. The North Rim has fewer visitors and fewer services so it’s less crowded. I believe it closes during winter too. So which to choose would depend on what you want to do, what kind of accommodations you’re looking for, and what time of year you wish to visit.
The South Rim gets *very* crowded on weekends, especially in summer. It’s lovely in winter (by which I mean, not many people there), and if you can visit when there’s snow on the ground, it’s magical. Spring tends to be windy. Summer is usually comfortable at the rim but hot in the canyon, and it’s also monsoon season so expect some afternoon thunderstorms. Fall is usually lovely though nights can get cold.
If you have more specific questions, feel free to shoot me an email. My Gmail is authorjanetalcorn.
Thank you, Janet. I really appreciate the information. We plan to go either late April or mid-September, and luckily, as I am retired and my husband is self-employed, we can plan to go mid-week.