Manning Up for 2011

New year's resolutions. Whether you make them, don't believe in them or live by them...they're hard to avoid during the beginning of the year. I've been seeing resolutions all over facebook via friends' status updates and all over TV--have you noticed those commercials are aired more often during December and January?

Anyways, I'm proud to announce that for the first time in over a decade, my new year's resolutions do NOT include anything along the lines of "losing weight" or "hitting the gym more often". We all know it's a trend to sign up for a gym membership in January and by March, people hardly remember they have a membership. Losing weight is no longer a goal in my life because staying active, being fit and getting stronger are already a part of my lifestyle. And I don't think I'll be dropping these habits anytime soon.

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But it's always important (and fun) to set up a few goals for the year. After all, making lists of things to do is also a big habit of mine. As a crossfitter, I love the rush of knowing that I'm getting better/stronger/faster at doing something. So I'm finally sitting down and making a list of things I need to improve (which is practically EVERYTHING).

I need to get faster at:

-running (my old-lady knees can't hack more than 200m at a time before feeling stiff...pitiful, I know)

-squats

-burpees (I really do enjoy doing burpees but I'll admit that they start looking like "slurpees" after 15)

-Knees-to-elbows & toes-to-bar (my rhythm sucks)

-rowing

-box jump

Things I need to just man-up and learn how to do:

-kipping pull-ups

-ring dips

-HSPU

-rope climbs

(notice how they all include lots of upper-body strength?)

Lifts I need to go heavier on:

(Well, I need to go heavier on all of the lifts but these are the main ones)

-Backsquat

-Deadlift

-Shoulder press

-Front squat

Lifts I need to master:

-Clean

-Snatch

Any movement that involves fully extended hips, really. I can't seem to do that!! UGH!

-Overhead squat

Wow, that's a lot. Well from a "half glass empty" perspective, I have a lot to work on. From a "half glass full" perspective, I have lots of room to improve. And I loooove progress!

Here's to a happy, healthy and stronger 2011!