Resolutions | Do You Have a Jungle Princess?

Believe it or not, it’s March freaking 1st. How does time seem to FLY by so fast any more? Whoever read my Resolutions Don’t Have to be Cliche post knows I had set some pretty obtainable goals to hit. I am winning my compulsion to constantly “mirror check” myself, especially in front of my daughter, so that’s a plus. Washing her hands more… check, no biggie.

On the downside, I have sucked big time at keeping up with the no bread and beer goal. To be fair, I was doing REALLY good with it and the results were exactly what I was looking for… I FELT GREAT! Though, not being bloated and in effect having a smaller belly was a bonus, this was all about feeling better and man was it working. But you know how it goes… ok ONE BEER here, ONE SLICE OF BREAD there… turns into 2 beers and a sandwich on pita bread and Krysta feeling icky the rest of the day. WOMP WOMP.

So I’m taking it back a notch again. And to help me do so I am recharging myself with a March Madness Workout Calendar designed by the beautiful and strong, Joanna Teplick Graves, to kick some flabby arse. This awesome friend (more like family) has been helping people burn fat and build muscle in Stowe, Vermont for years now with her JoMotion Fitness classes. Lucky for all of us not living in Stowe, Joanna also shares free workout calendars to help those needing a little help getting started!

So today, on this rainy day in Costa Rica, I am RECOMMITTING MYSELF to getting lean and mean. And I will let you in on one more little secret… I turn 28 April 22nd, and I fully plan on having Abs(ish) by then! So March Madness here we come and Abs-in-April, this is HAPPENING. Eat right, drink water, workout out… it’s really not that hard people! The whole world (ok a couple hundred people) now know my goal, so I HAVE TO HIT IT! Download your awesome calendar, check out Jo’s page and follow it so you are in the know whenever she shares a new calendar and make the change you ALWAYS think about!

Who’s with me? What’s your favorite healthy snack or workout? Bra bulge be gone, lower belly blaster… let’s hear it!

So we’ve all heard it year after year, “New Year, New Me!” While there always seems to be people who snicker at the concept of resolutions, I personally don’t see a problem with it. In my opinion, a bold starting date, such as the 1st of the year, seems like a great jump off point to get your goals and butt in gear.

I think the problem comes when people try for something either unrealistic or something they probably already know they won’t follow through with. Why start something you can’t finish? Of course, resolutions are meant to be challenging, but keep it within the realm of reality and your sanity people.

So for me this year I have 3 small New Year’s resolutions. One is for me to feel better, one is to help Kennedy in the current (and get Abasi off my back : ) shhh) and the other is to help Kennedy in the future.

The first is pretty par for the course for me these days… I just need to really commit to it. Ever since being pregnant I have developed an intolerance to beer, bread and pasta. To take those 3 delicious staples from my diet, you would think Kennedy hated me even before she was born! In fact, Abasi says he got suspicious that I might be pregnant when I told him I “wasn’t in the mood for pasta” right before we found out about Kennedy. HELLO RED FLAGS!!! Well after the pregnancy it continued and me being stubborn it definitely took some time admitting to it. I have done pretty well with getting the main culprit out, which is pasta, but I still dabble in beer and bread. WHO WOULDN’T RIGHT?? Well for this upcoming year, I want to go from Jan 1st to my birthday, April 22nd, without any of it to truly see if it makes a difference in my health. Pray for me friends, this will be TOUGH!

Secondly, I want to work on something SUPER EASY! I am the first to admit my downfalls and as a parent I am certainly not perfect. But this one is so easy, I know I can fix it if I am just MINDFUL about it. So here it is…. I’M BAD AT WASHING KENNEDY’S HANDS BEFORE SHE EATS! Whhheewww, weight off my shoulder, save the ‘Mom of the Year’ award until next year, you now know my dirty (literally) little secret. I am super good at getting home cooked meals ready in a snap, serving it up exactly how Kenny will eat it and setting up her little table. I GET SO CLOSE… and then I just let her go to it. Well, it is kinda gross, especially being a tiny little force of nature constantly doing things in every conceivable nook and cranny in the house. AND this is one of Abasi’s BIG hangups… he is super good at remembering this. So, as silly as it may seem, I am going to be VERY mindful about washing Kennedy’s hands before she eats. Moving on.

Finally, this is something I have been very aware of for a while, but until Kennedy really started mocking every little thing I did, I didn’t think of the consequences of. I think I do something that easily 75% of America does without thinking twice. When I walk past a mirror, especially the more I work out, I stop and check myself out, flex or lift my shirt to see my tummy. One day, I was walking by the mirror in my bathing suit and stopped and checked out my figure. I saw Kennedy stop playing with her toys and notice what I was doing. I decided then, that I wanted to make this change. I am not going to completely stop “analyzing” my fitness results but I am going to stop fussing about myself in the mirror in front of Kennedy. I want my daughter to know that she is strong and beautiful from the inside out, not the other way around. I am happy with the way I am physically coming along which is a great thing. I am glad Kennedy sees Abasi and I working out, getting stronger physically and mentally, but I don’t ever want her to obsess about her looks.

One day, I was walking by the mirror in my bathing suit and stopped and checked out my figure. I saw Kennedy playing with her toys beside me stop and notice what I was doing. I decided then, that I wanted to make this change. I am not going to completely stop “analyzing” my fitness results but I am going to stop fussing about myself in the mirror in front of Kennedy. I want my daughter to know that she is strong and beautiful from the inside out, not the other way around.

So that’s it. Nothing too crazy, nothing too unobtainable. I will work hard at these (and I’m sure many other things that need constant fine tuning) but I will not punish myself if I slip. I will acknowledge it and move on. Friends and family feel free to hold me accountable… slap that damn piece of bread from my hand! And then run fast my friends, very fast ; )

I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas and has a new year full of health, wealth and happiness. What are your goals for the New Year? Share ’em with me and let’s work on ourselves together! Here’s to a fantastic 2015!!