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Fitness Goals for 2017

Would it really be a new year if we didn’t discuss fitness goals?! It’s as cliche as it gets, but I figured I’d take this first week to discuss some of my personal goals. Now, I feel like I’m cheating here because technically I revamped my goals back in October. But I never discussed those here! (At least I don’t think I did….)

I’m prefacing this post by saying I’m generally unathletic. I’ve never been “unfit,” but I’m not someone who gets immense joy from working out. I feel satisfied after a good workout, and that’s the best I think it’s ever going to get me.

I grew up trying every sport for at least a little while (swim team, dance, ballet, softball, soccer, track, basketball, golf, you name it). The summer after my freshman year of high school, I did a two week “learn to row” camp and fell in love with rowing. I was barely 5’3″ (probably a solid 5’2″) at the time and maybe weighed 95 pounds soaking wet. For some reason, rowing was the first sport that I felt a real connection with. Because of my size, however, I was rarely boated. So I spent a lot of time training on land. Aka running. We did these “bridge” runs, and after weeks of not being able to complete one without stopping, I miraculously ran TWO of them in a row without stopping. I eventually switched to coxing, but I’ll never forget that euphoric feeling of being able to run for forty minutes without stopping for the first time.

college-prepster-working-outfit

Photos by Carter Fish

Even though I’m not athletic, I am very competitive, especially with myself. Working out is a slippery slope with me, and I have to be super cognizant of how I’m doing mentally. I can go overboard if I’m not careful. There’s a fine line, for me at least, where healthy can turn unhealthy.

That’s always my first fitness priority: keeping things healthy!

workout-outfit-inspiration

Wearing: Sports Bra // Yoga Pants (c/o) // Sneakers // Sunglasses

I got back into yoga this summer, and I think that’s always going to be my most enjoyable way to work out. I like to sign up for hard classes with the most intense instructors so I feel like I’m actually doing something, but sometimes I’ll mix in a restorative class if I’m feeling stressed or sore. I love that yoga focuses on breathing and uses your body weight to build strength and flexibility. I love walking out of class feeling an inch taller. (I also tend to store stress in my shoulders, and yoga always fixes that.)

A few months after I took yoga back up, I ended up switching gyms. I loved the instructors at the first gym, but the times were super inconvenient, and they didn’t offer enough classes The new gym has plenty of classes throughout the day, including the weekends. But the best part of the gym is that they offer classes beyond yoga.

When I first joined, I “shopped” around to find different ones that I might also like. I ended up signing up for an intro to weightlifting class and loved it. It’s a small group of women, and it meets three times a week with a great trainer. It feels like personal training, but it’s part of the monthly membership fee. I try to make all three classes; Monday’s legs, Wednesday’s upper body, and Friday’s full body. The hour goes by so fast because we all chit-chat, but man it’s the hardest workout!!! I’m sore literally all day every day.

My goal for this year is to make it to (at least) three classes a week total. It can be a mix, but I want to have three scheduled on my calendar. I know it’s not that “inspirational,” but it’s something that I know is doable for me and will make sure I’m staying on top of my fitness life! More would be ideal, but three will hold me accountable. So that’s it!

Did you set fitness goals for the year too?

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49 Comments

Lauren

Great goal! I am ALL about a fun class where the hour passes by quickly…working out SHOULD be fun! My personal fitness goal is to get back into running (which I used to love!) and to run another half marathon! Good luck!
xo Lauren
http://www.loveandlauren.com

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Madeeha

I love these goals! My fitness goal for this year is to be a consistent gym goer. I always start off strong and then slack off after a few months.
Have you tried barre classes or core yoga? They’re SO fun and you feel amazing afterwards. It’s all a mix of ballet, yoga, Pilates and, weights.

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Tori

Totally agree with the Barre comment!! I love the Barre class I go to because I can definitely feel my body working, but I leave feeling like a strong and beautiful ballerina, haha! The only thing I would add is that there are a couple of types of Barre class and each instructor does the moves a little differently, so if you can definitely shop around to see which one you like the best!

Tori

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Julia

When it comes to barre classes, I love the Dailey Method. Not only do I come away feeling strong and healthy, but I appreciate the language they use compared to other exercise classes. Instead of talking about “flat stomach” or a “bikini-ready body,” they cue “breathing your ribs back,” “maintaining a neutral spine,” etc. Although I was skeptical about barre classes at first, the Dailey Method has strengthened my body and (perhaps more importantly) strengthened my body image.

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Anonymous

My goal is to stretch every day – whether by doing yoga or just general stretching. It is so important, especially as we get older. It also helps with hunching over the computer all day.

I agree with you on taking classes. It makes working out so much more fun and you go harder for longer. I love my weekend Zumba classes. I also go to a weight lifting class during the week. Like you said, the hour just flies by.

I also want to point out that you don’t have to go to the gym to exercise – walking is exercise. I try to go for a 45 minute walk during lunch every day, which is beneficial not only physically but mentally too. Also, if I can’t or don’t want to make it to the gym that evening, then I don’t feel guilty because I know that I got in at least 45 minutes of exercise that day.

I also own free weights so on days I don’t feel motivated to go to the gym, I can still lift weights while watching t.v.

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Taylor

Fitness is definitely a priority for me this year. I have always been fairly consistent in my gym attendance but this year I want to make it a regular part of my routine and prioritize being healthy outside of the gym as well!
Taylor | http://www.livingtaylored.com

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Kelsey

I love that you made fitness goals I think it’s such a great idea to be so specific about your goals. I also have some fitness goals, I am signed up for an aerial yoga class and I am so excited!
Kelsey | petiteinherpearls.blogspot.com

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Bridget Sciscento

Hi Carly!

I think that you’re main goal of keeping it healthy is so important to point out to your readers of every age. I have never been particularly athletic, but, like you, I am very competitive, including with fitness. In the past, I have struggled to find a balance between healthy and competition; so, I think it’s encouraging you’re able to share that kind of advice with your readers!

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Elle

You should check out Pure Barre! I do it a couple of times a week and love it. It’s not really cardio but boy it gets your heart pumping! You use weights (which is great) and do lots of tough exercises! Think you will love it since you’re a fan of Yoga.
xo elle // https://splashofpreppy.com

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Allie

I second this! Pure Barre in Darien is my favorite. Exhale in Stamford also has some decent barre classes, but Pure Barre is more challenging/feels like a better workout. Definitely recommend!

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Taylor

I completely relate to not finding joy in working out. It always makes me feel good, but boy do I hate it when I’m doing it. I think the trick for me, similar to you, will be finding what’s fun for me and what doesn’t feel like an intense workout – while still putting in work. I will always regret not making more use of the fitness classes offered at my university, but I think this semester (my last) I’m going to try really hard to make it to 3 of their workout classes a week, as well!

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Angela

I need to start looking to join group fitness classes. I am part of a gym but they don’t offer any classes. I have a hard time motivating myself to go to the gym, but I think if I join a group class it will make me go!

Angela

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Katie

I love, love, love weightlifting. I took up CrossFit a couple years ago, and I’m totally hooked. I know I’ll probably get accused of “drinking the Kool-aid” or whatever, but I went from not being able to walk up two flights of stairs without getting winded to being a legit athlete, and I’ve made such great friends! That feeling of “holy crap I never thought I’d be able to do THAT” is pretty tough to beat, especially for an overly competitive person like me. There’s a perception that it’s super intense, but at most places it’s just normal people looking for a great workout.

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Olivia

I travel often for my job, so I am also a ‘shopper’ of workout classes and like to try a variety (boxing, yoga, cycling, HIIT, barre). Classpass is great for this, I recommend everyone check it out!

I am also trying to become a regular gym-goer and get in the mindset that it is the quality of the workout and not the time spent at the gym that really counts. So, I bought Kayla Itsines’s BBG program of 28-minute workouts and am going to try to keep up with her 12-week Challenge starting Jan. 9th!

Finally, don’t forget fun fitness: tennis, walks with friends/family/pets, hikes. I always have a better chance of working out if someone joins! Carly, maybe get Garrett to go to yoga with you sometime…my dad loves going with me!

Cheers,
Olivia

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Lily R.

BBG works! I love it and I’m doing BBG 2.0 right now. You’ll be amazed with the results. I combine it with HIIT workouts from the Body Coach TV. That’s an awesome goal!

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Sophia B.

I love this post – Carly! This year my goal is to try one new fitness class and a non-fitness class each month. I can’t say I’ve really tried yoga before but is actually on my list for this month’s activity. I definitely want to start lifting weights and would love to hear your experience with your new routine.

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Haley

Your weightlifting class sounds a lot like ‘bodypump’ that my gym offers. It’s an hour of full-body lifting (and some great jams) and it tones everything! I combine that 2 days a week with cycling 2 days a week and it’s been keeping me wonderfully in shape 🙂

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Mel

Love it Carly!! Great manageable goal. Would you ever consider training for a 5 or 10k? After I stuck with a routine of a few classes a week, I was itching for something new and eventually built up to long distance running. Would love updates about your classes!

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Lily R.

Great question! I started my fitness goal last year. I aimed to get abs by the end of 2016. It made my core stronger even though I haven’t reached a 6-pack yet. 🙂 I pushed myself to do workouts consistently in the last 6 months. And the change was incredible. Recently I have been on and off the program I’ve been doing but I always jump back in no matter how many days (or weeks) I’ve fallen off track.

Setting a goal to have abs for me sounded superficial. But not only did it mentally made me stronger, it changed my eating habits. Now I do a weekly meal prep and I absolutely love it. Great post! Have fun with your workouts. You got this!

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Krystal // The Krystal Diaries

I want to get back into spin classes this year. I was on a good roll for about two years straight then I kind of fell off track towards the end of last summer and it’s been hard to get into a routine again.

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Liv

First of all–WOW! You look absolutely fantastic and fit currently!

I really enjoyed this post. 3 workouts a week is very manageable and weightlifting is great for women! Also, I know you mentioned in recent posts about how 2016 was a rough year for you. It’s so inspiring to see how positive you continue to be, even though it’s probably not always easy when you’re in the public eye, and have put forth such positive goals for 2017. You’ve got great friends, a wonderful family, a successful business, and you’re beautiful inside and out. As a reader who also had a rough go at 2016, it’s been inspiring to watch you push through negativity so well. 2017 will be your year!

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Fiona

Love your comment on healthy/unhealthy. I can get very anxious if I don’t workout every day, even though I know rest days are just as important as working out.
Thanks for your honest post.
Fiona x

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Kathleen

You look so great Carly, props to you for getting a head start on fitness! I’m in college and have a tough major so I definitely put fitness on the back burner (ie I think my only exercise this past semester was walking to class) but am really trying to prioritize it more this year!

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carly

COMPLETELY forgot to mention tennis! (Just realized I forgot to include it in my 2016 favorites as well!) still doing them! Probably will cut back in the winter and then do more in the spring as it warms up. Trying to find a group to play with at my gym though since they have indoor courts!

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Jen Kessler

My goal should be to make a fitness goal. haha! In Seattle we have this program called Class Pass and you essentially have a membership to all the different fitness gyms and you can go as many times per month but just 3x at one specific location. I haven’t tried it but I want to since I don’t know if I’m a yoga person or pilates or whatever 🙂

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Shannon McLaughlin

Love this post! I started doing Orange Theory Fitness classes in October. It’s 60 minutes of HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) and because I’m sore on a daily basis I know I’m probably using muscles that I’ve never used before.

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Kimberrleigh

I’ve broken down my ‘I want to lose weight goal’ into monthly goals. I hope and I think this will make it less daunting… but you never know. And I have the biggest sweet tooth, so trying to cut out/down on sugar is a big one!

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Chloe Logan

This is so similar to my goal last year! I don’t set resolutions per se, but someone started a January goal board at work and I wrote attend 2 classes/week. Well that turned into 3, and now I’m doing 6-7 classes/week! It’s all about the habit forming. Keep it up, and that weights class sounds awesome!

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Alyssa

Not to get uber personal, but how do you find sportsbras with good support and that are cute? I have a small ribcage and large bust (28DDD or so) and I really struggle to find sportsbras that are effective and cute… Suggestions? (I really like the Nike one you posted above but wonder if it would be supportive enough for running, yoga, and riding (horses).

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carly

I’m a solid size medium in sports bras. A small is WAY too small and I end up with crazy cleavage and a large (although would fit my breasts better) is too loose around my chest.

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Paige Jett

Hi Carly!
I loved this post and it really got me motivated to try more classes at my gym at school. I was just wondering, do you usually go with friends to classes or alone? Its hard as a student to find classes that both yourself and friends can make it to, so I’m finding that I will have to go alone the majority of the time. How do you motivate yourself to go when you don’t have a partner to go with and motivate you to hold yourself accountable?
Thanks 🙂

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Fabi I

These are great fitness goals! My goal is it to run much more than last year.
For me running is freedom and I should definitely run more often 😉
Your goals motivated me to stay focused and to keep up my regular morning run!
Best regards,
Fabi

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