Rolling over into the new year has got to be one of my favourite feelings. There is so much hope and opportunity for what’s to come, for what you can create. If things didn’t pan out the previous year, you get another chance to achieve whatever you want!

I don’t know about you but I’m definitely guilty for writing out a whole long list of New Year resolutions and not getting past the first one. When writing out a full list of goals and resolutions, it can seem quite daunting and overwhelming and could quite possibly be why most of them don’t see the light of day. That’s why I want to help you create measurable New Year Resolutions for yourself (and myself, let’s be real!) We all know the aim of these resolutions is to carry them out throughout the year and in turn, hopefully start a new healthier lifestyle for ourselves, here are four simple steps you can follow to guide you into the right path for the New Year!

It starts with you.

No goal will begin or end if you aren’t in it 110%. When creating your resolutions you have to be inspired about it, when you are motivated and excited to start doing something it’s going to be a lot easier to continue them instead of it feeling like a chore. You can take a goal that has been lingering at the back of your mind for months if not years and use that to your advantage – if it has been there and it’s something you still think about then it’s something you need to go and grab (sounds like something I say to myself when I see a cute bag at the shop) and use that motivation. It’ll manifest itself into greater things!

Make sure your goals are realistic and measurable.

This is something I live by, whenever I create goals for myself throughout the year I try my utmost best to make sure they are realistically achievable within my specific timeframe. The goals you want to create can be as big or as small as you want them to be, just make sure that they aren’t so overwhelming that you don’t want to try at all! (I’ve been there all too many times). I like to create a main goal for myself and then break it up into smaller segments, I find this helps not only to make things seem less cluttered but also helps me stay accountable to my goals.

Find an accountability partner, whatever the goal.

There are going to be many moments throughout that you are going to feel uninspired and unmotivated, as though you’re getting nowhere so you may as well quit – don’t worry, that’s normal! That’s why on days where you’re finding it difficult to get yourself out of the house, knowing that someone on the other side is also counting on you to help achieve their goals makes it a lot easier! Plus; once you’re there you’ll be thanking yourself for it. With that said, it’s important to be kind to yourself and remember that slow progress is still progress. Although it sometimes seems easy to lose sight of the bigger picture, every small step counts towards your goals and still makes a difference. Keep going, you got this! You’re capable of great things, believe it.

Start small.

Success doesn’t happen overnight and neither does progress. It’s something you have to work on every day, little by little. Easing yourself into achieving your goals, doing one small change every day and practicing those changes will make the whole process a lot easier and a lot more maintainable for the rest of the year. Eventually it’ll become second nature, just persevere and have patience!

I know this isn’t me telling you exactly how to achieve your goals and make them realistic but if you take your inspirations, follow these steps and trust yourself – I promise you, you’ll reap the rewards you just need to be mindful and also remember that it is a lot easier to write 10 goals down on a piece of paper than go out and make them happen. You’re only human, don’t set yourself up with disappointment, it’s not fair on you!

With that said, I hope that you all have had a Merry Christmas and that you have the best start to the New Year!

2018 has to be by far one of the most challenging yet rewarding years in my life. I’ve grown in so many ways, I’ve learned a lot and have definitely faced some hardships whilst enjoying the endeavours of university. With 2019 just a few days away, I wanted to look at my year in review and reflect on the lessons i’ve learned.

I’m going to be honest with you, if you told me in Grade 12 that i’d be in university studying Sports Science I probably would have laughed at you, but life is full of surprises and here I am, 21 years old and I have just finished my first academic year. I’ve learned a great deal of lessons and allowed myself to be open to new ideas and opinions, 16 year old Jeanna would be proud. I low key wish that my younger self knew the things I know now, isn’t that always the case? It’s also partly the reason i’m writing this – for those people who feel lost, unsure and hopeful but also to look back at the successes of this year before celebrating the new year. Here are 12 things I’ve learned in 12 months.

You’re never too old to follow your dreams.

There are countless articles on how people followed their dreams and became successful in the late stages of their life. I know there is this stigma surrounding what age its deemed unacceptable to go to university but honestly, its a load of bull. You live and you learn, I didn’t know Sport Science was even a thing until last year and that’s what made me apply. Yes, I was frightened because I wasn’t fresh out of school but honestly – as soon as you meet people and start gaining some real friends, no one even looks at your age and more often then not people are more likely to be older than younger. If you want to do it, DO IT!

Not everyone has the same heart as you.

This was a tough pill to swallow but a necessary one. This year showed me that if people wanted to make an effort, they would and that no response is a response. Sometimes people don’t have the same morals or respect for you as you do for them but the way you react to them shows your character more than theirs. I have been heavily disappointed by people I thought i’d be friends with forever but it’s important to remember that those who really care, won’t do that to you!

Everything happens for a reason.

As cliche as this sounds, it really is a way of life. I’m a firm believer in things happening exactly the way they are supposed to even when they didn’t go the way you wanted them too. It’s taken me a long time to teach myself not to get upset over situations I cannot control and to make the most of the turn of events. Once you learn how to enjoy every moment, to the fullest as difficult as it may be sometimes – you’ll live a happier, healthier and richer life (figuratively and literally, I hope)

Celebrate the small victories.

Too often I see people frowning for not getting a better mark than what they had expected or for feeling bad for the things they have achieved, it shouldn’t be like that. It’s important to celebrate the small victories, it those that lead you to the big ones. If you got that job promotion or got that distinction, own it. Don’t feel bad because you’re worried of making others upset, you deserve good things just as much as they do. With that said, learn to give yourself and others credit when it is due!

Everything you need to know is inside your head.

This may not be a lesson I’ve learned but it’s a quote that my sister told me right before I wrote a test that I was extremely nervous for. I have passed it onto every friend, acquaintance and animal. I never thought of it then, and although it may be specifically uni related but when you are nervous for a test or even a big job presentation – whatever it may be and i’m talking moments before when the studying is done and you are waiting in line to go and write/present – this is a very true sentiment to go by. This quote is very simple in it’s manner but the meaning it holds is great. When you have spent so much time and effort on studying for a specific test it’s easy to doubt yourself and make yourself believe that you could have studied more or started studying earlier but in all honesty, there is no use worrying about what you can’t change in that moment. You just have to remind yourself that everything you need to know is inside your head and that you got this!

There are bigger things in life.

This is something that i’ve always known but haven’t practiced all too often. Recently life has shown me how quickly things can turn, how fast something unpleasant can happen and how it’s not worth letting the small things get to you. As cliche as it is, cherish every moment as if it were the last. We all experience things in life differently and no one ever experiences the exact same pain but we need to learn that sometimes it’s not worth getting upset over someone not putting the dishes in the dishwasher or packing the milk away once it’s been used. Life is a beautiful thing and we are so lucky with the fact that we have the opportunity to spend it with those who we love, we gotta make it count! Every single passing second!

Everything is temporary.

There were many times throughout the year where I felt as though the whole universe and everyone inside it was against me, where everything seemed to be going wrong all at once and no one was there besides myself to put it all back together but sitting here, at my desk with a hot cuppa and my cuddle bug of a cat next to me, makes me thankful for those difficult times. It taught me how to be patient, how to be kind to myself and I realised how those feelings, that I thought were never going to go away were only temporary and better things did come from it. It’s important to persevere during those difficult times and have faith that something better is around the corner, because it is you just have to remember to push yourself to get there.

There is so much to be thankful for.

An important thing for me that has helped me get through a lot over the past few weeks is that there is strength in family. I am ever so grateful for my family, if it weren’t for each and every one of them I have no idea where I would be now. When they offer their advice even when I really don’t want to hear it, i’ve learned to listen and absorb what they’re saying and i’m so thankful for that. Life is really a wonderful thing and I have so much to be thankful for besides my family. My friends, my boyfriend that offer me so much support and love, a safe place to live and definitely my animals. I really am a lucky girl.

I am not indestructible.

As much as i’d like to make myself believe I am, i’m not and that’s okay. This is something I often struggle with, I give myself so much to do in a short space of time and when I can’t accomplish it all within a ridiculous amount of hours, I become disappointed with myself. This is something that i’ve started coming to terms with, that i’m not invincible and that I do need 8 hours of sleep and to look after myself frequently. Although it’s something i’ve already started working on, it’s definitely one of my new year resolutions.

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and have a safe and Happy New year! x

The last month of the year is here! I don’t know about you but this year has felt like its been three years in one. Its had the most incredible and most difficult moments I have ever endured!

This post is hopefully to inspire those who are trying to make progress, become more fit and healthy whilst also having a good time during the holidays, like myself! I’ve recently been a little out of whack with my fitness regime because I have been busy writing exams. Exam time is a time where I don’t put pressure on myself to exercise daily or to be picky about my eating habits, I eat pasta if I feel like pasta and I workout when I can fit it into my studying schedule. So although I have been working out and eating well majority of the time, it’s time to get myself back into gear and time for a change!

Anyone that knows me knows that I take my health and fitness lifestyle seriously but not to the point where I allow it to dominate and control my life, that’s just not fun. December is a time for giving, indulging and spending time with family and friends.

My goals for the rest of the year are fairly simple; to enjoy myself whilst looking after myself.

I really want to get back into gym, 5 days a week 4 at least and to just be conscious about the food that I am putting in my body with that said, it’s December I don’t believe it’s necessary for you to be overly concerned with the amount of calories that are in certain meals or how long your workouts are. One unhealthy meal really isn’t going to set you down the wrong path, it’s important to enjoy your time with those whose company you enjoy without having to worry about the logistics of every meal or every activity. The new year is coming, it’s okay!

What I do believe isn’t the best idea if you are wanting to change your fitness and health lifestyle this holiday is don’t go overboard in one day. If you know you’re going to go out for dinner and have a good old pasta then try and eat well throughout the day, don’t have pizza for lunch as well. Enjoy everything in moderation, you’ll appreciate it more that way too!

Cape Town is a beautiful place and seeing as though i’m not going away these holidays, I definitely want to become a tourist in my own city. I can’t tell you how many times one of my friends from JHB or Durban tell me they went somewhere in Cape Town and i’m like “oh that sounds so cool, i’ve never been there” meanwhile they’ve been here 11 months and me 21 years, it’s sad really!

Being active is an important part of who I am and my lifestyle, when i’m stuck inside all day I go a little insane so if I don’t get to the gym one day, i’ll go for a walk on the beach or a hike up the mountain.

I feel like most of the posts or things I see on social media around this time puts a lot of pressure on people to live up to certain expectations and to live according to what they see on certain platforms but I want to tell you that it doesn’t have to be like that, you can enjoy yourself this season while making progress in your fitness and health journey just don’t allow yourself to have certain expectations or to make yourself feel bad when you don’t eat as well as you’d hoped one day. Always remember that the sun will rise and you can try again!

Recap of goals for December:

Enjoy yourself

Look after yourself

Eat well

Spend time with those who matter!

Be active

First of all, HAPPY NEW YEAR and hello to a fresh new beginning!!

If you are anything like me you will highly appreciate the fact that the first of Jan fell on a Monday, that pretty much means that there’s no room for error. Everything has to go smoothly and there is absolutely no chance that you can’t fall off the resolutions bandwagon, or so i thought… A few days into the new year and there I was struggling to stick to my list (that’s probably as long as 2017 was, but you know – one at a time) I just felt like, and hopefully I am not the only one that’s has been feeling like this but I have been feeling very uninspired and unmotivated. My brain is so excited to get going and reach my targets/goals but my body seems to be one step behind and struggling to catch up!

So what better time to write up some solutions on how to stick to your new year’s resolutions, right? Now, before we get into it – you must know that I am one of those people that has to practice what they preach and let me tell you, the more and more I practice these little things – I’m starting to feel the flames ignite again!

No.1. Don’t be so hard on yourself, take it at your own pace. 

You’re going to figure things out & everything will fall into place, it doesn’t all have to be done in one day. Now I’m not saying don’t push yourself but also remember we have been given the opportunity to have another 365 days to reach our goals and get to where we want to be, you don’t need to burn yourself out in the first week of Jan. You should be in no competition to rush. Take it as the pace that your body allows you to whether it be physically related or mentally. If you believe that you will make it there, you will. I have no doubt.

No.2. Find an activity you love outside those grey walls. 

This may sound a bit “ugh”but inspiration can often be lost between the concrete walls of your room or office space. Being inside 24/7 whether it be behind a desk or in the gym can begin to get boring and you may begin to feel constricted as to what you can and can’t do. More often than not finding something new you love to do can be a refreshing and new place to find inspiration from.

No.3. Read. Read books, personal development books – books that can inspire you.

You may be wondering how reading personal development books can inspire you enough to help you stick to your NY resolutions but if you find the right book, it will do more than just that! Yes, reading fictional books can often be more interesting and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, if you love reading those – keep reading them but add self development books to your pile. I promise you the best thing I ever did was pick up The Secret by Rhonda Byrne, it just changed my perspective on most things and made me want to work harder at the things I wanted to become better at. Sometimes it’s important to read something and understand it from someone else’s perspective.

No.4. Plan, plan plan.

When we have thoughts and ideas bouncing off our brain walls things may seem a bit overwhelming and foggy. You may struggle to find a place to start. What I have been doing (thoroughly if i might add) is planning. I’ve written all my ideas/goals/resolutions/future plans etc. onto pieces of paper and from there i’ve sorted them into their respective groups whether that be blog, uni or just life in general. If you plan things and put it in your diary there is more of a chance that it will get done and it won’t get lost in that busy brain.

No.5. Consistency.

I’ve said it before and I will say it again, consistency is key! Let me put it like this, if you are making a fire & put a lot of logs on at once the fire will burn out quickly, but if you add the logs slowly and consistently throughout the night, your fire will burn for longer, it’s the same for us. Doing a little bit each day will get you further than big amounts every other day and it will prevent you from becoming overwhelmed.

I hope that these points have helped in one way or another and have helped put things into perspective. My main piece of advice would be to think about your goals and how much energy you truly want to put into them and go from there – you’re doing life for yourself, no one else. Make the most of it!

I have some great content coming this year, if you are keen to see what I have in store be sure to be following me on   >> Instagram << or like my >> Facebook page << I really hope to inspire and motivate you all.

May 2018 be YOUR year!

“You do not wake up and become the butterfly – growth is a process”

Lots of love, Jeanna x