My birthday snuck up on me this year. Looking back, I don’t think I could have grown more as a person in one year. On my birthday last year I had a 1 month old, was nervous about my transition back to work postpartum, and my body was still in active recovery from labor and delivery. Today I am confident in my role as working mom, am more in love with my husband than ever, and have learned to respect my body and its capabilities. It truly took me a full year to redefine myself and to reach a place of balance and peace, and I am happy!
Looking back, I rushed back to work postpartum, put way too much pressure on myself to lose weight those first 4 months (heck, even year), and yet, I learned a ton from my experience. If/and when we have another baby, I’ll try to do it differently. I think it’s hard not to be in a fog postpartum. It’s hard learning your new role, while still maintaining roles you’ve played for years.
Regardless, I’m so thankful for these past 12 months and wouldn’t have changed a thing about them. They helped me to grow as a woman and I am grateful.
Looking Back On My 30th Year
October – Returned to work part-time postpartum
November – Ran my first 5K postpartum and my first 5 miler postpartum
December – Spent Christmas in Texas
January – Returned to work full-time postpartum
February – Supported my sister as she launched Florence and June
March – Hit 6 months postpartum
April – Took Magnolia to her first Nationals game and stopped dieting!!
May – Went on a road trip to Asheville and Atlanta
June – Saw Bette Midler in concert
July – Traveled to St. Paul, vacationed in Florida, and played a lot of football
August – Gave up coffee and won the National Championship!
September – Closed out my Scaleless Summer and reached my pre-pregnancy weight
Last year I set 6 goals for myself. I intentionally created goals that were broad. Aside from 1 goal, all were ones that left room to be defined as the year went on. The balance I’ve found for my life has looked different at various milestones this past year and it seems to get better each month.
Neal and I also worked really hard this year to save money, while still allowing room for pampering and self care. My weight loss goals were reached this year, but I couldn’t have reached them in a healthier way. I’m so thankful for reaching them through intuitive eating and to have broken away from calorie/macro/point counting. We also went on an amazing vacation to Florida this summer, which was refreshing for our entire family. The only goal I did not achieve was to become a certified spin instructor. It’s still something I’d like to do, but it’s not something I can add to my plate at this point in my life, and I’m ok with that.
As I hit 31 today, I have set a few specific goals for the year ahead. Overall, I want to maintain a balanced life, but I do have specific things I’d like to achieve. Here are my goals for thirty one.
1. Hone in on my decorating style and work to make our house a home
2. Organize each room of our home, reducing our clutter
3. Create and follow a monthly chore chart
4. Throw out my makeup, buy new makeup staples, and make a effort to wear more makeup
5. Read a book a month, sharing what I’ve read and learned here on Coffee Cake and Cardio
6. Begin saving for our 5 year anniversary vacation/trip
7. Spend more time traveling and sightseeing in Maryland
8. Reduce the amount of time I’m on my phone surfing Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
I’m really looking forward to what this next year holds. So much has changed since last year and I’m sure this next year will bring plenty of change with it as well. Here’s to 31!!
