Monthly Goals : December

Hi strangers!  It feels like it's been such a long time since my last post, so we have a lot of catching up to do!  Thanksgiving weekend was so great and relaxing, and I completely unplugged.  No wifi, no laptop, no cell phones, no iPads.  It was great!  My entire weekend can be summed up in one picture :

Aren't they the cutest!?

Now that it's December, I want to check in with my monthly goals.  It's going to be a busy month, so I'm going to give myself a break with goals.  Just wait until you see what I have planned for January!

- No phone in bed.  Yes! This was a huge victory for me this month.  I always made sure to leave my phone across the room from me each night, and I found myself sleeping better and waking up easier in the morning.  If you haven't tried this trick, I highly recommend it!

- Cross train 2x a week.  Yes.  I was really active this month and got in lots of cross training- Zumba, swimming, hiking, rock climbing, and yoga.  I loved the variety!

- 100 miles.  No! Unfortunately I hurt my back last week and missed the Turkey Trot and took a break from running as well.  I ended with 94 miles, but I'm fine with that!

- No shopping (except Cyber Monday).  Yes!  Technically I went online shopping on Saturday, but it counts for me.  I bought a new GPS watch (review coming as soon as I get it and test it out!) as well as the Toasty Tech Tights from Lululemon (sadly out of stock now).  With marathon training coming up, I wanted to invest in a good pair of warm tights so I would be motivated to run outside.  Let's hope that overpriced cute tights will do the trick!

- Spend 10 minutes every day decluttering.  Yes!  I've actually enjoyed keeping my apartment clean and spending time each day cleaning, washing the dishes, dusting, and generally keeping everything looking great.

- Sew something!  No.  I'm still going through lessons in my e-course, so I decided not to buy any fabric yet (plus, I'm trying to save money!).  This will be a goal in 2016.


This month I also made progress on my 30x30 list and got certified in belaying!  I also went hiking on part of the Appalachian Trail, but it was only a 5 mile hike so I'm not going to count it!

See you all tomorrow!

How was your November?
Are you making any goals for December?

Comments

  1. Heather [is probably running]December 1, 2015 at 4:56 AM

    Sounds like you had a great November! I hope your back is feeling better soon; missing races is never a good feeling.

    I tried on those Toasty Tech tights this weekend and decided not to buy them. Might be kind of kicking myself for that decision. I loved how warm they felt, but the zipper pocket on the leg really bothered me. I felt like since the zipper didn't stretch I could feel that part of the tight pressing into my leg a little. Or maybe it was just the thick seam that was right there. I really wanted to love them, but I was afraid that it would bother me while I was running. Of course now I'll be bothered when my legs are freezing during my runs...so yeah. Maybe should have gotten a pair.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunDecember 1, 2015 at 6:56 AM

      Thanks Heather! It's so much better now. I think when I went for a run after it was feeling a bit better it damaged it further which is why I decided to sit out the race. The race wasn't really important for me and I'd be mad if I didn't get to start marathon training in January because I wanted to run a pointless race!
      I think it's smart you didn't buy the tights if you weren't 100% in love. They're too expensive to just feel eh about them! My thighs are small compared to my waist, so luckily the zipper and seams don't cut into me at all! I'll have to see how these feel on a run before I decide if I want to keep them :) I'm sure you can find better pants out there for cheaper!

      Delete
  2. LesleyDecember 1, 2015 at 5:53 AM

    Yup, your picture can sum up my long weekend too. Just put me on the couch with the cat on me. I did do a little shopping Friday to get some decorations, and then I ordered a gift yesterday for Cyber Monday. That was it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. margaret @ youngandrungryDecember 1, 2015 at 5:58 AM

    You go, Gretchen! Those are all huge wins. 94 miles is pretty much 100 so I'd count that one too. You've had such a great month and I love how you are so organized with keeping up with goals. Which GPS watch did you get? I got a pair of Lululemon tights for my birthday, but I think I might exchange them because they are very thin. I'm mad they're out of the toastys! I think you've inspired me to make December goals... maybe I want to take an ecourse..

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    1. Gretchen BraunDecember 1, 2015 at 6:58 AM

      Thanks Margaret! I got the Garmin Vivofit (I think that's what it's called). I really wanted a multi sport watch and this one was a great price and has a built in pedometer! I can't wait to try it out! Most of the other pants I tried from Lulu were thin so I don't blame you for returning them! If you take an ecourse let me know which one you pick!

      Delete
  4. Jessie MDecember 1, 2015 at 6:07 AM

    Honestly, I should take a page out of your book on the no phone in bed business. I wasted probably 20 minutes scrolling through my instagram feed when I could have been sleeping.

    I snatched your goal post idea & have posted one of my own over at my new blog. Hope you'll take a peek!

    Jessie || TheAcquiredSass.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunDecember 1, 2015 at 7:00 AM

      You should try it out! You can start with just doing it during the work week. Sometimes I find myself really wanting to look something up, but now that feeling is gone. I'll definitely check out your goals!!

      Delete
  5. julie WunderDecember 1, 2015 at 6:44 AM

    That phone out of the bed thing has helped me so much. I seem to have no control when it's in reach.
    Glad you had a good month. My goals are to stay CALM in all the holiday hoop-la!!!!

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    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunDecember 1, 2015 at 7:00 AM

      That's a great goal to have!! Hope it works for you!

      Delete
  6. UnknownDecember 1, 2015 at 7:10 AM

    Oh I just love your monthly goal lists. They're so inspiring! I can't even believe it's December 1st today. WOW. Ohhh boy. Panic mode.

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    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunDecember 1, 2015 at 7:24 AM

      Thanks Suzy! I hope your December isn't too stressful!

      Delete
  7. UnknownDecember 1, 2015 at 7:51 AM

    Sounds like you had a relaxing Thanksgiving! Congrats on meeting a lot of your goals for November. I really love that you do this every month and I applaud you for your commitment! I would love to start decluttering daily!

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    1. Gretchen BraunDecember 1, 2015 at 10:09 AM

      It was the best! Decluttering is actually fun whenever you get in the habit. It's hard to get started, but so rewarding!

      Delete
  8. RachaelDecember 1, 2015 at 8:40 AM

    good job on the no phone is bed that one is a tough one for me. that needs to be my december goal though. those puppies look like great cuddle buddies!

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    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunDecember 1, 2015 at 10:10 AM

      It was hard at first, but I'm so used to it now and I sleep much better!

      Delete
  9. Susie @ SuzlyfeDecember 1, 2015 at 10:57 AM

    I'm pretty good about no phone in bed--my charger isn't there, and I usually fall asleep on the couch first and then transfer there! No phone on the couch, though... #aintgonnahappen

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    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunDecember 1, 2015 at 11:24 AM

      That's an interesting solution! The couch is Dan's territory though!

      Delete
  10. Laura NorrisDecember 1, 2015 at 11:09 AM

    Your Thanksgiving sounds perfect! The holidays spent relaxing and unplugging are the best holidays. I love how you check in with your goals, and great job on your November goals! I really should commit to no phone in bed - it's such a bad habit of mine!

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    1. Gretchen BraunDecember 1, 2015 at 11:25 AM

      We also went hiking on Black Friday! I thought you would appreciate that :)

      Delete
  11. UnknownDecember 1, 2015 at 11:55 AM

    It might be agood thing that sewing got pushed back because it's a great thing to do when the weather is bad outside. I need to break out my sewing machine soon to fix a few things. Happy December!

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    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunDecember 2, 2015 at 8:01 AM

      That's a great point! It's been so nice out lately.

      Delete
  12. Lisa @ Lisa the VegetarianDecember 1, 2015 at 12:57 PM

    Love the 10 minutes a day of decluttering. That's right up my alley! I've been on an organizing/decluttering kick this whole fall and still going strong.

    ReplyDelete
  13. RachelDecember 1, 2015 at 12:58 PM

    That's amazing that you got to unplug for the entire thanksgiving break! Kudos to you!!

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    1. Gretchen BraunDecember 2, 2015 at 8:01 AM

      It was definitely nice to not worry about social media or Internet!!

      Delete
  14. Gina DailyDecember 1, 2015 at 2:10 PM

    I love reading your goals, Gretchen! It's so motivating, even if mine are different! I also love the idea of unplugging sometimes. I tried to do that a couple of days over Thanksgiving and it was refreshing and a much needed balance! Hope you can stay on top of your busy December and can't wait to read your January goals!

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    1. Gretchen BraunDecember 2, 2015 at 8:01 AM

      Thanks Gina! Great job to you too on your goals :)

      Delete
  15. UnknownDecember 1, 2015 at 5:16 PM

    Wow, looks like a great month for you! And major props to you not shopping much either!

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  16. Amanda @ Exploring Life & ThingsDecember 1, 2015 at 6:45 PM

    I love the 10 minutes of decluttering each day! Such a good idea.. I'm seriously going to start doing this!

    ReplyDelete
  17. CaileeDecember 2, 2015 at 5:32 AM

    I love making goals at the beginning of the month! I just did this for December as well. I make some goals and then evaluate how they went at the end of the month :) I love the one about decluttering a bit each day... and oh my word! 100 miles!! What a great goal! I used to track my steps with Fitbit! :) Such a fun way to stay motivated!

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    1. Gretchen BraunDecember 2, 2015 at 8:03 AM

      I love making goals each month instead of one big goal for the year. Much easier to keep track!

      Delete
  18. Jess @hellotofitDecember 5, 2015 at 5:57 PM

    Awww I want to snuggle with the pups!!
    And I NEED to put my phone in a different part of the room. I have noticed that on nights where I don't fall asleep looking through IG, I sleep way better :P XOXO

    ReplyDelete

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