Baliktanaw: Goodbye 2015, Hello 2016!

And just like that, 2015 is almost over. It’s been awfully fast in my opinion, but it has been filled with lots of juicy content.
I’ve dubbed 2015 my “renaissance year” because this is the year I’ve decided to go out of my comfort zone and try new things that life offers.

In this post I’ll be summarizing my year and also making a short list of things to improve on for the next. Here we go!

First Things First

Let me begin by saying that this year, I’ve had a lot of firsts. These things have led to some habit-formation that (I believe) is putting me on the path to become a better person. Here’s a quick rundown of the things I’ve experienced for the first time this 2015.

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Numbers Don’t Lie

Thanks to keeping a daily journal, I was able to track some details that I would otherwise not be able to remember. This has been particularly important with regards to my #TwentyFITteen journey.

When it comes to fitness, it’s important to take note of as many things as possible. This makes measuring progress easier. Here are my fitness numbers this year:

• Strength Training
  • 107 Total Gym Days
  • Deadlift: 300 x 1 rep increased to 341 x 2 reps
  • Bench Press: 175 x 3 increased to 190 x 5 reps
  • Squat: 225 x 4 reps increased to 242 x 3 reps
  • Overhead press: 115 x 5 reps increased to 140 x 5 reps
  • Weights in pounds (lbs)

My total gym time has lessened compared to 2014 because of the introduction of other activities. However, I am happy to see some progress, even if it is slower than ideal.

• Bicycling
  • 18 Long Ride Days
  • 801km Total Distance
  • 48 hours and 48 minutes spent on the saddle
  • Farthest ride: Tagaytay
  • Highest ride: Sierra Madre

I bought a road bike this year because I wanted to ride it for duathlons and (improbably) triathlons. But this has been the activity that I haven’t really done a lot this year, and I’m hoping to improve this in 2016. Good thing I bike to work everyday so I’m not really estranged to pedalling.

• Running
  • 54 Run Days: 13 Fun runs + 41 Training runs
  • Finished 4.4km, 5km, 10km, 18km, 21km, and 42km distances.
  • 678.6km Total Distance
  • 76 hours and 39 minutes spent running

My newest recreational activity, running is amazing as a complement to hiking. The endurance that long runs give me, carry over greatly to hikes and I find myself tiring less-easily with regular runs on my schedule. No doubt I would still be running and continuing my mileage next year.

• Hiking
  • 20 Hiking days
  • 19 Mountain summits reached
  • 18 minor hikes + 1 major hike

My favorite activity that has made me more resilient with regards to the outdoors and given me more confidence with myself. Everyone has their own reasons for climbing. Me? I’m just happy I started, because now I’m having way too much fun to stop.

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With all my achievements this year, I have not forgotten that I am still a work in progress and that I have a lot of room for improvement. Almost a year ago, I posted a small list of things I wanted to improve on. After some self-evaluation, I think I accomplished most of the things there. I still need work on maintaining eye-contact with people but I have been making a conscious effort to stare at others.

With the new year coming really, really soon, I haven’t really had the time to reflect on a new list of resolutions, so off the top of my mind, here are the things I would like to improve on this 2016:

• Improve my self-discipline because I’m still vulnerable to temptations and justifying rash decisions. (e.g. eating a whole pack of Oreos vs running)
• Learn proper time management. With the influx of new activities and hobbies mixed with limited time, I really need to be able to ration my remaining hours to the right things. (e.g. Sleeping earlier vs staying up late)
• Return to being design-oriented. 2015 had me prioritizing a lot of fitness and travel-related goals. This 2016, I don’t want to neglect my profession which is graphic design. To creating more stuff again!
• Learn more. The best way to improve one’s self is to expand horizons. I will remain open-minded as well as hungry for knowledge this 2016.

So far, those are pretty much the things in mind I have for next year. 2015 has been an awakening for me and I am aiming to continue this forward momentum throughout the following years.

So for those of you who have been with me for 2015, thank you for your time. It’s been an amazing year and it’s just the tip of this amazing ride!

Finally, I’d just like to impart one single piece of advise that has helped me this year. “Life is much more enjoyable when you realize that you are in control of it.” So seize the day, the night, and everything else in life.

Happy holidays and a wonderful new year to all.

-jgzn