Thanks for all the lovely comments on my post about moving to New Zealand! For the most part the move went well – no problems with my visa or getting to Kepa’s place. But I am still waiting on half of my luggage, so even the most exciting events have a few practical problems. Someone in LA want to go find my bag and send it to me? Gracias.
Besides that minor snafu everything is great. It’s strange to be back in New Zealand. Everything is familiar from my last visit and it feels like home. Yet at the same time I can’t believe I’m here. I mean, really? It hasn’t sunk in that I’m living in New Zealand instead of just visiting. It hasn’t sunk in that this is my new home and my new life. Maybe that feeling will come later when it all gets a little more real.
I have been thinking a lot about what I want to do in this next year. This is the longest chunk of time that I’ve worked with in a while. My year long visa seems like so much time when I’ve gotten used to planning my life by the month (or three at most). I know you can accomplish a lot in a year’s time and I would like to make this year a very productive one in many ways, especially health and fitness wise. So with that in mind I’ve pinpointed a few of the things I would like to accomplish.
1. Join a gym and regularly attend. I want to join a gym and go at least 3 times a week while I’m here. I won’t do much real traveling besides weekends, so I’ll have plenty of time to go to the gym. The main purpose for the gym is strength training. It’s been way too long since I was regularly lifting weights and I want to fix that because I love being strong and lifting weights.
2. Go snowboarding. I’m not sure if I talk about it much because I wasn’t able to go this past year, but snowboarding is my absolute favorite activity. I want to go at least once or twice while I’m in New Zealand if possible. I need to add another mountain range to my list. ;)
3. Walk up Rangitoto Island. This was an item off of Kepa’s list that I decided to steal and make my own. I wanted it to be a goal for both of us that we can accomplish together. A little relationship building and exercise. Sounds like a win to me.
4. Walk as much as possible. I love this place because I can walk anywhere I want. My hometown is not at all friendly to pedestrians. You basically have to drive everywhere. But in New Zealand it’s possible to get around via walking and public transportation so that’s what I want to do. If there is an option to walk I want to take it.
5. Weigh under 200 pounds. I’m close. I’ve been close, but stuck, for a while now. But now that I’m not traveling or living at home I have the feeling I will soon be under 200 pounds. I can’t wait to finally have that stupid number behind me!
6. Food blog every day. During my long flight over the Pacific I decided that I wanted every day in New Zealand to be a good and healthy one food wise. Also, I decided that I want to blog my food (my form of food tracking/journaling) each night. Paying attention to what I’m eating is very important and something I want to make a priority.
Those are the main things I really want to have happen in the next year health and fitness wise. Of course I have other goals like spending time with Kepa, planning the wedding, earning money to pay for the wedding, making new friends, etc. Those are important to me too and will be a main priority while I’m here.
So I’ve got some things to work on for the year and I’ve got plenty of motivation to make things happen. I’m excited!
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{ 23 comments }
Wonderful and very do-able goals, Mary! Hope your bags get to you soon!
Marisa @ Loser for Life´s last [type] ..The Apocalypse
This is so exciting. (Is it bad I’m living vicariously through you?) It’s funny how just a change of location can clear the mind enough to make a fresh start.
Tracey @ I’m Not Superhuman´s last [type] ..What More Free Stuff
Not bad at all. ;) A change in location is great, it’s so refreshing!
This sounds very exciting!
Lori (Finding Radiance)´s last [type] ..C’est la vie
*jumps up and down excitedly* HAPPY!!!
The island walk sounds like a fantastic adventure. Mmm adventure walking.
Sagan´s last [type] ..Plea for Camera Help and a Sangria Recipe
I’m so excited for your new adventure. :)
Yum Yucky´s last [type] ..Tasting! Tofutti Cuties Fake-Azz Ice Cream Sammiches
Mary, so fun & exciting & amazing!!!! I love #1 of course! ;-)
Looking forward to hearing about your new life there! I am so jealous.. I know, a bad emotion, but I am!!! :-)
Jody – Fit at 52´s last [type] ..Dream Big – Tips to Help You Attain Those Dreams
Mary – yay for being in NZ and setting up your new life and routine – you’ve been looking forward to it for so long! I love your list of goals and all of them are absolutely do-able. Enjoy your fun and active NZ life with Kepa! Can’t wait to read about your adventures…
Meegan´s last [type] ..Week in Review
Sounds like some great goals there. I’m so excited to read about your new life in New Zealand. All the pics I’ve seen from last time are SO beautiful! What is winter like there?
katdoesdiets´s last [type] ..Monday Miles-Running Films
Winter where Kepa lives isn’t that bad at all. It doesn’t snow here. But of course that’s just one part of the island. Other places get a lot colder and get snow. I’m glad I’m in the more mild area!
I hope your luggage arrives soon.. Since you pared your stuff down, it must be really necessary stuff in there. Im always scared that will happen to me when I fly! Esp since I usually want to bring my favorite clothes on vacations! Does NZ get cold and snowy? Well, it must, if youre snowboarding. I didn’t know that. I LOVE living in places where you can walk around (or public transportation). Which, I guess, is why I live here in SF and was in boston before that. It’s healthy without having to put any effort in, but it’s also just prettier and more interesting because you see more of where you’re living and more of the people. Yay exciting!! Cant wait to read all about it!
merri´s last [type] ..I think TOO MUCH
Ha, there is some stuff in there I would really like to get soon!
NZ does get cold and snowy in some places, but not where I am. Here it’s never snowed or just snowed once or something crazy like that.
I’m pretty excited about living here so I can’t wait to share more!
First time/long time. Chiming in tonight because I have a serious case of NZ envy. I have wanted to live there since I was 10 or 12 years old. Life, business, and relationships have conspired against me. Still, I visit every so often, but know I will never live there.
Don’t squander it! Don’t forsake it! Don’t take it for granted! What you now have is what many others dream of and will never receive. Honor the gift by living the gift to its fullest potential.
Thanks for commenting. :) I’ve wanted to live here for a long time too and I’m so grateful to get the chance! It’s amazing! I will definitely live it up and not take what I have for granted. :)
Good goals, Mary. :) I look forward to seeing what you your life and blog are like in New Zealand for the next year. What an exciting time! I have always wanted to spend a year living abroad.
Art´s last [type] ..Stuff and whatnots
I’m excited for all of your changes! I think it will be good to have that consistency in what is still a rather new place. I know you’ve been there before, but it will be nice to have some sort of constant taking place.
I like the plans and look forward to seeing you accomplish them! Good luck!
I hope those bags get to you soon! Those goals sound awesome and very attainable. What an adventure you are on!
Congratulations on the move! New Zealand is a stunningly beautiful country! Have you ever thought of counting your calories for a year or so to really kick start the last legs of weight loss? I lost 40 lb. (and counting) using Calorie King (9 bucks a month) to record everything I eat and it’s been a miracle. I’ll be doing it until the day I die (happily). I always wonder why more people don’t count calories. It’s the only guaranteed way to lose and maintain (assuming you consistently eat good healthy foods and hit your daily targets). Anyway good luck, I hope you meet your weight loss and other goals!
Those are some great goals! I hope you’ve gotten your luggage back by now.
i didn’t know it was still snow season in NZ. are you hitting up Queenstown for snowboarding? i hear it’s absolutely beautiful.
my hometown in Canada, you had to drive everywhere too. but now that i live in downtown Sydney i walk everywhere i go, or take the train which is like a 5 minute stroll away. i love it! not having to fight with rush hour traffic or finding a parking spot is awesome! (plus it’s CRAZY expensive to park here. some places $20 an hour – are you serious???)
Angela (the diet book junkie)´s last [type] ..not all salad is created equal
I want to go next winter, don’t have the money and since it’s the end of the season I’m not sure if it’s still snowy down there. Def going next winter.
That’s crazy expensive parking!
Hello!
I found your blog through Healthy Food Blogs (I think!) and I just wanted to say hello as I moved to NZ at the beginning of the month! I’m in Rotorua at the moment, not sure how long I’m going to stay, but I’m absolutely loving it so far. Everyone is very friendly and the food is super fresh
Looking forward to reading more of your work! x
Beens´s last [type] ..The dream is collapsing
Hey Beens! Thanks for commenting! I just got here this past weekend and I’m excited to be here. :) I went to Rotorua last time I visited NZ and had a great time – and some really good food.
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