December 2017 Goals + November Goal Recap

Hi Friends - I am back from 10 days in China, but I am far from feeling back to normal. Jet lag hit me hard on the way back home, and I feel like I need a few more days of hard sleep before I feel even remotely like myself again. I think all things considered, for being away 33% of November, I didn't do too shabby.

One circuit style workout per week | A+, on average
You can bet your sweet ass I didn't do a single burpee, squat, push-up or anything while in China. We walked quite a bit each day, and by the end of the day I was beat. I had no illusions that I would do a circuit workout in China. But, I was cranking out 2 a week before I left, so this one is good as gold.


Have a blast in China | I did, but...

I'll be posting more about my China trip, it's kind of an odd thing. I had fun, for sure, but I would also say it was my least favorite 'big trip' so far. I get it, I can't be in love with everywhere, some places just don't speak to us like they do to others. But it's weird, as people ask me to tell them all about the trip, I struggle to talk about all that we did, 'cause I just didn't love it, like other trips. Nothing against China, but probably a one and done for me. How's that for a bummer of a paragraph?

Book Belize | Just need to pack a bag!
We found a package that has us spending 3 nights in the jungle, and 4 nights on the beach. We'll tour Mayan Ruins and snorkel, all in one trip. I am so excited. This will definitely be different than any trip I've taken in the last 10 years. We say we aren't beach people, but I really think that we're not sitting around people, which is what the prevailing activity seems to be on the beach. While I'm sure we'll relax more than usual, we definitely won't be bumming around for 4 days.

Finish making books | Whoaaa we're halfway there...
I surprised Mr. Sass by making a book of our honeymoon, I think it turned out great. It still took a lot of time, but done is better than perfect. Now I need to make one from our wedding. Mr. Sass in turn surprised me, and printed out a panorama from Switzerland and then made a frame from some old reclaimed wood, and even hung it up on our struggling gallery wall while I was away. That man is top notch, and handy to boot. :)

Decide on a holiday tradition | Gonna test a few out
Honestly, I feel like I put a lot of thought into this, and came up blank. Some of the things that appeal to me just don't seem big enough to count. Could drinking hot chocolate while we drive around to look at Christmas lights really be our holiday tradition? Seems like it's missing a certain amount of uniqueness.
- I can't think of a single holiday movie that I feel like I need to watch every year. Or one that I think Mr. Sass would happily watch.
- I don't want us to bake holiday cookies together because #TooManyCooksInTheKitchen // #HeEatsEVERYTHING
- We don't do gifts, so there's not really anything to open.

So what's on tap for December...

I can't be the only one that has holiday parties, and requests to hang out popping up everywhere I turn. Truly, I love that the holiday season brings people together, and makes everyone want to spend time with friends and family, but why not all year long. We seem to stress ourselves out cramming everything into this one month of the year, when we should focus on seeing those we care about all year long. #EndRant

One circuit style workout per week | I want to keep my momentum going - especially through this crazy month of the year. This constant darkness makes it so easy to press the snooze button in the morning and get to the gym late, but these 7-14 minute circuits that I've been doing make it so easy to still get my sweat on in a hurry.

Enjoy my people | Say yes to the last minute happy hour (assuming I actually want to go), say yes to the party, say yes to seeing my people. Even if that means the dishes aren't done, the laundry needs folded, and on and on.

Make good choices | Bring on the office treats, holiday cocktails, edible gifts from vendors, and Christmas cookies galore. I want to focus on making good food choices. Eating lots of veggies. Keeping up with my workouts, and Fitbit steps to meet my 2017 goal. I try to remind myself of a few things during this time...

1. Store bought treats are never (or almost never) worth it. Grocery store cookies? Sooooo not worth it. Homemade cookies from an old school recipe? Worth it.

2. I've said it before, I'll say it again...saying "No" to a cookie now does not mean saying "No" to every cookie forever. Each time you meet a cookie, or candy, or donut, or cheese plate, you meet a choice. You can say yes, or you can say not this time. I try to save my yes's for things that are worth it. See #1.

3. Saying yes to a cookie does not mean I have to say yes to a whole plate of cookies. I can eat just one. I haven't figured out how yet, but people talk about it all the time on the Internet, so it must be possible.

Spend time outside | It is such a bummer during the week to wake up to darkness, leave work & drive home also in darkness. I want to make sure I'm getting at least one outdoor workout in each week. A run, a hike, a walk around the neighborhood, focus on getting some fresh air, and hopefully some sunshine each week.

What are your December goals?
What's one holiday treat that is ALWAYS worth it to you?
What's somewhere you've been that wasn't your favorite?

Linking up with :Holly & Tricia for Weekend Highlights