Big Plans

I had such an awesome year!  A really, really good year. (If I'm not sounding real enough, see the bottom of this post.*)  It is impossible for me to truly convey how grateful I am for this past year, but I can start by saying, "I was healthy."  I had the first year in as long as I can remember without a single cold or flu.  No strep throat.  No bronchitis.  No sinus misery.  I stayed well the entire year. 

That doesn't mean I had totally perfect health.  I struggled some with glutening and a rise in my antibody numbers early in the year.  I battled with SIBO.  I found out I have the MTHFR genetic defect.  Still, these things didn't really phase me, 'cause I feel so darn prepared to fight now.  I KNOW how to heal myself!  What the heck?  I am so grateful for this year.

So, first, let me do a little recap.  Last year I posted five goals I had for becoming optimally WELL.  You can read about it here.  It didn't go flawlessly, but in general, I made consistent progress.

1)  Supplementation-  I did finally get this ironed out for myself, but it took me until around late October, early November.  I am noticeably reaping the benefits, but it was not easy or cheap.

2)  Exercise-  Uuuum.  I had a great walking routine for part of the year and then it turned into a so-so routine for part of the year and in the last month things went doooownhill.  Overall, I am happy though.  I do feel like I have more stamina and a bit more strength, but I'm recommitting for better results.

3)  Sleep-  I was way better with sleep in 2013, then in 2012, but I've still got some tweaking in this department.  Overall, I got much more restful sleep this year.  I have decided that this trumps almost everything though and I'm recommitting.

4)  Stress Management-  I am really, really happy with my progress here!  I sorta' had a stress attack this month (holidays, school, etc), but the rest of the year I really handled my stress levels well.  I didn't freak out, I didn't overcommit, I stopped doing tons of things I just did not WANT to do, I handed over a few responsibilities, and I took time to meditate, pray, watch birds, and have fun.

5)  Personal Care-  I loved the No Poo Method, but late this fall I started getting very, very dry scalp from the baking soda cleanser.  I am now doing "Low Poo."  I continue to use the oil cleansing method or Dr. Bronner's for my facial wash.  I'm still playing with deodorant options.  I also need more work on body moisturizers.  Overall, I am so happy I worked on getting the poisons off me.

So that's the update, now what are my 2014 goals?  It is much more simple this year folks.  Here's my list:

1)  Become a certified health coach.  (I want to help other people have the best year ever too!!)
2)  Move my body, so I can get strong.  (I'm going to try weight training.  Yikes!)
3)  Sleep like it is my J-O-B.  (I don't even feel bad about it.  Who wants a nap?)

What are your goals for the New Year?  Are you starting Paleo or AIP?  Are you further perfecting it?  Maybe you are still searching for a diagnosis?  Maybe your goals are a completely different set of objectives . . . whatever they are, share them.  Put it out there in the universe & see if the thought starts to become an action.

*Does this seem too good to be true?  Good for Angie, she had a great freakin' year.  Good freakin' job.  I'm going to tell you guys the truth, 'cause that is what I do here . . . connect by being vulnerable.  I had some very big fails this year, but the epic one was with this blog.  I geared up for a major revamp (you can read about my intentions here ) in March and was planning to finish it by June, but I didn't get ANY of it done.  I totally did NOT nail it.  I'm really, REALLY intimidated by the process of taking this blog to the next level and I let "perfect" paralyze me and get in the way of progress.  I'm going to keep trying and I hope you guys will cheer me on.