I am a consummate deal hunter.  Who doesn’t like trying new things AND getting a good deal? I found the personal trainer I used for 2 ½ years on Groupon.  The massage therapist I currently use I found via Specialious.  I was exposed to my favorite local restaurant via YipDeals.  My eight year old son is developing his love of music and is 6 months into learning to play the piano because of an on-line deal.  There is a plethora of things I have done as a direct benefit of on-line deals including: hotel rooms, facials, microdermabrasion, boxing, Pilates, children’s activities, movies and the list goes on.  While I would not look for a healthcare professional like a doctor, surgeon, dentist via this avenue, I feel this is a low-risk, inexpensive way to explore new things and benefit from discounts in the 50-75% range.

What do I have in my queue? Two acupuncture sessions which will be a first for me, four massages, one facial, one photo session and half-day at spa world awaiting me.  The retail for these items is over $1,000 and I spent $309.  Over the next 6 months, I will enjoy being pampered GUILT FREE and I might just find my new favorite place.  You don’t have to splurge to enjoy life!

Check them out… you might just find YOUR next favorite thing. 

My favorites are: Groupon, Specialious, LivingSocial and YipDeals.

My last fitness goal of 2013 was my half marathon in October.  Since then I have not had a “tangible” goal that I’ve been working toward.  I've been healing from surgery, trying to stay relatively fit and still slip into my size 4 jeans.  I can honestly say I don’t like this space.  I don’t enjoy working out WITHOUT a purpose.  I don’t have the drive I have when I’m working toward something.  When I set my mind to do something, I am my own competition and this ignites the drive in me to do better and to push myself. I don’t want self image and the scale/clothing numbers to drive all of my gym activities.  Sure these things benefit from my workouts, but I don’t want them to drive my workouts. That is no FUN [for me]!

This time of the year is an excellent time to take inventory, reflect on what worked and what didn't work and make adjustments for the new year ahead. I can honestly say that 2013 was probably one of the best years of my life. I pushed myself and stepped outside my comfort-zone. I achieved things unimaginable like being able to inspire people by sharing my challenges, ups and downs. 

Today, is day #1 for me and I feel like it is the first day of the rest of my life not just new year! I started my competition program today and I will execute with precision. In 2014, I will continue to follow my passion to BE and DO better no matter how incremental. I will hold myself accountable to ME. I will do a “pulse checks” often to ENSURE I’m on track. These are my 2014 fitness commitments to MYSELF and no one else.

January – May – train and compete in two fitness competitions
What: weight lifting/cardio
Goal: body fat reduction, muscle development/definition/toning, higher placement than 2013

June - October – train for half marathon
What: cross train cardio (spin, elliptical, running), weight lifting
Goal: run 5k, 10k, 20k and end with half marathon. Beat last year’s times on all races.

October – December – try something new like Insanity or P90X

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHa6sITVebs

myBackground goals: 
Increase push and pull up numbers. Focus more on stretching/flexibility.
Complete monthly challenge calendars in the background of workout programs - push up challenge, burpee challenge, arm blaster, ab blaster, etc.

Now that I have a plan in hand with dates/times and goals, I just have to execute to the best of my ability.  It is like following a blueprint to a better me.

How can you get and stay goal focused?

1. Don’t talk about what you want to do, do it. 

2. Think about what you want to achieve making sure it is realistic and achievable.

3. Write it down. Start to visualize the outcome.

4. Sign up for it. Get it on your calendar. No turning back now!

5. Determine the goal of the outcome. Do you want to be faster, better, smarter, spiritual?

6. Be accountable to you. Your opinion is the only one that matters. Don't let yourself down.

7. Make it happen at all costs.

Last year, after my fitness competition I was in fantastic shape, but I was definitely burned out.  It was nice to ALREADY know what I would be working toward AFTER the show and that it was totally different than what I had been doing the preceding months. I was able to maintain my weight loss by swiftly transitioning from contest prep to  preparing for my races.  In fact, when Shape magazine contacted me, it was months after my competition and had I not had a plan in place, I probably would not have been photo worthy. They called and 5 days later I had my photo shoot leaving no time for quick fixes!

It is good to have a plan to execute.