Out with the Old, In with the New ~ Writing, Fitness & a recap of Nov/Dec

Posted January 2, 2018 by Berls in Out with the Old, In with the New / 4 Comments

Recapping 2017 and looking ahead to 2018

Feel free to join us!

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out with the OLD: 2017

In 2017 my writing took a HUGE dive. I even tried to NaNoWriMo and didn’t make it more than 1 day! I have a book that’s finished and needs major editing, another one awaiting an ending, and then another series with the initial short published, a cover purchased (if Michelle would EVER send me the invoice lol) and a 3 more books to write, fully planned out. Being a writer is my life long dream and this year and I really dropped the ball on it. Yes, I’ve had a lot going on, but one thing is painfully clear to me – teaching is not going to cut it for the rest of my life. I love what I do, don’t get me wrong. But the pay blows and income growth potential blows even more! (I’m making less take home now than I was when I started, thanks to rising healthcare costs… how’s that for negative income growth?!) So I need to nurture my other passions that have equally poor pay out potential lol!

On the flip side, my fitness is soaring by the end of 2017! I started in a really rough place, but after doing Gastric Bypass this summer, the weight is finally coming off and I’m pushing myself to new fitness goals all the time. It’s the little things, like being able to do full-fledged jumping jacks and spinning to 130rpm that are keeping me really motivated. I was told by my doctor that I need to pull back on the strength training for a bit though, so that the weight can come off more – stick to resistance, not pumping basically. I’ve also been working on building my running endurance through C25k (which I do weekly, so it’s way more spread out). This year I lost over 100 pounds and I hope to keep that going!

in with the NEW: 2018

For writing, I need to be realistic. I don’t have time to write like I’d like to. And I don’t want to set myself up for failure by saying I’ll write and then not. So I’m going to give myself a journal, where I can keep track of ideas, bits of dialogue, plot twists, etc. These are all things that come to me, but because I’m not writing, I do nothing with and then forget. Then this summer, when I’m not working (and hopefully will not be so destitute that I need to work!) I will make a writing schedule and get to work. I also think I’m more of a short story writer than a long novel writer. Short stories that work together, yes. So maybe I’ll be publishing some serials in 2019? Maybe?

For Fitness, I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing, closely monitoring in case I need to adjust. I have a goal of running a 30 minute 5K before the end of the year. The fastest I’ve ever done is 50 minutes, I think. 30 minutes is not an amazing time, but it’s average and I’d love to reach average. Someday I want to reach marathon, triathlon status, but one step at a time. I’d also really like to get to my goal weight by August 8th. That would be 1 year since surgery and a total of 242 pounds. I realize that’s a lot for 1 year and statistically people who have gastric bypass don’t reach their goal weight, they get to 80% of it. So if I don’t get there, I won’t throw a fit or anything. But why not go for it, right? Based on my current rate of 15 -20 pounds per month it is possible. I refuse to accept 80% (193 lbs)… even if it takes more than a year, I did not do this surgery to get to 80%. I will get to my goal weight, even if it takes another year to lose that last 20%(48.4 lbs).

Posts in November & December

Books Michelle & I reviewed in November & December

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What are some personal goals you have for 2018?

Thanks for stopping by to Check out my recap of 2017 and what’s to come in 2018

Have a great day and Happy Reading!

 

 

About Berls

Michelle adopted me as part of her blog when I decided to close down my blog, Fantasy is More Fun. The blog was dying, but my love of reading and the blogosphere was still strong as ever - so I found my new home here at Because Reading!

I'm not just a book lover, but a one time author (that hopes to be more in the future), wife, mom to the cutest, happiest, best 2 year old and step-mom to the craziest, sweetest 22 year old on the planet. My family mean everything to me and they appear frequently in the Sunday Post with Berls. So grab a glass of wine and chat books, blogging, and family with me!

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4 responses to “Out with the Old, In with the New ~ Writing, Fitness & a recap of Nov/Dec”

  1. Charlie

    I came to the same conclusion last year and tried leaving education. Teaching is killing me. I want a job with set hours and work that ends when I walk out the door. I am so inspired by your writing goals you’ve already achieved. I also want to be an author and struggling with having time to write and organize a thought board. I’ve always envisioned those boards you see in true crime shows where the detectives have all kinds of things mapped out on a cork board. I’m a paper person and very visual…so The Man needs to make some office space. 🙂 I am going to be supporting both of your big goals this year!

    Charlie recently posted: Top Ten Tuesday: New Authors in 2017
    • Berls

      Thanks Charlie! I know you’ve been teaching longer than me (and you do sped right?) so I can understand what you mean about it killing you. I love it, really I do, but it takes a toll! Good luck with your writing – I know just what you mean about a thought board. Tell the man to make some space!! I hope 2018 helps you make progress with your goals!