I love the approach of having a theme for the new year rather than a long list of resolutions that you’re unlikely to keep. A theme gives you a framework for the year without being too restrictive, a beacon to guide you while allowing some freedom along the way.
For me, last year was the year of follow-through; the year before, a year of bold decisions. This year, 2015, I’ve decided will be the year of being ACTIVE. Now as several people have already pointed out, I haven’t exactly been inactive these past few years; so I suppose what I mean is being PHYSICALLY active.
I used to win the 100m races in primary school, I was an awesome GA in netball, and I even won the sports award in sixth form. Already at secondary school I got a bit lazy, playing some netball, hockey and tennis but half-heartedly; when I changed to an American school I found that I couldn’t do any of the sports (basketball, baseball…) and instead became a cheerleader (yes, I know). At university I did one year of rowing, which is probably when I was at my fittest; we used to go to Burger King for a huge meal after each race and still I was slimmer than I’ve ever been. Since then, I’ve done a few 10k races and half-marathons, gone skiing a few times a year when I lived in Geneva, taken tennis lessons, done a bit of yoga, trained at the gym – but all very sporadically.
I’m going to blame at least part of this on my wonderfully cultured upbringing. My family doesn’t exactly have a habit of exercising together, preferring instead more sedentary activities: we would go to museums, to the opera and the ballet, rather than on hiking expeditions or cycling weekends; build motorised lego trucks and train tracks rather than play football in the garden. As an adult, I’ve continued these more intellectual-but-fattening pursuits by spending most of my time reading, writing, taking courses, going to the theatre…
So 2015 will be the year of being active: walking, running, training, dancing, and generally moving about! The aim is to lose weight and get fit, feel great and have more energy, try new things and meet new people. I’m hoping that by the end of the year I will have established new and lasting habits, reprogramming my mind and body so that I’ll continue with a more consistently active lifestyle over the coming years. Bring. It. On.
To make sure I live up to my theme throughout the year, I’m planning at least one new activity every month. So far, I have a few things already booked in:
January – Personal trainer programme and starting to run again
February – Ski trip to Verbier with my friend Serena
March – Arctic Adventure in Kiruna, Sweden with Secret Adventures
April – Women’s Health Half-marathon in Stockholm? (25th April)
May – ?
June – ?
July – ?
August – ?
September – Stockholm Half-marathon? (12th September)
October – Muddy 5k (10k?) race with my sister in Norwich (25th October)
November – ?
December – ?
As you can see, I still have at least six more months to fill. Looking back at my bucket list, I have plenty of activities to choose from:
#20 Go on a yoga retreat in India
#26 Dance salsa in Cuba
#30 Cycle across Gotland in Sweden (I also want to go kayaking in the Stockholm archipelago)
#34 Climb Kilimanjaro
#35 Go hiking in Switzerland
#56 Climb to the top of a climbing wall
#57 Run a marathon (eek! Maybe next year…?)
#60 Get my sailing licence
#66 Learn to ice skate
#67 Go snowshoeing (planned for Verbier in February!)
#78 Learn to salsa (important for #26)
#79 Do a diving intro course
#80 Learn to dive (as in, off the edge of a pool)
#89 Do yoga daily (what a silly thing to put on your bucket list! when is this ever going to be completed??)
Other ideas? Want to join me? Want to share your theme for 2015? Get in touch in the comments section below!
6 Responses
Like your theme of being active…I decided to have a similar theme last year (post baby). I got a personal trainer and started boxing. Brilliant exercise and I actually enjoy it …so much so I’m still doing it a year later. Good luck with your resolutions! Helen
Thanks Helen! I’ve had one PT session so far and it included boxing, I love it! To me, “being active” feels like an important and helpful goal without being another one of those “get fit” / “work out more” / “lose weight” resolutions…
Great to hear from you and I wish you a wonderful 2015 with your little family 🙂
There is also Midnattsloppet (10km) in Stockholm in August which is tons of fun and highly recommended. Biking in Gotland is fantastic and highly recommended! Did it for 10 days a few years ago. Happy to share tips if it becomes relevant. Good luck!
Yes I’ve run Midnattsloppet a few times, and Tjejmilen originally. Just signed up to the Women’s Health half this afternoon! And would love to get your tips, thanks. Will let you know once organised 🙂
If you put kayaking in Washington state on there, I will be more than happy to join you! Great blogg!
Join me for the Sjöhistoriska triathlon May/June!