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Home » Recipes » Inspiring Thoughts

What I Learned In 2009

December 8, 2009

Remember in this post when I told you what my 9 in 2009 were?

Things I have never done but want to in ‘09:

  • RACE! [my first half marathon (May 10th 2009), etc]
  • Run 1,000 miles in 2009
  • Visit a new country (we are thinking Ireland this year)
  • Start an online bakery
  • Raise over $2,500 for Cancer research
  • Renovate our new house (e.g., learn how to install hardwood, do basic repairs, etc)
  • Start working on my first book
  • Secure a BIG contest giveaway on Oh She Glows
  • Learn and practice yoga

I thought it would be fun to reflect on the last year to find out how I really did with my 2009 goals and see what I have learned.

Let’s begin…

1. RACE: I not only ran my first race, but I bounced back from an injury running my first 10k, 10 miler, and two half marathons in a span of just 5 months. Goal accomplished!

IMG_7010_thumb

What did I learn?

  • Listen to my body and don’t run when injured/tired/sore
  • The thought ‘I’m not a good runner’ only applies if you SAY/THINK it. Once I stopped thinking it I started running 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 13 miles…
  • Races are FUN
  • Races are expensive (which is why I have put them off for a few months!)
  • I ran all of my races running <3 times a week. You don’t have to follow a 5-6 day a week plan to race!

2. Run 1,000 miles: This type of goal is what got me injured from Jan 13-March 2nd 2009! I learned a big lesson this year- don’t push myself too hard and to listen to my body! I have logged every workout this year (pretty crazy- see for yourself!). I am guessing I ran about 300 miles this year and did a TON of cross-training!

What did I learn?

  • Don’t set too high of a goal. Aim lower and surprise yourself ;)
  • Don’t get caught up in what everyone else is doing. Set exercise goals for ME and me only!

3. Visit a new country: Sadly, this didn’t happen this year as money was extra tight with me starting my own business. I hope we are able to do this next year!

What did I learn?

  • Looking at honeymoon and other travel pictures takes me on a mini-vacation even when I can’t get away!

4. Start an online bakery: This is the goal I was most proud of this year. I started Glo Bakery in the spring and the rest was history. Goal accomplished!

logo_Glo_Bakery What did I learn?

  • With hard work, discipline, and perseverance I can do anything I set my mind to!
  • Baking all day is very hard & exhausting work
  • My creativity was trapped for years working in uninspiring environments
  • Work can be exciting

5. Raise $2,500 for cancer: I ended up raising over $3300 for cancer with my Shop 4 A Cause Charity Auction! Goal accomplished!

u19555527copy-thumb What did I learn?

  • People get sooo pumped about silent auctions ;)
  • There are so many awesome people will to help out in any way they can
  • Running for a cause is very rewarding and makes it more special

6. Renovate our house: We have completed a lot of renovations on our house this year, but I give all of the credit to Eric. He has done most of it as I have been so busy with the business. He has renovated our family room, front entry, did a ton of wiring/behind the scenes stuffed, scraped popcorn off ceiling, painted, etc etc.  We didn’t get to hardwood floors but that will be 2010. Go hubby! Goal accomplished!

IMG_7383

What did I learn?

  • Buy Non-VOC paint!!!
  • Appreciate my husband for the work he does every single day
  • Don’t expect a complete transformation of the house in 1 year
  • Renos are SO expensive
  • Prepare for unexpected renos (non-cosmetic). We had an unexpected roof repair that cost us $3,500 and set us back on our cosmetic renos

7. Start working on my first book: One of my goals is to write a book but I have not had the time this year to pursue this goal. I definitely want to at some point!

What did I learn?

  • I can’t expect to do everything at once!
  • I can still explore my love for writing on OSG for the time being

8. Secure a big giveaway on OSG: I had the biggest giveaway I have ever hosted on OSG this summer with Summer Glow Boot Camp. We gave away a photoshoot worth over $500, Amazing Grass prizes, Glo Bars, among other great products! Goal accomplished!

summerglowbannercopy34

What did I learn?

  • Organizing big giveaways takes hours and hours of time!!!
  • Giving away cool stuff is very fun

9. Learn and practice yoga: I have definitely given yoga a chance in my life this year. I have used it for relaxation and I am loving how centered it makes me feel. Goal accomplished!

img-7612-thumb 

What did I learn?

  • I love yoga for the stress release it gives me, but I can’t see myself becoming a hard-core yogi anytime soon. I will use it for relaxation, stretching, and stress release when needed.

~~~~

What did you learn in 2009?

Did you meet any resolutions that you set for yourself?

~~~~

A quick note about my CTV interview- I am told it won’t be airing until this weekend but I don’t have a day and time yet! Will keep you updated…

Stay tuned for my 10 in 2010 coming up!!!

Angela_Signature

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Filed Under: Hot Topics, Inspiring Thoughts Tagged With: 2009, 2010 new years resolution ideas, new year's resolutions, new years, new years resolution

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Cindy
16 years ago

OH MY GOSH what a year you’ve had….
Since about August I have been amazed also with my year. It was a very “roll up my sleeves” and get busy kinda year and I am very very proud of myself.
I think I should do a re-cap too…and set new goals for 2010!

Thanks for sharing!

Reply
Karla
16 years ago

Setting goals is extremely important to me. Congratulations on reaching so many of your goals! I’m excited to start reformulating my goals for the upcoming year (NOT resolutions)

Great post!

Reply
Girlonraw
16 years ago

Wow you must be uber proud of yourself. Such great achievements. It is always important (I think) to not only stop and congratulate yourself for achieving your goals, but stop for a moment before you move on to your next achievements. You go girl. Very inspiring :)

Reply
genie
16 years ago

I don’t think I followed your blog and the beginning of the year, but WOW!! great job on accomplishing so many of them and learning about yourself along the way! I love your 10 in 2010 idea, too!

Reply
Sagan
16 years ago

Wow- go you!! It’s been quite the year for you.

Reply
Kristen
16 years ago

You accomplished so much in 2009!

Running a half marathon in 2010 is one of my goals.
You probably have a link to your half marathon training but I was curious when you had mentioned that you didn’t train 5 and 6 days. What was your running/workout schedule while training and how much time did you give yourself to train?

Reply
Lizzie
16 years ago

Wow!!! That’s amazing – congrats!! I feel like the year has just flown by and can’t remember half of where it went! :) But I have had to deal with athletic challenges (aimed to run my first 1/2 and had to pull out 2 weeks before with injury) and learning how to slow down and listen when my body needs a break. I got into the habit of making GM’s and even got my husband to like them (he really notices a difference if he doesn’t have one)!

10 in 2010 sounds like a very good idea – excited to see what’s on the agenda! :)

Reply
Katrina M
16 years ago

that’s so great that you accomplished so much!!! this is a great idea, and one i think i’m going to get my husband in on for 10 in 2010!!! :) great idea!!!

my year started off well…. was on track with losing weight, got married and went on our honeymoon, ran a half marathon in september…. but the last few months have been rough, i’ve relapsed into my emotional/binge eating, and i’m struggling to find myself. hopefully 2010 i can get on the right track. thanks for your daily inspiration!! :)

Reply
Jenny
16 years ago

So many exciting things for you Angela! And I truly think the most beautiful part of this post is not what you actually accomplished (which is awesome!) but the things you learned along the way! It’s a great reminder that those are the things we should be paying attention to in life! Thanks :)

Reply
Hillary @ Nutrition Nut on the Run
16 years ago

Wow, you really did accomplish A LOT this year. Way to go, girl!

Reply
Meredith (Pursuing Balance)
16 years ago

I learned to ride a bicycle this year!!! :)

Reply
Jolene
16 years ago

In 2009 I have already accomplished so much!! I obtained my second degree, I got a permanent position at work – something I have been waiting 5 years for – and my hubby and I finished our (previously cement and nasty) basement.

I also started blogging, and bought a new car!

It has been a fabulous year!

Reply
Aneta
16 years ago

hey great post.
u’ve done so much.
cant wait to hear ur goals for 2010.

my biggest goal is to run my first marathon! im excited and scared.

oh and i have a question for you.
recently, i heard that coconut oil is very good for your skin. any ideas on this? and where can i buy some in canada? the other blog that i read, it mentioned only US stores.
Any ideas where i can buy some in toronto?

Reply
El
16 years ago

Congratulations on your achievements! What a great year for you! I’m interested as to what kind of book you’re planning to write – fiction/non fiction?

2009 has been an amazing year for me – I’ve started a new career, I got back into regular running and converted (back) to being vegetarian as well as a whole host of other things. I’m planning to do a bit of a reflection on what I’ve achieved and learnt this year at some stage as well as I’m in a completely different place to where I was last year.

Reply
Katy @ These Beautiful Feet
16 years ago

Boy, they are leaving you hanging on the interview aren’t they?

I love this list, it’s great to see that we should set goals and make sure they are reasonable and not to push ourselves! I am running my first half next year and training smart is so important. Thank you for this! :)

Reply
Kristy
16 years ago

Really enjoyed this post – “Don’t set too high of a goal. Aim lower and surprise yourself” – Absolutly Love It!

Reply
JaneMBeall
16 years ago

Try deflating your stability ball and bring along a pump. That way you can WYM!

Reply
valerie
16 years ago

I learned that speaking intelligently and personally about mental illness is the easiest way to both connect with and educate others. I also learned that my students will always end up teaching me much more than I could ever hope to teach them.

Reply
Cynthia (It All Changes)
16 years ago

I learned that I’m stronger than I or anyone else gave me credit for. I bounced back from so many things this year and I am so happy I did. I learned a lot.

Reply
Sarah
16 years ago

I love your list! I can’t remember what I set out to do this year, but I’m going to make a list of 10 for next year too :)

Reply
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About Angela

I’m Angela, the founder of Oh She Glows. Since 2008, I’ve been on a journey to glow from the inside out by creating crowd-pleasing plant-based recipes. I’m a New York Times Bestselling cookbook author and award-winning app creator. Click below for my full story!
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