Brand New Year

So January first is the start of many resolutions and lots of commitment from all sorts of people. The way I see it, moving into my apartment was really the start of a new year for me. I've got classes that start in a mere seven days for a major that I am hoping to fall completely in love with. I need to find a job to pay for millions of things. And I get to see all my school friends as they begin to trickle back into the city.

And, as every New Year's resolutioner (I know that's not a word. It's a concept maybe...) does, I've started my work out habits back up and it was lovely.

Today, I started the Bodyrock Thirty Day challenge with the fit test. Eight days late, but I wanted to be able to stay on schedule. There are two rest days involved in the challenge that are on the weekends. Because I'm difficult, I have my long runs on Saturdays. So my days off will either be Sunday and Monday or Friday and Sunday. We'll see how things go as I progress into school and stuff like that.

These HIIT workouts are short but super tough! I was very, very nervous about seeing my scores and being utterly disappointed in myself, but I don't know. They're there and they'll get better!

• Squat Jumps-->34
• Push Ups-->19 (Ugh. Freaking knees. My arms are pathetic.)
• Burpees-->14
• High Knees--> 43 (I counted the sets. If you're supposed to count each leg then double that.)
• Switch Lunges-->33
• Tuck Jumps-->26
• Straight Abs-->14 (I took these nice and slowly, as you can tell.)

I was most definitely shaking by the end of it. Also, I don't remember doing the tuck jumps AT ALL. But there's a number, and I know I couldn't have just made it up like that. Maybe I blocked it out? Who knows. The challenge scares me because I can tell it is going to be INTENSE. But it's a nice way to get back into stuff, that's for sure.

After that I did some resistance band ab work from FITNESS magazine. It's called Flat Abs Fast! so we'll see how they feel tomorrow. Kicking my butt abs back into shape, hopefully.

As far as the cool down and stretch session went, I was too hyped up to sit and focus, so I made myself follow along with a short video to chill myself out.

The ocean sounds at the end of it were great, not going to lie. I love the whole idea of Tone It Up but I'm broke, so I just pick and choose which videos I feel like doing. I'm super curious about their eating plan but for now I'm going to live in mystery. Definitely check them out, though! :)

So that's that! Now I'm going to hop in the shower and then meet up with a friend for lunch. Maybe for dinner we'll have something exciting. We'll see!

The Ever-Popular Resolution Post

So I'm a sucker for resolutions. I know a lot of people say that they don't last after January second, but mine actually do. I don't know. I like lists. Can you blame me? So. Naturally. I've crafted a new list for 2012. Categorized to make it easier to accomplish. Maybe. If that's the sort of thing you like.

Life as We Know It

• Get a Job-I have to make the money to pay for that rent. And all the other fun stuff my life contains. Which is hopefully a lot.
• Do Exciting Things-WOW. So general. But oh well. It may or may not be known that I am an adrenaline junkie. I would like to keep that up. At the very least take a vacation. I'm going to be in school all year, so a nice weekend would be excellent. If it is something full of energy, I'll love it even more.

I would like to suit up again, please.

•  Make Time-My lucky apartment mate and I will both be extremely busy during the semester/year/etc. It would be excellent to take a day away from the week at the very least to cook something or go somewhere or something like that. I mean. He's a pretty important person. I live with him for pete's sake. If I can't keep in touch with him, there's no hope for anybody!

Socially Speaking  

•  Stay Friendly-I love my friends more than anything. I know that's really lame, but it's just the way I am. After a semester in Italy I cannot imagine missing out on another four months with them. I want to keep in contact with letters (more than once a semester) and would also like to take advantage of coffee/lunch/dinner/snack/dance breaks to not lose touch with my friends.

Mail of the snail variety. Heading your way. :)

•  Explore Philadelphia-Eating. Playing. Watching. Biking. Dancing. All of it. I want to take advantage of the city I live in. Because I really do love it. I probably want to get a job first. Probably.
• InMotion Dance Ensemble-I love these girls. I want to spend time with them especially. Also, I want to put my heart and soul into the team to make it as amazing as possible. Because I know we have a group of the most amazing girls on the planet.

I know you've never seen this picture before. Sorry it isn't updated!

Keeping it Healthy

• Run A Race-I would be really, really proud of myself if I could stick to a training plan and race my heart out. I am planning on the Broad Street Run and a Spartan Race. It would be really cool if I could get it done. :)

Thanks, website.

• Eat Vegetarian at Least One Day a Week-I already eat pretty well. My general goal for the year would be to keep that up, but I think one cool thing I'd like to try is doing meatless Mondays, or something to that effect. I'm armed and ready, I just don't know if my apartment mate is going to be as happy with it.
• EXERCISE-I love endorphins with my whole life. Let's keep this one up. I love it. It is the best feeling in the whole wide world. And that's why I've changed my major. I want to throw myself into this.

I think that's enough for now. But I can't promise you there won't be more. :)

BRING IT ON 2012.