Hey there!
It's been almost 2 years since I produced content on this blog and even longer since I did it regularly, but for 2024, I thought, "why not bring the old blog back?" Is blogging still a THING?!? Life has been busy the last few years, and my mind has often been consumed with learning other things for not only my day job, but also my side hustle. Things are always changing, right?! Writing was a huge part of my life in 2019 and 2020 when I wrote and self-published not one, but two books, and I have missed it, but I just haven't had the headspace to do it in a disciplined way the last few years. I could say that I didn't have the TIME, and yes I have been very BUSY, but it would be a lie to say I didn't have the time, as we all have TIME for things that matter the most to us. I personally have wasted lots of time at night choosing to watch movies or do something else that was non-productive and easy instead of reading or writing. And maybe you too have been exhausted by the world the last few years and chose easy over productive, and that's okay. We all needed a break. But let's look ahead to 2024 and get back to work on our passion, hobbies, health, and goals, shall we?
Since it's been minute, let me re-introduce myself to anyone who might not know me and why I'm here. I'm Allison, also known as @filluptospillout on instagram, because in 2019 I decided to create a space where I could share about all things running, fitness, and personal growth and connect with a community online who cared about these things. Why "fill up to spill out?" Because when it came down to why these things were important to me, I realized that they were the things that filled my cup each day and allowed me to spill out as a happier person when it came to being a mom, a wife, a family nurse practitioner and more. When we make time for ourselves each day, take care of our health, have hobbies and goals, we are better equipped to take on the stress of the world and also be an example to those who are watching. Self-care is not selfish, but essential if we want to spill out as the best version of ourselves. And therefore, fill up to spill out has not only become my motto, but a bit of a brand for me and even the title of my last book self-published at the end of 2020, Fill up to Spill out, because we can't pour from an empty cup (available on Amazon).
I am married to my college sweetheart, mom to two teen girls, a doodle mom and accidental chicken mom, and I work as a family nurse practitioner. I have turned my passion for running, fitness, and personal growth into a side hustle, partnering with Beachbody as a BODi coach and also writing and creating content in various ways in my fringe hours. I'm an early riser, I enjoy pursuing goals, I crave order in chaos, and running calms my mind and brings me joy.
In 2013, I got back into running after taking a break to have babies, and decided to train for my 1st half marathon with my husband who had a goal to run the Houston Marathon in 2014. After running that half marathon in San Antonio, I was hooked. I had always been a runner, but training that year as a mother runner and then successfully running 13.1 miles ignited something inside of me and I didn't want to stop. I eventually ran my 1st full marathon in 2016 and said it was the hardest thing I'd ever done, even harder than childbirth. But the hard is what makes it so good, right? I've gone on to run a total of 5 marathons and 16 half marathons, and I am currently training for another.
At nearly 44, I am older and slower, always battling some sort of minor injury, but I'm still running with a goal to be a lifelong runner. I am no longer chasing PR's, but chasing the JOY, and I want the same for you! Whether your goal is to walk or run 1000 miles in 2024, train for your first half marathon, get stronger by adding strength training, or work on your nutrition, it's got to be something that you care about, something that you're deeply invested in, something that makes you FEEL better and brings you JOY in the journey.
Not only do you have to have a goal, but you need a word that's going to keep you focused on your WHY, and also a roadmap that's going to get you to your goal by the end of 2024. Do you pick a word for the year? I have been doing so since 2020 when I chose the word COURAGE, not realizing that the year would involve me working as a healthcare worker through my first global pandemic. The following year, I chose Flourish, and then Committed, and most recently Intentional. Your word can be anything, but it needs to point you to your focus for the year.
Once you have your big goal for 2024 and your word for the year, it's time to focus on a roadmap. You can't set a goal without having a plan. If I want to run 1000 miles in 2024, I can't just hope that it will happen, but I've got to figure out when I will run, how I will track it, and what will keep me motivated.
I created the following calendar for you to download and print in order for you to create your own roadmap for your big goal(s) in 2024. Check it out!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1x0rwDpt2mmphX5aufMIKaVQjcvSwzZPx/view?usp=share_link
My goal for 2024 is to run 1000 miles ( I'm ending 2023 in the 700's), but I want to do this while also staying committed to my strength training and race training. I have mapped out the year with how many miles I want to run each month, which BODi program I am going to pair it with, and when I am going to train for my races. I also added some nutrition goals. My word for 2024 is going to be DISCIPLINED. To be disciplined is to carry out one's decisions and plans despite inconvenience, hardships, or obstacles. Someone who is disciplined commits, avoids temptations, takes care of themselves, works at developing habits, sets boundaries, leads with mind over mood, and they keep their eye on the prize!
I'd love to provide a virtual gym community for you to work on your own health and fitness goals in 2024 if you need it! All fitness levels are welcome, whether you're a runner, walker, prefer strength training, or WANT to love all 3, I can help provide accountability, community, and encouragement in my new group starting in January. If you want to get a taste of it before you commit, myself along with a couple of coaching friends on my team will be hosting a free Facebook group the first week in January. Let me know if you want an invite.
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