A new year! A new start!! I welcomed 2012 in, by nursing Clara (who somehow gets away with night nursing – we’d night-weaned Henry before he was a year old – Clara is 17 months. I blame her squishy cheeks. …And shrill scream.)
2011 was a pretty great year for me.
- I ran my first half marathon (1:43:39) – (just signed up for my 2nd – the Georgia 1/2 Marathon – March 18th!)
- Shed all of my baby weight.
- Began this blog in July (can’t believe I’ve only been doing this for 6 months?!?!)
- Started personal training again and teaching group fitness classes.
- Started to plan BLEND!
- Became a FitFluential Ambassador.
- Celebrated 6 years of marriage!
I’ll take it!!
Some of my favorite 2011 posts/features:
- Tuesday Trainer
- My Eating Disorder Series (this post has all the links)
- Lawn Fitness Series (Push Mower Power Sculpt & Rake Away The Fat)
- Best Recipe: Chocolate P.B. Chili
- Silly – I GOT IN (My Pinterest acceptance)
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Enough about me.
I asked YOU to send me your “Best of 2011” posts so that we could celebrate the end to a great year. I didn’t post yesterday because I had to READ all of the posts, (and, man, were there A LOT!) but it was worth it! I feel as though I know you all a little better and the posts submitted were full of rich words and take-aways.
2011 LINK LOVE (in alphabetical order)
Allie @ ColourMeHappy
Travel Tips – I love to travel & experience new places. I am also pretty particular about food & getting in exercise, so I share how I maintain healthy habits while traveling.
Sprint Moves Workout – It is pretty full-bodied with only four bodyweight exercises broken up by a lot of sprinting. The sprinting is what kept it intense for me. Short & sweet.
Spicy Black Bean Taquitos – We made taquitos for the first time, which were so fun & easier than I expected: boil water, dip, spoon, roll, bake. Crispy & yum.
Overcoming Mental Barriers (vlog) – While out bouldering alone, I videoed a brief vlog (~4 min) about overcoming mental barriers & persevering when “failing”.
Best Photography – Our entire San Francisco trip stands out to me, because it was a turning point where I realized I was capable of taking pretty nice photos. This isn’t necessarily even my favorite, but it opened a door to a desire of pursuing black-and-white photography.
Happy Place – This is about the silly, magical moments that make my life meaningful & happy. The comments from readers’ about their magical moments make my day.
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Amy @ RunningEscapades
Rock N’ Roll Providence – My most memorable (for some self-love) running moment of 2011.
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Ashley @ MyFoodNFitnessDiaries
Strength-Cardio-Core Circuit Workout
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Protein Pizookie
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Brittany @ IttyBitsOfBalance
2011 Recap – I’m just gonna leave my 2011 compilation post link (today’s post) because it sums up all of these babies.
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Cath @ CathHasABlog
My First Christmas Without My Mom
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Christine @ OatmealInMyBowl
Hiking in the Snow – Because I conquered a fear. Had a wonderful solitary experience. There was just an inner peace and a sense of accomplishment from this small, but mighty hike. And I couldn’t have asked for more beautiful weather that day.
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Harold @ VetRunner
The Hardest Thing About Running
You Have HOW MANY Pair of Running Shoes?
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Jen @ FoodFamilyFitness
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Katie @ MarathonWiner
The Marathon – My biggest accomplishment of 2011/my life – my first ever marathon recap.
Another One Bites The Dust – A funny training post!
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Katie @ PeaceLoveAndOats
Chocolate Chip Banana Protein Cupcake – My best recipe! And it has tons of great variations!
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Kris @ Spabettie
Spinach Pancakes – By stats/views, this is by far my most popular recipe.
Raw Apple Cobbler – One of MY favorites, that has been featured a lot (print magazines and newspapers as well as online publications!) and is just… good!
Attitude – This would fall under self improvement or… rambling? Still gets a lot of views!
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Kristin @ STUFTmama
Kitty, Kitty, Kitty – Funny- the true story about Kitty.
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Lindsay @ CotterCrunch
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Lindsay @ InSweetnessAndInHealth
We Don’t Mix – I like this post because it talks about making sure to eat enough for your activity level. I think it’s important for girls to know that you don’t necessarily have to eat low calorie to be fit and look healthy!
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Michele @ NYCRunningMama
Treadmill Workouts – Treadmill workouts to get you through the winter months!
Lived, Ran and Learned – After a failed attempt at a 30-mile training run, I regrouped and learned from all my mistakes from the 1st.
Me Time Rambles – Dealing with the guilt of leaving my son to do things for myself.
NYC Marathon – Participating in the Foot Locker 5 Borough Challenge.
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Nicole @ MakingGoodChoices
Make Your Own Dairy Free Ice Cream Cake: My most popular recipe of the past year was this homemade ice cream cake!
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Sam @ FitnessFoodFaith
Lime And Coconut Chicken – My favorite recipe from 2011 was my Lime and Coconut Chicken – So full of flavor and healthy.
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Samantha @ RunningAndCupcakes
Upper Body Workout – My first self created upper body workout (did it yesterday, it left me sore, it’s a good one)
Raspberry Lemon Linzer Cookies – I am now obsessed with these cookies.
Fall In Central Park – I took so many pictures when I went to NYC. These are just a few of the best.
Mad Marathon – My first marathon race report. It was the. best. thing. ever.
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Sara @ SaraLearns
Portobello Mushroom Enchiladas
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Stephanie @ LoveLifeProject
I Want To Jump Off Of Stuff – A post that I wrote about trying to do parkour at the park.
Playing At Food Blogging – Learning to take food photos (PS I am NOT a food blogger).
How To Paint A Picture – Self love, not body-related, this post is about learning to be creative again as an adult.
Photo Safari – A photo safari on the beach near my house.
What NOT to Say To Someone With An Uncooperative Uterus
Wear, Wash, Repeat – A post about reusable cloth menstrual pads that I had a lot of fun with.
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Tasha @ DineNDash
Black Bean & Goat Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
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Thanks to everyone for contributing!!
2011 is gone. 2012 is here.
I’m thinking it’s going to ROCK!
And that I might need to wean Clara!
**The winner of the Thimble Times Giveaway is # 3 – Chelsey!! Congrats! Send me an email so we can start the customization!**
splendid…lindsay
i skipped this whole post, but wanted to say i love you and have been missing you!
i been missing you so hard.
I can’t believe you’ve only been blogging 6 months either! And so happy you’re doing the ATL half!!!!! I’ll be there too. :)
oh good!! We should do dinner the night before and carb-load!
I am loving all the link love here :) Excited to check it all out! Happy 2012!
Hey friend! I’ve been pretty M.I.A. this last week with holidays but am back and popping in to say what a great post and collection of thoughts, advice, and fun articles written by yourself and others! Thanks for compiling it! Here’s to a beautiful New Year – love all that God accomplished through you and in you in 2011! :D
I’ve missed you!!! 2012 is going to rock because I’m going to meet you!!
Hi Lindsay,
I love your blog! I just started one myself on January 1st. I’m about to click on your eating disorder serious (I have a lot of my own issues). I also homeschool and run. I think your blog is going to be my model. I love the way you include everyone! Happy New Year!
WOW!! Thanks for reading!! And good luck on your blog!
Happy New Year!! I’ve missed so much being offline for almost a week, looks like I have some reading to do. I’ll have to bookmark this one and take some time to read up on all these “best of” posts.
yes! this is def. a “bookmark me” post! well worth it though!
What a great compilation! Fitfluentials have got it going on!
And can I tell you how much I love the name Clara for a little girl? Awesome.
Thanks! Henry is a family name, but Clara is just one that we liked when we saw it.
you had one stellar year! and man, you are fast at running. Your first was 1:43? Dang woman! i think thats my PR, haha.
THanks for this, i am saving it in my reader for sure!
I only ran it that fast to get it over with sooner! 13 miles is going to kill me again!
What a fun post. So many awesome posts highlighted!
Happy New Year, friend!
you too, Dana!!
I just found your blog through T’s and I love this list :). Thanks for sharing, you just introduced to a ton of lovely ladies and interesting reading for the day!
Those chubby cheeks and shrill shrieks win almost every time. I can’ wait until our daughters get together and scream together.
I know!! Clara will totally eat Adrienne!
Very complete roundup. Wow, that must have taken a LONG time to go through.
Oh yay, loving this. Can’t wait to get a chance to go through and read up on everyone. :)Happy New Year Lindsay!!!!!!! :) PS- I really like your New Year’s resolution. he he! Hugs!
Girl, I thought you were a blogging veteran, at least a couple years in!! You are AMAZING! I had fun reading through these fabulous girls’ posts, and I totally did a 2011 recap… I thought I posted it in your comments on that post but maybe not, oopsies! Happy new year, friend… may 2012 bring you much greatness, and I can’t wait to meet you at BLEND!
i didn’t see it! Dang you, WordPress!
Can’t wait for BLEND!
I can’t believe that you’ve only been blogging for 6 months! You’ve grown FAST…
thanks for including me on your list, lindsay!! seeing the recipe again makes me want to make those enchiladas soon. :)
Aw thanks for the linkup, Lindsay!
And WOW I was shocked when I read you’re only 6 months into blogging– so am I!! Blogging twinsies :)
Oooo, that’s a lotta’ link love. :) Looks like 2011 was good to you. Here’s to another great year!
Thank you for including me!!! You are too sweet and it makes me feel so special! Happy New Years!!!
Love, love, love this idea and so happy I got to be a part of it! Looking forward to reading all the posts and checking out some new blogs.
Thanks for sharing with all of us! Happy New Year!
Aw thank you so much for doing this! I love all of the blog lovin’ going on :). You have had a great year!! I can’t believe that you just started your blog in July! It seems so much more advanced than that!
i am FURIOUS i did not know about the peanut butter chili before this FURIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! now i’m better and i can’t believe either you’ve only been blogging for 6 months! you’re such a 6-year pro haha
YAY for Blend! you are only six months in?? you are doing a fantastic thing, and I am so SO happy I found you!!
I’m glad I’m up early, I am excited to read through ALL of these posts! <3
Only 6 months!! Seems like it’s been forever – and I’m SO very glad we “met”!
YAY!!!!!!!!!!! I just got so pumped.
Aaand you’re going to rock 2012. I would probably give into a 17 month old squishy cheeked cute baby girl as well.
I know! She’s SO hard to say no to!
Awesome collection of posts. I can’t wait to dive in and read em all!
Inly 6 months ago on the blog? Doing awesome!
See you at BLEND! ;)
And thank you for the inclusion.
My pleasure! Loved your post!
so glad I found your blog! thanks for including me! :)