Goals & Motivation

Goals for 2020 (lol)

- Mel

**Note — In light of this current pandemic and extended period of physical isolation (and, well, being furloughed from work), I decided to push out some of my previously-unfinished and not-bothering-to-finish drafts in my WordPress. Most of this doesn’t make sense and makes perfect sense at once given the climate, but… meh, one less draft on my dashboard. The initial draft of this post was saved on December 14, 2019. I added the “lol” to the title of this post in its current review.**

I’m not buying into that “IT’S THE END OF THE DECADE DO SOMETHING WITH YOUR LIFE!” world-ending bullshit. But I am considering the ways in which my habits make an impact on the world.

I’m looking at you, Amazon.

Yes, this has a LOT to do with my purchasing habits. It may sound like a lot of RULES but I have been really conscious of late (particularly with downsizing to our new house) about the number of items that I own in regard to the amount of space that I have.

Starting fresh for 2020, I do not plan to purchase a book from Amazon unless ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY (see: school or professional book requirements). My Des Moines Library card is ready for duty. While I am disappointed at the lack of small bookstores in the Des Moines area (search IndieBound for yours!), there is the cutest Beaverdale Books nearby and a Half-Priced Books in Clive. One caveat, I really do adore my Book of the Month membership [affiliate link!] and its recommendations, so I will probably keep that going. Any other “new” books that I receive will be direct from the publisher and the like because of ARCs or contest giveaways.

Search etsy before making Amazon purchases (or AllModern, or Wayfair). This, for when I’m in my online buy-binge modes (it happens, I am a human with faults). I know that etsy is not without its problems, but I will actively seek out small store owners/makers for what I want in home decor. Tbh though I am Not a Fan of in-store shopping much. In concert with that decision, I will seek out home decorating items with the fun local vintage shops in town (like CKD Vintage or Funky Finds) before buying online (window shopping online for ideas is fine, obvs).

One of the difficult decisions for me is my wardrobe. I’ve tried selling new/used clothing on Poshmark and it just sits there in my laundry room waiting for sale. I have had close to zero success there. Dropping off my no-longer-worn items at Goodwill is super convenient, but I was really horrified to learn that only a small percentage of their donated items go to the sales floor. THE REST GOES TO THE LANDFILL. I can do better. For one, to not purchase what I don’t need (learning the difference between “want” and “need” is super hard and I effectively interchanged and edited those instances even in this post). For two, return what I haven’t worn. And finally, find organizations that will actually use/need the items to be donated. A strategy for shopping that has worked to help me curb my impulse behaviors is to put items in my cart… and then close the page. Or save to Pinterest to contemplate the purchase further.

2019 Goals and Reflecting on last year

- Mel

At yoga last week, a friend commented on how much I’ve changed in a year. We attend this weekly community yoga class lead by the awesome Ben Spellman (Good Vibes Yoga, for those not in the know) – and his classes typically start by introducing yourself to others in the room accompanied by a hug.

shirt-back-free-hugs-2
credit: Hugs are Nice

The thought of giving hugs to strangers one year ago made me shiver in ick and roll my eyes at the general woo-woo feelings of it all. I generally stayed around my own mat, hugging a couple friends and awkwardly received a few strangers but ultimately felt really, really uncomfortable. I play a contact sport where I have to actively touch my teammates and they sweat all over me and yet I was wrapped in anxiety over a stranger giving me a hug.

That was last year. If you meet me at one of those yoga sessions now, I am actively seeking out people I don’t know in the room and freely giving hugs. #sorrynotsorry

Doing this small act had a big impact on me. Getting over the weirdness of it was a first step; gaining the happiness and connectedness over doing so was a far greater and deeper soul-enriching benefit.

The theme that keeps coming up for me, when reflecting on this last year and brainstorming on how I want 2019 to go, is: DOING. As in, DOING THE WORK.

Or maybe, likely, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!

I’m trying not to have an existential crisis this year, but at times it feels like it. Because I am 41 (howwwwww is my birthday already 4 months away again?!), it is likely sprinkled with a dose of Erikson’s stagnation stage and a dash of a midlife crisis.

By the time I close out 2019, I will be 42 AND done with grad school. Now, I don’t know if that means I’ll have my actual degree yet (because internship hours and completed/approved thesis and what-not), but my actual coursework will be completed. I have to do the work, else I won’t be prepared to present my thesis or pass my oral exam. Or be prepared for any of my upcoming internships. Or to DO THE ACTUAL WORK that comes after completing my degree in sport psychology. What will my consultant business look like? What type of athletes will I be working with? What other state certifications or licensure might I need?

Doing the work also includes incorporating some of the mental skills training techniques into my OWN athletic pursuits. I’m aiming to complete another half marathon this year (Drake Road Races in April) – maybe a marathon in the fall if I stay healthy. And I’m back to playing roller derby in 2019! I’m also doing my first barbell competition this year. And I’m signing up for my first women’s 9-hole golf league. 😬

I think a lot about doing the work, but rarely sit down and take the time to, you know, actually do it.

2018 tested my strength and purpose a lot. When my anxiety is triggered in certain situations — my self-worth in danger — I often relied upon my safety behaviors of avoidance. Like, I wanted to quit everything… including grad school. And not because I didn’t want to learn and pursue this new career, but because it was hard and I was exposed and my intelligence was challenged. Too often in my life I have followed the easy path because of its soft blanket of comfort. And 2018 was finally when I started therapy to change these maladaptive behaviors. I plan to continue this work into 2019. I go to sessions weekly, and together with my therapist we’re challenging a lot of stuff that is uncomfortable (and a lot of times, incredibly sad and defeating when it comes to my core beliefs). Talking about going to therapy and my social anxiety openly – and DOING the work of therapy – has honestly been really helpful. Wrapped in a bow, those ideas summarize what I plan to do more of in 2019 – be more open, more vulnerable…

And give more hugs.

Extra credit:
Want to track your habits? There’s an app for that. But it might not be as effective as you think. {via Vox}
Science says you need more hugs. {via Time}
How to balance Learning and Doing {via For the Interested} for THIS truth gem: “Learning is tempting because it’s hard to “fail” at it. This also makes it an attractive place to hide from the more important work of doing — work that likely will include failure.”

Did I make any goals this year?

- Mel

The approach of July had me thinking about personal mid-year reviews… and after writing down a few things on a to-do list, I didn’t do much reflection beyond that. With the onslaught of social media messages of WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH YOUR LAST 90 DAYS and the like (I guess we’re now onto the last 60, fml, and fuck these online Influencers), there seems to be a death march to accomplish All The Things before you pop that bottle on 12/31/18 at 11:59 p.m.

goal setting FML
What the fuck am I doing?

Am I doing in 2018 what I set out to do at the beginning of the year?

Did I even set any resolutions?

What did I anticipate to happen this year?

How many times did I utter FML?

And if I didn’t blog about it, was any of it true?

Bullshit upon bullshit, etc. etc.

OH BUT WAIT. You were also supposed to make some goals on your birthday, dumbass. Or is it your half-birthday? And say “yes” more. Or less, depending on your flavor of Instagram motivational messages.

I’ll tell you what my personal death march is: finishing this damn degree and anticipating a return to the workplace. FML, I miss having a paycheck.

And then there’s the death march back to the start line after finishing only 13 miles of a 31-mile race. F. M. L.

Did I resolve to not swear as much this year? 🙄🙄🙄

I also have to death march back to therapy because my social anxiety and perfectionism is hell bent on destroying my attempts at achieving even just a little bit of success. Is there a joke about perfectionism and resolutions? Because I feel like there has to be one in there. I’ll ask my therapist. Speaking of therapy and social anxiety — most of which is rooted in rejection or the perception of rejection — I was rejected by four other potential therapists before finding one who would take me on as a new client. I realize that you can only control what you can control, but maybe find less rejection in your life, okay?

I guess that I did make some goals for March, April, and May. Is it a coincidence that I stopped making them after my birthday in May?

Oh crap, my half-birthday is in a few days…

Extra Reading
An Open Letter to Those Who Have No Ambition, No Goals, and No Dreams. {via A Conscious Rethink}
100 Days with No Goals {via The Minimalists}

Goals for May – and April updates

- Mel

I am busy. I know, that’s like a big no-no word these days. I am intentionally busy. And maybe because the weather is SUPER NICE (outside of that tornado passing through on Thursday canceling my plans for running-and-margaritas), but I feel energized by all the events taking place and not the least bit like a social anxiety hermit. One would say (read: my school work) that I am distracted by the outdoors right now but I won’t feel bad about that one bit. (Wo)man, if I’m being honest, motivation for grad school is so low right now… but history says that it will soon peak again.

Image source: Lifehack

Summary and review on my goals for April:

1. Adapt intentional practice to my daily meditation. Ehhhh, no. I’m still doing meditation every day but I am still using nearly session to help me fall asleep. So am I really doing relaxation and not meditation? Likely. I still hope to modify my practice and/or get back to morning meditations. I wasn’t very intentional about this in April but I am slowly making progress so far in May.

2. Visit a new art exhibit or revisit the Art Center. I went to Pappajohn Sculpture Park to view the new Kusama pumpkin, which KINDDDDAAAA fits the intention. But. BUT! Yesterday, I went to the First Fridays event at Mainframe Studios, and it was super fun to explore the space. And we came home with art!

3. Create and execute a (somewhat flawless) one-hour workshop! Executed and somewhat flawless! I’m really proud of myself for rolling with some of the challenges that were presented during the session and tweaked and changed course when necessary. It was excellent practice for me!

4. Visit a Des Moines coffee shop. I went to a Caribou. Seriously. Not even close to what I had in mind.

5. Get my bike tuned up and go to a Women on Adventures bike ride event. I ended up tuning my bike myself the day before the event (take that, procrastination!) and didn’t flake out on attending. It was one of my most favorite adventures in Des Moines so far. I got in 27 miles, got to see the High Trestle Trail Bridge (and a few local establishments along the trail), and I’m SO HAPPY about the new connections I made (I already have another bike date set for June)!

Also, while it wasn’t an intentional goal, in April I ran a .10 mile further (22.9 miles) than I did in March (22.8 miles)! I’m back to running three times per week and doing 20-30 minute workouts that are heart rate-focused. I am incorporating my PT exercises into either my run or strength days, and working with a personal trainer has been helpful to get familiar with the weight room again while also having a supervisor to ensure I am activating my glutes! It takes a lot of mental energy to be mindful about my workouts but it’s all for the greater good of my body working properly. This is my second go-around with a Lifetime Fitness membership, and in March I visited more days that I did for an entire six months when I previously was a member. (Does that sentence even make sense?)

So, what do I have on tap for May? It’s mostly school-centric because there is a LOT of shit to do still for this quarter, like, um… finishing my first draft of my lit review that’s due on Sunday:

  • Find a participant (local athlete or likewise individual interested in performance coaching) for a recorded session. Interested and live in Des Moines area? Get in touch!
  • Find a GROUP for a recorded team building session.
  • Decide on AirBnb for my my upcoming summer internship in California and get that booked (I already have a group of fellow cohorts that I’ll be rooming with).
  • STUDY FOR MY COMP EXAM. Eeeeeeeek. My exam date is May 31-June 1, and… well, I need to start focusing.
  • Turn 41 with grace and positivity (and hopefully with friends and some wine and/or cheese).

Unrelated to school, my additional intentions for physical activity:

  • Do yoga once per week.
  • Return to boxing (YAY!) at least 2x per week.
  • Start running on trails again (at least once every other week).
  • Bike once at least every other week.
  • Practice my golf swing at least once per week outside of my clinics.

Time to get to work.

Goals for April – and March Updates

- Mel

BIG FEAR has been a theme around which much of my goal work has focused. What am I afraid of? has been a constant in considering some of the reasons why I either a) don’t end up doing something or b) freaking out needlessly. I have neither the mission of letting others down or creating undue stress for myself. So, I persist in exploring why fear continues to come up for me.

Let’s recap first for March:

1. Find one day every other week – at least 2 hours – where I am working outside of my home. This did not happen this month; however, I DID leave the house quite a bit this month – just not with the intention of work.
2. Connect with a friend – old or new – each and every week. DONE. This small act has made me so happy this month!
3. Do 3 things out of my comfort zone this month. I didn’t necessarily keep track of the quantity but I kept the ultimate goal of getting out of my comfort zone as a recurring theme of the month. So much so, that I submitted an application to do a workshop at a youth camp and OMG I HAVE TO ACTUALLY FOLLOW THROUGH THIS MONTH.
4. Visit one new local establishment, restaurant, shop, museum. Yes! My husband and I went to THREE new (to me) restaurants this month (801 Chophouse, Splash, and Aposto), and I met with friends at four new places (Gong Fu Tea, The Hall, The Wine Experience, and Z Mariks). I really took advantage of Spring Break. In April, I would like to do more than restaurant or drinking establishments.
5. Start a reflection journal for school. Ugh, I still haven’t started this. It’s now spring semester and will I ever? I need to explore more why I initially set this intention and haven’t been able to follow through. More to come on that reflection.
6. Publish a new One Word Project post. Yes! Read my latest post.

As I previously mentioned, spring quarter is in full swing. I am taking five classes – including starting my coursework for my corresponding Entrepreneurship Certificate. I’m excited about all my classes right now and I am also realistic that this workload doesn’t offer much “free” time to focus on other areas. And also, see #3 above where I have to create and implement a youth workshop. *gulp*

In any event, here is what I put together for April:

1. I am already doing a daily meditation – in fact, I am currently on a 54-day streak! That said, many of those times have been a OMG I’M IN BED AND I FORGOT TO DO MY MEDITATION. So I play the guided sleep meditation. Meditation is meditation (and this session in particular, while only a few minutes helps me sleep like a freaking baby)… BUT. I want to make it more of an intentional practice rather than another “thing to do” on my bedtime task list. So my goal is to at least 3x per week to do my meditation in the morning or afternoon for at least 10 minutes.

2. I want to visit the Des Moines Art Center, or a different gallery or see a new exhibition at least once this month.

3. Create and execute a (somewhat flawless) one-hour workshop!

4. I started making a Des Moines coffee shop list. There are SO MANY that I haven’t yet been. I’m already driving into downtown twice a week for physical therapy, so at least once a week, I’m going to hit one of those on my list.

5. Get my bike into Rasmussen for a season tune-up. I have a Women on Adventures event planned for the end of April, for which I’ll need my bike!

This sounds like a good place to start! What’s on your goal list for April?

Injury Mode: Making Goals

- Mel

One of the best things to do when you’re injured is to work on goal-setting — to navigate your rehabilitation plan and keep motivation to do those rehab exercises, AND to keep a connection to your sport and stay positive in returning to play. It does no good to sit around and be depressed about not being as active as I was (though I did allow myself a good cry fest). In order to get better, I need to put my positive energy into recovering. I’m also applying some imagery techniques, as there are studies that indicate use of such can help athletes improve faster.

My goals:

  • Run a 50k again this October. This means that I have to be injury symptom-free come June when training is expected to start.
  • Roller skate outdoors this summer. Man, I had some roller skate fun already on the calendar in the next few months, but it’s probably going to be a while before I can actively skate this again. See: GOALS!
  • Return to boxing. I really, really miss my 3x a week stress release and high-intensity workouts. I’m hoping to come back soon at least to a lower-impact version before I’m able to actively jump around on my left foot again. For now, I’m minding my PT’s advice to rest.
  • Return to weekly yoga. This is something that seriously bummed me out. Yoga has always been my active recovery, but with an injured Achilles, most of the poses aren’t conducive to helping my tendon heal. I’m sure that I could modify but not even being able to do Downward Dog makes things overly complicated for me and I frankly don’t want to put the burden on my instructor.

My physical therapy plan includes two sessions a week with exercises targeting the injured area and use of whatever that muscle/tendon tool they use that feels like I’m being shredded from the inside-out. In these sessions, I’m also working on core and hip weakness (with at-home exercises as well). Meanwhile, my weekly workouts have included a lot of core and upper body strength work with free weights (just a couple times per week). I’m going to incorporate a couple days of stationary cycling into my schedule starting this week.

I’m thankfully not in a lot of pain and this injury doesn’t require the use of any medication for swelling. I had a brief episode of my ankle feeling really stiff with a dull and constant discomfort over the weekend, though this morning I’m walking much better and without as much limp in my gait. The ankle is still tight but not stiff like it was yesterday. I’m on spring break this week, so not a lot of stress to worry about impacting me physically or mentally. Taking things easy and staying in good spirits by reconnecting with friends since I have all this free time!

Have you ever made an injury or rehab plan? What are some of the goals (or exercises) that helped you recover?

Goals for March

- Mel

I didn’t get much into resolutions for 2018, being that I am V.FOCUSED on grad school. Though as the first few months of the year have unfolded and I find myself into new rhythms of my personal and professional life, I needed to be more intentional about a few things.

I set a book goal at the beginning of the year, challenging myself to read two books per month, and I’m actually one book ahead right now! I started a daily meditation practice a few weeks ago, too, and I am already recognizing the benefit of it – but also seeing the difficulty of attempting to do something every.single.day. Especially for 10 minutes! That sounds so silly that I cannot sit still for ten whole minutes, but there are some days where it is exceptionally painful (not physically).

I am a work in progress!

That said, the nightly sleep meditations put my ass RIGHT down that I can barely countdown to 997 before I realize that I’m awakening and it’s morning.

Trying something new… badly.

Here’s what I got for March:

1. I haven’t done this yet, but I plan to find one day every other week – at least 2 hours – where I am working outside of my home. I miss Coffee Shop Life, and I have yet to explore some of the awesome local establishments since moving to Des Moines. This also fulfills two areas of interest for me. Note to self: remember to bring your charge cords next time?

2. Connect with a friend – old or new – each and every week. Real conversations on the phone and in-person have done beautiful things for my happiness. I am answering the phone (GASP!). I am returning calls. I am being intentional about meeting up with friends – and connecting with people I’ve met here locally and haven’t been good about regularly keeping in touch.

3. Do 3 things out of my comfort zone this month. This is a good number that is realistic but challenging, and also considers my energy levels and weeks where my school workload ebb-and-flows.

4. Visit one new local establishment, restaurant, shop, museum. Again, this kind of piggy-backs on my first goal, but I have a list of places that I want to visit and it’s time to start exploring.

5. Start a reflection journal for school. This was a goal that I set for myself at the beginning of the quarter in January, and I STILL haven’t started it. Geesh.

I guess if I would have to pick a word for the year, it would be “intentional.” Maybe I should add that to my One Word Project! I’d also like to get another one of those posts up this month. So I guess that I have 6 goals this month!

hello and high five greeting cards des moines

TOOT TOOT!

This month celebrates women, with this past Thursday celebrating International Women’s Day. Come over to Hello & High Five to read an interview with me – one of their featured “She-roes” – where I share my own motivations and goals, how I made friends after moving to Des Moines, who my own women heroes are, and how I “do it all” (spoiler alert: I can’t!).

Looking Forward to 2017 (and the Big Goal Failures of 2016)

- Mel

Hooray! Marathon Training Week has arrived! I’m starting off my 20-week training cycle with a Rest Day (duh) after a few weeks off of training (two weeks off running altogether) and working a lot on strength and attending regular weekly yoga classes. This seemed like a good day to reflect more on last year’s goals, as I set off for new achievements in 2017.

A lot of things changed in 2016, including the goals that I set for running. For starters, I had no idea in setting these goals that I would be living in a different place; so by March when we made our big move to Des Moines, I knew it would take some time to not only adjust but also get back into a running grove. Strangely, I spent the early part of 2016 dealing with some weird knee pain during my runs and then another 6 months or so of a foot issue – I was convinced it was a stress fracture. Though an x-ray showed nothing… and it basically stopped bothering me after that same doctor’s appointment. WEIRDNESS. In any event… these were my 5 Goals for 2016:

Run a 2-hour half marathon
700 miles for the year
Run another full marathon
Do a Ragnar or 50k
Run in costume

WELP.

I did PR my half marathon, but I have another 12 minutes to shave off before meeting that 2-hour goal.
I ran 512.97 miles in 2016, and while an increase over the 28.18 miles I completed in 2015, it was not anywhere close to 700!
Maybe if I trained and ran that full marathon. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
There were no ultras or Ragnars for me — but I did discover trail running!
And I never had enough confidence to be in costume during a race (though I did have a lot of fun this year).

I didn’t feel like this year was one big failure though AT ALL. I really enjoyed most of my race experiences and the challenge of trail racing completed a really awesome year for me. I left 2016 feeling REALLY accomplished and ready to take on bigger challenges this year.

So what’s next?
What’s that saying: If at first you don’t succeed, try try again? I had a lot of fun getting faster this year — when a PR slaps you in the face multiple times, there’s no way to not feel a sense of accomplishment from all the hard work. This year while I’m not quite so focused on time goals, I do want to be sure that I realize my full potential.

And that’s what I plan to do: TRAIN HARD.

Oh yeah, and in 2017 I’ll find myself in a new age group and being called things, like, a Masters runner.

That said, my 2017 goals look pretty similar to 2016:

running-goals-for-2017

I have a pretty full running schedule for the year (with accompanying PTO already requested), and I’m really excited about how this year will unfold — particularly the destination races that I’m registered for. I’m running 2 marathons in 2017 (Vermont City and Chicago), so there’s a good chance of maybe possibly getting a marathon PR (Though it’s not really my focus this year, I know sometimes these things happen organically).

Chicago will be something of a training run for MY FIRST 50K. Yep, I signed up for the GOATz 50k that happens in October. Several people in my trail running circle have said it’s a great beginner 50k. Plus there is a really amazing trail running community in the Omaha area!

I’m signed up for my first Ragnar race in March — with complete strangers (well, with internet friends who I haven’t met yet IRL)! I have a lot to learn still about these races and I’m sure the experience will push me out of my comfort zone in a completely new way.

Another goal this year is to volunteer and continue supporting the running community in different ways. I intend to sign up for a race day Cheer or Aid Station to support my fellow local runners and be more involved with organizations like Girls on the Run and the Courage League. I participated in Girls on the Run this fall as a Running Buddy, and it was an incredible experience; I really want to focus on giving back even more next year.

Mileage goals? Meh. The miles will come, and I know a year with two marathons and a 50k will likely push me over the 1,000 mark in 2017. But I’m going to let all that come naturally. I was intentional with my race scheduling to allow for some down time, with plenty of recovery weeks to prevent burnout and injury.

I may or may not gain enough confidence to wear a costume in 2017, but I want to encourage those who do. I want to be surrounded by people who challenge me and who can also make me laugh and help pass the miles — because there will be a lot of them this year! I’ve already made some amazing connections being part of the BibRave community as an ambassador in 2016, and I get the opportunity to continue that partnership in 2017. Likewise, I’m already looking forward to exploring more trails with the CS Turkeys and gaining All The Knowledge about running an Ultra.

This is going to be an awesome year! But first… MARATHON TRAINING.

New running goals, new headphones.

- Mel

I need a workout playlist to keep myself motivated to run (hello Marathon relay training!) and endure through tough uncoached workout sessions (I’m drowning out the guys who won’t leave me alone to my weights and machines, for real). But boy do I have a real problem with earbuds. Forget the ones that come with an iPhone — they were definitely not designed with small ear canals in mind; no, not even you “redesigned” iPhone 5 ‘buds. The current pair I use for exercise fit into my ear (thank you, Five Below impulse purchase), but I need to wrap around my headband in order to keep located within my ears area. And then there’s the problem with WHERE DO I PUT ALL THESE WIRES?!

It’s all very #firstworldproblems.

I’ve been looking around for other options of headphones to purchase, especially ones that are wire-free and runner-friendly. Enter: Jaybird.

Jaybird creates state-of-the-art headphones for active lifestyles. The company has a variety of bluetooth headphones that are perfect for every sport and activity! Plus, they have GOOD quality audio, which helps me train away the nagging YOU WILL NEVER BE A RUNNER thoughts that run through my head. Who keeps saying that?!

BlueBuds are the smallest Bluetooth headphones in the world — with remarkable playtime — and are possibly the most progressive headphones available.

Some other sweet benefits:

  • BlueBuds come with multiple size ear buds for comfort AND an over/under-ear fit options. Over-ear lifts cord off the neck, liberating your workout.
  • Do you know about the relationship between white noise and headphones? All other headsets produce listener fatigue. Pure Sound features in these BlueBuds filter white noise out for a better listening experience.
  • BlueBuds have an 8-hour battery life and charge via micro USB.
  • All JayBird products have a lifetime sweat-proof guarantee. I won’t get into sweat issues. If you’re a fitness enthusiast, you know.
  • Compatible with iPhone, iPod Nano and Touch, iPad mini and Android models — basically any bluetooth-enabled stereo device.

Extreme athlete approved… Oh, hey CrossFit athletes:

I bet these would even be awesome for derby, pre-bout warmup too.

Voice prompts? You have my attention, Jenna. With voice prompts, getting to your first track is smooth and simple: put your headphones on, hold the power button and Jenna takes over saying “power on” then “headphones connected.” Push play and your music begins. I’m also digging the music and call controls to change tracks and volume without having to fumble with my iPhone through its armband case.

A special bonus for my 30-something workout warriors: Jaybird is giving away a pair of BlueBuds headphones every. single. day. Giveaway ends December 8, 2013; and one winner is selected daily. You can enter-to-win every day.

Christmas is coming! Wouldn’t these make the perfect gift idea for your fellow fitness enthusiasts! I know these BlueBuds are going on my wish list this year. But I’m definitely entering the daily contest too (Merry Christmas to me!).
30-something approved: BlueBuds retail at $169.95, available in storm white or midnight black, sold via the Jaybird website.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of JayBird.